How to Calm Red and Irritated Skin After Waxing

redness after waxing treatment

 Stocksy

Waxing is one of the most efficient ways to remove hair, but of course, that efficiency potentially comes with a price—redness and irritation after your wax. If you've fallen victim to irritated skin after waxing, don't worry. We spoke with three board-certified dermatologists to get all the info on how to calm your skin and prevent redness from happening in the first place.

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Meet the Expert

What Causes Redness and Irritation After a Wax?

One of the most common side effects of waxing is some degree of redness or inflammation at the site that's just been waxed. Shokeen explains, "Irritated skin after waxing is often caused by the removal of hair from the follicles, which can leave the skin sensitive and inflamed. It can also occur due to improper waxing technique, overly sensitive skin, or allergic reactions to waxing products." Usually, you'll see it pop up right after the waxing, particularly if you're sensitive. No worries though, because it generally subsides over the course of the day. There are ways to relieve it faster than just waiting it out, though.

How to Prevent Irritation From Waxing

But before we talk about relief, we have to talk about prevention. Your skin isn't supposed to be red and irritated for more than a few minutes. First, it seems obvious, but you need to make sure the wax doesn't contain any ingredients you're allergic to that can leave you unnecessarily red. Typically, waxes are made of resin, but that's not always the case. They also may be based on a certain ingredient other than the resin: tea tree, lavender, and cocoa are all popular choices. Plenty, also, are made up of artificial colors, fragrances, and ingredients. While you can be allergic to almost anything—natural or not—artificial ingredients are allergic triggers for many. Don't forget about checking the products you're using for prepping the skin, removing the wax, and soothing the skin as well.

If you're getting it done professionally, you should be asked to fill out a form to make sure you're compatible with waxing and list any allergies. "Having sensitive or eczema prone skin at baseline can make you more susceptible to irritation after waxing. The heat from the wax itself can cause irritation if too hot, as can proper technique if pulled too quickly, not held taut, etc. Some patients also have a true allergic reaction to the wax itself," explains Penzi. Don't be afraid to speak up before waxing, and tell the technician of anything you're allergic to, and ask them to write it on your client profile to avoid future reactions. You can also ask them about the products they use. 

And before you go into your wax, Shokeen recommends to exfoliate the skin, avoid using retinol or exfoliating acids, and make that your skin is clean and dry before waxing.

What Should I Avoid Before Waxing?

If you know you have a wax on the schedule or you're planning to go to the DIY route, there are a few things you want to avoid to make sure you don't get irritated skin. "Before waxing, avoid using products with retinol, exfoliating acids, or alcohol-based toners, as these can increase skin sensitivity and the risk of irritation. Also make sure that you use SPF regularly after," advises Shokeen.

How to Wax At Home

"Although I recommend seeing a professional in general for waxing, you can wax at home if you are careful and take certain safety precautions," recommends Penzi. She goes on to add, "First, cleanse the skin to remove any dirt, oil, or bacteria from the skin surface. If the wax requires heating, be sure it is not too hot to avoid a burn. Apply the wax in the direction of hair growth and remove it quickly in one swift motion in the opposite direction. Be sure to apply a soothing gel or lotion afterwards to avoid irritation. Risks to at-home waxing, if not done properly, include irritation, burns, infection, post inflammatory pigment change, and even permanent scarring."

And a note—if you're waxing yourself, you need to be sure to apply pre-epilation powder after cleansing if using soft wax, and pre-epilation oil if you're using hard wax. These will act as a buffer, so the wax adheres more to the hair and not the skin. It lessens the amount of redness, and also conveniently prevents skin from being torn off in the process. 

Byrdie Tip

Before you begin waxing, check the temperature of the wax first by putting a bit on the back of your hand.

"It is good to have a little hair visible at the time of wax and some people say at least 1/4 of an inch to give the wax something to grab onto to be effective. It is okay to shower post wax and for many people it can be helpful to rinse off any residual wax or aftercare products," says Garshick. Be sure you're holding the skin taut while pulling hair out to keep skin from being tugged on too much. Use a wax made for sensitive skin; cream-based products often work well. Don't wax over an area more than once, as this can cause you to become very red and inflamed, not to mention removing your skin, too.               

If you've opted to go to a salon or spa, remember: Just because someone is licensed to remove hair doesn't mean they're good at waxing. Most techs will properly clean and prep skin, use the right type of wax for your skin and hair type, apply and remove the product correctly, and soothe skin immediately after the service. If your tech doesn't clean or prep your skin, run for the hills. All of these things can make a difference regarding how red or irritated you become.

Soothe Your Skin After Waxing

After removing hair and removing wax residue, apply an after-wax cooling product like the long-time-favorite GiGi After Wax Cooling Gel, ($8,) or an aloe based gel meant to help soothe skin and subdue the redness and inflammation. Shokeen adds, "Use aloe vera gel, witch hazel (make sure you do not have a sensitivity before using, or a gentle moisturizer to alleviate redness and inflammation. Avoid tight clothing and excessive sun exposure to prevent further irritation."

Tea bags brewed and then cooled placed on the eyes might also help after waxing the brows. Ice, an ice-pack, or a bag of frozen vegetables can also help reduce inflammation. That said, you should never put ice directly on your skin—use a piece of gauze between your skin and whatever frozen product you choose. If you have somewhere to go and don't want everyone there to know you just got waxed, try applying some light powder makeup. Because it's light on the skin, it allows it to breathe more than liquid foundation and concealer.

Garshick adds, "If the skin appears cracked or chapped, it may be helpful to apply a thicker moisturizing ointment such as Vaseline Healing Ointment or Aquaphor to help the skin heal and protect from further irritation. if the skin still appears red and irritated, it may be best to speak with a board-certified dermatologist to see if any additional treatments are needed. In some cases a topical steroid cream, like Cortizone may help to reduce inflammation."

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