Tattoo artists shave the skin in the area that is to be tattooed before each procedure. Shaving prevents hair follicles from being forced into a tattoo and causing ingrown hairs during the tattoo healing process. A crisp stencil application is also a benefit and result of shaving the area. This hair will grow back while the tattoo is healing, and removing the hair will result in a more visible tattoo.
Hair Removal
Do not remove hair from a tattooed area of the skin until the tattoo is healed completely. For some, the tattoo healing process will take two weeks, while others may have a healing process of over a month. If you are not certain if your tattoo is healed, have your tattoo artist look at the skin to confirm the condition. Remove the hair once all of the scabs and peeling skin of the tattoo are gone.
The most cost-effective hair removal technique for tattooed skin is shaving. Shaving the hair that has grown over the tattoo can be done at home after the tattoo is healed. Women and male athletes, such as swimmers, benefit from this technique because they already shave their legs on a daily basis, therefore not adding any elements to their hair removal routine if their tattoo is on the legs. Shaving a tattooed body part is cheaper than waxing and hair removal. When there is a large tattoo, such as a back piece or sleeve, other hair removal options will add up monetarily from several required removal sessions.
Using a razor to shave the tattooed area is less painful than waxing or laser hair removal. There is no need to wait for the hair to grow to a certain length for it to be removed when shaving, so the person will have instant results instead of several weeks of hair growth.
Moisturize the tattooed area after shaving over the skin. Moisturizer will soften rough skin to allow it to appear more translucent. The more translucent the top layer of skin, the more visible and bright the tattoo will appear.