
Should You Shave Before a Tattoo Session
Learn whether you should shave before a tattoo session, why hair removal matters and why it is usually best left to your tattoo artist.
Should You Shave Before a Tattoo Session
When preparing for a tattoo appointment, people often wonder about the little details that could affect the process. One of the most common questions is whether you should shave before a tattoo session. Since tattoos are applied directly to the skin, any hair on the chosen area does need to be removed, but whether you should do this yourself or leave it to the artist is an important point to understand.
Why Hair Removal Matters
Tattoos are applied using needles that insert ink into the skin. For the artist to work accurately, the area must be clear and smooth. Hair can interfere with the stencil application, make lines less precise and increase the risk of ink not settling evenly. Removing hair also reduces the chance of bacteria becoming trapped during the process, which helps keep the area hygienic.
Should You Shave Yourself
Although it might feel polite or helpful to shave before your appointment, most professional tattoo artists prefer to take care of this step themselves. Shaving incorrectly or too soon before your session can lead to small nicks, cuts or razor burn, which makes the skin more sensitive and harder to tattoo. Damaged skin may even force the artist to postpone your appointment. If you are unsure, it is always best to leave shaving to the professional so they can prepare the skin safely.
Risks of Shaving Too Early
If you decide to shave the area yourself, timing is crucial. Shaving the night before may seem sensible, but even this can sometimes leave micro cuts or irritation. When the tattooing process begins, these small marks can feel more painful and may affect how well the ink settles. Shaving too far in advance also means that regrowth could have started by the time of your session. To avoid complications, most artists recommend leaving hair removal to them on the day.
Studio Hygiene Practices
Reputable tattoo studios in the UK follow strict hygiene practices, which include preparing the skin before tattooing. This preparation usually involves cleaning the area with antiseptic and then shaving using a sterile disposable razor. The artist ensures the skin is smooth and disinfected before applying the stencil, which gives the best conditions for both accuracy and healing. Knowing this is part of the process can save you the worry of preparing the skin yourself.
Aftercare and Regrowth
Once the tattoo is complete, hair will eventually grow back over the area as normal. This does not interfere with the tattoo itself, as the ink is placed in the dermis beneath the surface of the skin. During healing, it is important not to shave over the fresh tattoo, as this can remove scabs, irritate the skin and slow recovery. Wait until your tattoo is fully healed before resuming shaving in that area.
Final Thoughts
While shaving is an essential part of tattoo preparation, it is generally best left to the tattoo artist. They have the right tools and techniques to ensure the skin is properly prepared without damage or irritation. Trying to shave yourself beforehand can create more problems than it solves, so trust your artist to handle this step. By focusing on arriving well rested, hydrated and with healthy skin, you give both yourself and your artist the best chance of a smooth and successful session.