Redness, swelling, breakouts and bumps are a pretty common sight after a waxing session. Whether it's your armpits, arms, hands or legs, the tiny red bumps leave you uncomfortable and prevent you from wearing those cute strappy tops and sexy dresses. While wax removes unwanted hair, it causes stress to the surrounding skin, making it prone to bumps and inflammation. So, what can you do to prevent those pesky breakouts from even surfacing in the first place, you ask? Well, here are all the precautions you need to take before, after and in between your waxing sessions.
01Cleanse your skin before getting waxed
Cleansing the area before your waxing appointment is crucial. You don't want dirt, dead skin cells or makeup getting trapped in your pores once the hair is removed, do you? Therefore, we suggest you take a quick shower with lukewarm water. This will open the pores and soften the skin, thus, making waxing a painless experience. In case, you're headed to the parlour directly from work, then keep wipes in your handbag for a quick clean.
02Keep hands off your skin after getting waxed
Yes, we all know that our skin feels heavenly after waxing. It is smooth like a feather, and we cannot help but touch it. However, here's the catch! Avoid touching your skin after your waxing session. The dirt, bacteria and oils from your hands can get transferred onto your skin and get trapped in the pores. This, in turn, can cause bumps and breakouts. As soon as you're done with waxing, wipe the area with witch hazel, which is both soothing as well as antiseptic.
03Treat red bumps with a cold compress
If you have sensitive skin, then red bumps after a waxing session can be a common sight. To reduce the redness and to calm irritated skin, use an ice pack or make your own compress by running a clean washcloth under cold water. Apply the compress on the affected area for up to 20 to 25 minutes. You can also cool a wet tea-bag in the fridge and then use it on the affected area. This will give you relief from the heat and reduce redness.
04Stay away from heat, steam and tight clothing
Waxing removes the top layers of your skin, which makes it more vulnerable to infections and irritation. To steer clear of skin woes such as bumps and breakouts, firstly, don't step out in the sun immediately after waxing. The harsh UV rays can burn and irritate your skin. Secondly, steaming is a strict no-no. You want to keep your skin cool, clean and well-ventilated after a waxing session. And, lastly, wear loose clothing. Tighter fabrics can cause irritation on already sensitive skin, so stay away from tights or leggings and long-sleeved, fitted t-shirts.
05Exfoliate regularly… after a few days
Exfoliating your skin immediately after waxing is a complete no-no. Scrubbing can be too harsh on freshly waxed skin as it can make it rough. However, it is important to exfoliate regularly after a few days in order to prevent ingrown hairs and breakouts in the future. Use a gentle scrub or make your own scrub at home using ingredients such as aloe vera, sugar or tea tree essential oil.
