Waxing has become one of the most trending beauty treatments across the world, not only women but men too have entered this game. There are multiple hair removal options available out there from shaving to even trimming, but waxing remains the most preferred one among women. Why? Because, even though it is quite painful, it provides a desired level of smoothness. As per one of the recent surveys, women around the world nearly spend about $30,000 on waxing treatments in their lifetime. Surprising, isn’t it?
What’s more surprising is that waxing remains the fourth most common minimally invasive method done on both men and women. However, as more and more people are turning towards waxing, skin experts are warning them to be extra cautious while going through these procedures as they can be more susceptible to chronic skin infections. Experts emphasis on mainly those who are more active in grooming their pubic hairs using Brazilian or Bikini waxes.
Why Does Skin Infections Occur Due to Waxing?
Since waxing is a more of skin penetration method, it pulls the hair off the hair follicles, leaving it exposed to dirt, microorganism, and grime which settles into the pores, making your waxed skin more susceptible to infections. Piping hot wax and the reckless stripping process can affect your epidermis. That’s the reason why your waxed skin turns red, and painful as the body looks it up as an injury and responds to it with inflammatory signs of trauma like redness, pain, and swelling.
Read ahead for the most reliable tips you can, in fact, you should follow to save yourself from getting such infections and maintaining a super smooth finish of your skin:
1) Pre Wax Care
Even for the most frequent waxing customers, the concept of pre-waxing is quite murky. For most individuals, it is just about taking a good shower, and that’s it. But, following proper pre-waxing tips is as essential as the things you do as a part of your post-wax care. Even though you use best professional wax for hair removal, pre-wax care is a must.
Wondering what’s included in pre-wax care other than just a shower?
The first and foremost thing you need to do before even booking a waxing appointment is to scrutinize your skin. Check closely if there are any cuts, wounds or breaks over your skin. If you find any, avoid waxing until it gets properly sealed. Any sort of breaks or opening in your skin can become an easy access for pathogens to get into your bloodstream and spread infection. Night before your depilatory treatment, gently exfoliate the skin using a good body wash and loofah. This helps in removing the accumulations of the dead skin cells that make the pulling of hairs difficult in one go.
Avoid waxing during your periods, as you’re likely to feel more pain because your intimate areas get more sensitive than usual during those days. Alcohol intake is a big no-no before your waxing treatment, as the acetaldehyde in alcohol can stimulates the pain receptors in the body. Same goes with pain killer medications, their components increase bleeding time and prevents clotting. Taking a shower before your appointment helps wash off dirt, bacteria, and pathogens from the skin.
2) During Your Wax
Before sitting for your waxing session, talk to your esthetician. Be more vocal about any skin allergies you suffer from after waxing or in general, instruct them to use best professional wax for hair removal as per your skin type. Hygiene is primarily essential when it comes to waxing. Make sure the place is clean and see if the paper sheet used by the previous customer has been replaced with a new one and the surface is cleaned with an alcohol-based solution. Insist your aesthetician to put on gloves and make sure they change them after every client.
3) Post Wax Care
After you’re done with your depilatory treatment, go for a shower and wash away any sugar residue or wax on your skin, using cold water as it closes smaller pores more rapidly. If you have any redness or bumps, these are signs of inflammation. Use an astringent body wash with cold water as it will reduce the severity of the inflammation.
Even though you’ve got your hairs waxed, you can’t step out in the sun or enjoy a beach day with freshly waxed skin. Harsh sun rays and seawater can make things worse, elevating the severity of your infection or just begin one. Avoid wearing tight clothes that could suffocate your skin pores, let them breathe.
As per the researchers at Indiana University, the risk of contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections increases up to four times when you’ve got your intimate areas waxed recently.
Thus, any sort of post-waxing allergies or infections can be prevented with strict hygiene and care.