A photo of a woman wearing white towel.
After finishing a particularly dreadful yet essential wax appointment, you might be wondering what to do after. Waxing aftercare can sometimes be overlooked, but it is actually vital to nurture your skin after the process so you can avoid problems, including infection and irritation.
Post-Wax Care
Here are some helpful tips on what you can do to take care of your skin post-waxing:
1. Use post-depilatory products.
After waxing, apply post-depilatory wipes or lotion to the waxed skin to remove the residue of wax.
2. Apply antiseptic cream.
Use an antiseptic cream on the waxed area on a daily basis for three days after your treatment for protection and relief of the skin.
3. Apply cold compress.
Apply anything cold to the waxed area to reduce swelling and irritation. It is also used to calm redness that may appear after.
4. Wear a loose shirt or clothing.
Wear loose shirts after waxing to allow your skin to breathe and to limit sweating, which can cause rashes and irritation to the skin.
5. Moisturize.
To maintain the skin's suppleness and prevent ingrown hairs, moisturize the waxed area the day after your waxing appointment. After a wax, this will support you in keeping your skin radiant and healthy.
6. Exfoliate.
To prevent skin irritation, you can exfoliate the waxed area two to three days after the procedure. Your pores will close and be less susceptible to potential clogging or irritation after a couple of days.
What Not to Do Right After a Wax
Now that you know what to do after waxing, you should also know what not to do right after a wax.
1. Do not touch the waxed area.
To reduce the risk of infection, do not touch or scratch freshly waxed skin. Bacteria can quickly enter the empty follicles, taking more time for any reddening to settle down and the hair follicles to close.
2. No exposure to heat.
Do not take hot baths, saunas, or steams for the next 24 hours because doing so may irritate the skin and increase the risk of an infection developing in the open pores.
3. Avoid chlorinated water.
For the same reasons as above, avoid swimming in chlorinated water after waxing.
4. No perfumed products.
On skin that has been waxed, avoid using products like body sprays, deodorant, scrubs, and self-tanner. Your open underarm hair follicles may become irritated by these.
5. No picking or plucking of ingrown hairs.
Leave ingrown hairs alone because picking or plucking them increases the chance of infection. Leave them for 48 hours, and you may exfoliate after.
The tips mentioned above are only a few recommended practices and things to avoid for waxing aftercare. As people have different skin types, their care needs may also be slightly different. Always remember that it is still best to consult with your dermatologist.