Can I Shave With a New Tattoo?
Tattoos are a unique way to adorn your body with art that means something to you. However, as exciting as getting freshly inked may be, you can’t forget that there is also aftercare involved. In order for your tattoo to heal beautifully, there are things that must be done. That said, aftercare instructions tend to forget an important facet of some people’s daily routines: shaving. Can you shave with a new tattoo? Does shaving too soon damage your new ink? Let’s delve into these questions to see how shaving impacts your tattoo and how to do it correctly.
A Look at the Tattoo Healing Process
To comprehend why you should wait before shaving over a new tattoo, it’s important to understand the healing process that tattoos undergo. When you get a tattoo, the tattoo machine punctures your skin to deposit ink into the deeper layers. This process creates an open wound that your body works diligently to heal for several months. The initial healing stages involve scabbing, peeling, and the formation of a new layer of skin over the tattooed area, usually during the first 2 to 3 weeks. This protective layer seals in the ink and ensures that the design heals properly.
After that, the scabbing begins to flake away, revealing the seemingly healed tattoo underneath. However, while your top layer of skin may be healed, the layers beneath are still tending to the wound.
Can You Shave With a New Tattoo?
Not a brand new one, no. Shaving over a healing tattoo prematurely can disrupt this delicate healing process and lead to a range of issues. The open wound can be susceptible to contamination from shaving products, dirt, grime, or bacteria. This significantly increases the risk of infection, which can be detrimental to the healing tattoo and your overall health.
Additionally, shaving too soon can remove scabs or peeling skin, which are essential components of the healing process. These scabs protect the newly formed skin beneath and play a crucial role in the development of your tattoo’s final appearance. If scabs are prematurely removed, you may inadvertently take away some of the ink along with them, leading to patchy or faded areas in your tattoo.
In short, you need to wait until the scabbing and flaking process is done before you can truly shave.
When Can You Shave With a New Tattoo?
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to avoid shaving directly over your new tattoo for the first month. This timeline provides ample time for the healing process to progress naturally and for scabs to fall off without interference. After two weeks, most of the scabbing should have subsided, although the skin may still appear slightly milky or tender.
However, even after two weeks, exercising caution is paramount. If your tattoo has noticeable scabs, bumps, or peeling skin, it’s advisable to hold off on shaving until these have fully healed. Shaving over such areas can cause discomfort, irritation, or damage, which is counterproductive to the healing process.
How to Safely Shave With New Ink
When a couple of weeks to a month has passed, your tattoo should be ready for a shave. However, you can’t approach the process as you normally would. There are several steps to take to ensure that your shave is safe and gentle.
1. Select Your Products
In your aftercare instructions, you will notice that unscented moisturizers, lotions, and soaps are recommended. When you go to shave for the first time after getting fresh ink, this needs to be kept in mind. Avoid using shaving products that contain harsh chemicals, additives, or fragrances that could irritate the healing tattoo. Natural shaving creams or mild soaps are the safest choices.
Also, you want to avoid chemical hair removers. These products can interfere with the healing process and potentially cause burns or other skin problems. It’s advisable to wait a full month for your tattoo to heal before considering any form of hair removal.
2. Make the Water Lukewarm
Using warmer water will hope to open the pores, ensuring that you can get a cleaner shave. This also helps your tattoo stay clean during your shave.
3. Use a Fresh Razor Blade
Fresh blades are clean and rust-free, reducing the chance of contaminants getting into your still-healing tattoo. Plus, fresh blades are sharper, giving you a more precise shave and less irritation.
4. Use Proper Technique
Shaving isn’t difficult—until you have to navigate around scabs and irritated skin. Be sure to shave in the direction the hair is growing to minimize irritation and go slow. You do not want to rush through this. Any peeling and scabbing must be avoided, otherwise, you may reopen the wound. At any time you feel discomfort when shaving around your new tattoo, stop immediately.
5. Moisturize Post-Shave
After shaving, rinse the area with cold water to close the pores and apply a moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated. Proper hydration is essential, as shaving can sometimes lead to dryness.
Benefits of Shaving Over a Tattoo
Once your tattoo is completely healed, shaving over it has some benefits, including:
- Removing excess hair enhances the visibility of your tattoo’s intricate details and vibrant colors.
- Shaving eliminates dead skin cells, leading to a brighter and more defined tattoo appearance.
- Regular shaving can prevent the formation of ingrown hairs, which could otherwise lead to pimples or blisters on your tattooed skin.
Looking For a Philadelphia Tattoo Shop?
Can you shave over a new tattoo? No, you shouldn’t. It’s crucial to allow your tattoo to heal fully before introducing any grooming activities, including shaving. A month of healing time allows scabs to naturally fall off and the protective layer of new skin to form, safeguarding the integrity of your tattoo. Remember, preserving your ink comes first; grooming can be done later.
The artists at Oracle Tattoo Gallery in Bensalem, PA are passionate about great tattoos but also aftercare. We make sure you love your work from the first stencil to months after healing. If you are thinking about adding more ink to your collection or have been thinking about getting your first tattoo for a while, then reach out to Oracle Tattoo Gallery today at 215-638-1601.
