Waxing lyrical . . . pain-free or is it?

– You recently got Botox or collagen injections, waxing shouldn’t be done in that area.
– You’re in cancer therapy getting chemotherapy or radiation.
– Leg waxing if you have varicose veins.
– You have been in direct sunlight for a long period of time or tanning bed within the last 24 hours.
Areas not to wax:
– Irritated, inflamed, cut, or sunburned skin.
– Anywhere that has pimples, cold sores, moles or warts.
– The inside of ears and nose, eyelashes, nipples and male genitals.
Remember, even if you can’t get waxing done, there are other hair removal options such as tweezing, threading, sugaring or depilatories.
Other issues from waxing like ingrown hairs, pain, bumps, bruising and more can also occur.
Reduce waxing pain?
Yes you can! The first time getting waxed in an area hurts the most and does get less painful each time after. Hard to believe when your hair has just been ripped out for the first time, but it’s true. Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce waxing pain, whether you have been waxed before or not.
1. Do dull the nerves
Apply a numbing spray or take an aspirin or ibuprofen about 30 – 45 minutes before your wax. This is especially helpful when getting waxed above the lip, chest, bikini and genital areas- which top the list as the most pain-provoking areas.
2. Do seek a professional
It doesn’t mean just anybody licensed, but someone also experienced. They will use the wax best suited for the hair, apply the right thickness of wax, hold the skin taut, and pull in the right direction. Especially important when receiving a bikini wax, especially a Brazilian.
3. Do apply some heat
Take a warm (not hot) shower or use a warm compress just prior to waxing, it will open up the skin pores and allow the hair follicles to come out easier.
4. Do use a body scrub
While the skin on the face is generally exfoliated enough in terms of waxing, the body needs a little extra help. A somewhat gritty body scrub will help rid dead cells around skin pores and hair follicle, providing an easier exit.
5. Don’t apply astringent or toner
These tighten the pores and can make a firmer hold on the hair follicle. So hold off right before waxing.
6. Don’t use ice for numbing
You might think that ice would be great to numb skin and reduce waxing pain. But applying anything cold to the skin tightens pores. It’s the same principle as above, we want pores nice and relaxed.
7. Don’t drink a lot of caffeine or alcohol
While having a couple glass of wine or beer before getting waxed sounds like a great idea, stimulants in the system can cause skin to be extra sensitive to waxing. Give yourself a couple hours after drinking coffee or alcohol before getting waxed.
8. Don’t think waxing at home will be easy
It’s hard to do on yourself, and will really hurt if you don’t know what you’re doing.
9. Don’t tense up
Some people hold their breath or tense their whole body while getting waxed. While it might be easier said than done, breathe deeply, a relaxed person will cope much better with the pain.
10. Don’t wax where you shouldn’t
The inside of ears and nose, eyelashes, nipples and male genitals shouldn’t be waxed. Don’t try waxing over sun-burned or irritated skin, warts, moles, cuts or pimples.
How can I calm sensitive skin after waxing?
One of the most common waxing side effects, some degree redness or inflammation will usually occur right after the waxing especially for the sensitive-prone, but usually subsides throughout the day. lApply powder or oil. If you’re waxing yourself, after cleansing skin apply powder if using soft wax and oil for hard wax. These will act as a buffer, so the wax adheres more to the hair and not the skin thus lessening the amount of redness.
lUse the right technique. At home, be sure you’re holding the skin taut while pulling hair out will help lessen any redness, and using a wax made for sensitive skin, cream usually works the best.
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.
lSoothe skin. Applying an after wax cooling product or aloe based gel to help soothe skin and help subdue the redness and inflammation after ridding hair and cleansing skin. Tea bags brewed and then cooled placed on the eyes also helps after waxing the brows.
lKnow when it’s not normal. If the skin is extremely painful for days, bleeds, is torn off or scabs, then something isn’t right.
lTry another method. No matter what you do, you may not be able to calm sensitive skin after waxing.
It’s just too hard on the skin for some.
Threading and sugaring are two other alternatives that also remove the hair follicle from the root but are much easier on the skin, and lead to less redness and pain.
For the guys
Women aren’t the only ones getting hairless. Men are also experimenting with different waxing procedures, from removing chest hairs to bikini waxes, from a clean up to removing it all.
Most men still have to learn a lot when it comes to knowing about getting a safe and sanitary waxing hair removal. Waxing precautions you need to know to protect yourself and avoid harmful side effects. Waxing precautions and warnings left unchecked could leave your skin extremely red, burned or scabby.
If you’re ever unsure about waxing for any reason, always do a patch test first. This is only a reference guide, talk to your doctor or waxing technician if you have any concerns or questions.
Do you have any tricks or tips for combating the hairy issues? If so we’d love to hear them! Enjoy life with Clarins whatever your needs are.
– For all your queries or to be added onto our database – missk@zol.co.zw