You may have had a picture in your mind of what your freshly waxed parts were going to look like, and most often the fantasy isn’t quite the same as the reality, at least not immediately following your appointment. Your waxed areas may be causing you some discomfort, and they may appear irritated, red or rashy. Although this is a far cry from the magazine worthy image you had in your head, it’s perfectly normal, and some people are prone to more issues post wax than others, particularly if you’re fair haired or a ginger. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to relieve pain, lessen irritation, and reduce redness and rash. Here are a few tips you might like to try.
- Keep the area cool and clean. Try to avoid taking a hot shower for 2 or 3 days post waxing session. Keep water temperatures from warm to cool and pat, instead of rubbing your skin dry.
- Bring loose fitting clothing to wear at least after your wax, if not before. Wearing clothes that make it easier for your skin to breathe allows it to help keep cool, and if the clothing is on the loose side, it’s less likely to rub against the waxed area. You can help avoid irritation on your waxed legs, for example, by wearing skirt or dress if the weather permits
- Avoid heavy exercise or a strenuous workout routine for at least a day after waxing.
- Cool compresses can go a long way towards helping reduce both pain and inflammation. This could be a cloth cooled by water alone, or, if you find you need something colder, wrap a few ice cubes in a cloth and apply to the area that most needs it.
- A 1 percent hydrocortisone cream can help reduce inflammation, ease itchiness, and lessen any redness. Rub gently to avoid causing more problems with friction.
- Avoid swimming pools and hot tubs for a few days after waxing, as your pores will be vulnerable to both irritations from the heat of the hot tub, and picking up bacteria from the swimming pool.
- The use of mild, natural antiseptics can be very good at reducing the appearance of those nasty red bumps. Dab tea tree oil to the waxed area using a cotton ball, and if you have sensitive skin, simply dilute the oil with cool water beforehand.
- If you don’t like tea tree, give witch hazel a try. This is another effective and natural antiseptic that can be applied right after waxing. You could also try Neosporin, Manuka honey, or even a diaper cream with zinc.
- A great way to soothe skin besides with cool water would be to soak a cotton ball with aloe vera, chamomile or green tea. Dab the soaked cotton ball over the affected area.
Take comfort in the fact that, with regular sessions, your skin will become more used to the waxing process and your post waxing issues should subside.