Shaving, waxing and tweezing are three hair removal methods commonly utilized by both men and women with tattoos; however, these processes take longer and don’t lead to permanent results.
Laser hair removal can also be utilized effectively; however, care must be taken when placing tattoos near laser treatment areas. Allow plenty of distance between yourself and any potential laser beam exposure points.
Waxing
Tattooing and hair removal are both ways of expressing yourself, but sometimes these processes don’t mix well together. Shaving can damage tattoos over time, leaving patches behind that fade over time – waxing offers an effective solution without harming body art.
If you have recently gotten a tattoo, it is wise to wait until it has fully healed before initiating any form of hair removal. This will prevent injuries like cuts and scrapes that could cause your ink to fade over time and discolor over time.
Fresh tattoos must also be properly cared for to prevent infection, which means cleansing the skin with gentle soap such as Gold Dial Antibacterial Soap ($2) in bar or liquid form and only using your hands; no washcloth or loofah are to be used when cleansing your tattoo. Once clean, replenish its moisture level using Aquaphor Healing Ointment ($10) before moving on with daily activities.
Avoid shaving or plucking hair around a tattoo until it has fully healed, as shaving may create ingrown hairs which lead to scabbing and other damage that could erode its color or fade it altogether. Scabbing may also trap bacteria under your skin leading to infection.
If you decide to shave, make sure you use a new razor with fresh blades, shaving in the direction in which the hair grows. Also consider shaving gel rather than dry shaving as dry shaving can result in cuts and ingrown hairs which could potentially harm your tattoo.
Laser hair removal can be used to effectively eradicate unwanted hair, however this method should never be employed near tattoos due to how its light absorbs pigment from tattoo ink and causes its ink to fade or discolor over time.
Electrolysis is the only permanent hair removal treatment that does not adversely affect tattoo ink, operating by sending small amounts of electricity through an insulated probe into each hair follicle, dissolving it without harming any tattoo ink beneath its surface. Electrolysis takes several sessions and must be carried out sequentially so as to treat each follicle thoroughly.
Threading
Threading may appear to be an elementary method for hair removal, but its precision is often underestimated. According to Joey Healy of New York-based Bee Inked Tattoo Parlor, “threading uses thread to grab individual follicles and pull them out without cutting,” as part of its precise mechanism. Additionally, with this method a single thread moves rapidly across your face in a swift motion to pull multiple hairs at once out.
Although often associated with eyebrows (hence its name), epilation is also an effective hair-removal technique for other areas of the face–particularly more delicate or wispier strands. Perfect for people with sensitive skin as it uses no chemicals and doesn’t irritate or cause redness to the skin, and is far less painful than waxing and more precise than tweezing.
Threading involves first cleaning off the area with soap and water before using alcohol to swab the eyebrows to prevent infection. They will then ask you to sit in a reclining chair so they can access all surfaces of the eyebrows at once, and begin their mini-lassoing technique – effectively cutting your threads out with precision!
Threaders will usually hold the long strand between their teeth and fingers or wear some kind of chain around their neck to keep it steady as they work. Once thread is in their hands, they’ll twist it to create knots in the middle before rolling it over areas with unwanted hair; this way the thread acts like a miniature lasso to pluck out hair by its root.
Threading may be new to Western audiences, but its history dates back centuries in Eastern countries like India and Pakistan. More mainstream than ever before, credible threading professionals can now be found in most major cities – it’s important that any salon you choose be safe and clean, using fresh thread, scissors and brushes that adhere to hygiene protocols.
Skilled practitioners can perform threading within minutes, while extended times could indicate they’re going too fast and risk cutting the skin, leading to painful infections.
Tweezing
Hirsutism (excess hair growth) can be more than an inconvenient cosmetic issue; it can also be emotionally distressing, especially among people living with polycystic ovarian syndrome, which often causes unwanted hair growth on the face and scalp. Some people who struggle with hirsutism turn to tweezing as an effective hair removal solution; however, for tattoo owners looking for safe removal methods tweezing may not be ideal as its forceful action might damage their precious body art.
Tweezing hair near a tattoo while it’s healing could result in lasting damage to its colors and design. Hair removal creams work on the epidermis; using one directly over your tattoo could strip away top layers of skin, including any color pigments present within its ink, leading to faded, lighter in color or bleed through tattoos on nearby skin.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, depilatory hair removal cream can be safely applied around tattooed skin if you follow product instructions. Prior to applying it to any large area of skin, perform a patch test first in a smaller patch of skin first.
Tweezing hairs that grow out of moles or acne on the face should also be avoided as this may lead to irritation and inflammation in these areas. Tweezing out pimple hairs could also rupture their pustules and spread bacteria onto surrounding skin areas.
No matter where your tattoos are on your body, electrolysis is an excellent permanent and effective solution to safely remove unwanted hair. Electrolysis uses an electric current to destroy hair follicles and thus prevent future hair growth – to learn more about its benefits contact us now!
Laser Hair Removal
If waxing, shaving and depilation creams don’t meet your hair removal needs, laser hair removal may be your perfect solution for permanent hair reduction. Laser hair removal provides an effective means of permanently decreasing hair growth without harming the skin and without side effects such as ingrown hairs or razor burns. Unfortunately however, laser treatment isn’t advised in tattooed areas due to laser’s attraction towards pigmentation – when hit by it the ink absorbs energy causing damage to surrounding tissue resulting in the fade out or even total disappearance of ink within days! However this treatment should also not be performed on tattooed areas due to laser’s attraction to pigmentation which means when hit it could fade out ink permanently; in such instances damage to both body artifacts as well as damage done from tattooed surfaces!
Keep in mind that lasers designed for hair removal and tattoo removal have different wavelengths. If a tattoo is targeted with a hair removal laser, its pigment could absorb and release heat which could damage skin tissue or even erase ink altogether.
At any reputable clinic with licensed and experienced technicians, it is also vital that they assess the condition of your tattoo before determining its safety for laser treatment. They will also make sure the technician uses an appropriate device with wavelength matched specifically to avoid potential issues with your treatment plan.
Though the risk of damaging a tattoo with laser treatment meant for hair removal is relatively low, it’s wise to be prudent. Seek advice from either a dermatologist or qualified tattoo technician prior to undergoing any laser therapy treatment on an area containing tattoos to ensure optimal results without adverse side effects.
As opposed to time-consuming and ineffective methods such as waxing, shaving or depilation products for hair removal, laser treatment offers a much quicker and longer-term solution. By taking proper steps with technique and care when performing laser hair removal over body art, laser can offer lasting benefits without worrying about discoloration or faded tattoos. If you want more information about safely eliminating unwanted hair from tattoos with laser, reach out today and arrange for a consultation!
