During waxing, hairs are forcibly removed from the roots, which cause stress and inflammation. Developing bumps post-waxing is common and it needs proper care to prevent any skin irritation in the future. Here are a few tips that help to prepare your skin forwaxing:
- Exfoliate the area a few days before waxing- Gentle exfoliating your skin removes the dead skin cells on the surface. The dead skin can clog the hair follicles, which can further cause irritation and ingrown hairs post-waxing, so exfoliation is a must. You can use chemical exfoliation using salicylic and lactic acid or physical exfoliation using a sugar scrub. Just exfoliate the skin a night before waxing or a few days before if you have sensitive skin to avoid the risk of irritation.
- Grow hairs to at least quarter an inch– Wax strips need at least quarter-inch of hairs to grab so give your hairs a proper time to grow. Resist the urge to shave the little hairs that grow on your skin as you will need to wait again to let your hairs grow to be able to wax them.
- Pain relievers for low pain tolerance – Some women have low pain tolerance, so for them,it’s advisable to take pain relievers. There are various low dose pain relievers available over the counter such asAleve and Tylenol; you can take them prior to going for waxing.
- Avoiding ‘That time of the month’ for waxing – Your skin gets more sensitive one week prior to your periods, so you will experience more pain during that time. Wait a week or two after your periods to have a great waxing experience.
- Use aloevera – Redness after waxing is common in women with sensitive skin. If you see red spots on the area just after a day of waxing don’t freak out as it is just the reaction of your skin after the hairs are pulled out. To sooth the area you can use Aloevera and Aquaphor. This will reduce skin irritation and the chances of ingrown hairs.
- Don’t exfoliate after Waxing – Even if you don’t have sensitive skin, it’s advisable not to exfoliate the area for 48 hours after waxing. Apart from exfoliating, swimming and sunbathing are also not recommended. As your skin is already inflamed due to the application of cold wax and ripping off the hairs, you should not do something to make the condition worse.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing – Sweat and tight clothing can entrap the bacteria in the skin. So when you go for waxing, the chances of an infection increases. Wear loose clothing after waxing and prevent the sweating as much as you can.
With regular waxing, your body hair will grow less coarse and thick, which will make your waxing experience easier with the passingtime. Taking care of your skin prior to waxing is a must if you want to avoid the skin complications.
