Waxing is a hair removal technique that removes hair from the root. New hair growth is usually seen only after four to eight weeks, depending on the rate of one’s hair growth. Almost all parts of the body can be safely waxed, including the legs, arms, back, feet, abdomen, face, eyebrows, and even the pubic area. Waxing is usually done by spreading wax over the skin and removing the hair using a strip of cloth or paper. Stripless waxing is also done wherein no cloth is used. This is especially suited to sensitive skin and it is considerably less painful.
The advantage of waxing as compared to other hair removal methods such as using depilatory creams is the long-lasting effect. Since hair is removed from the root, and not from the surface of skin, new hair does not grow back until four weeks. After repeated waxing, hair regrowth is finer and softer.
However, the drawbacks of waxing are that the procedure is painful, especially when a strip of cloth is used to remove the hair. Although the pain does not last long, it can be very intense on sensitive areas. Waxing should be done by a qualified beautician since improper technique causes bruising and skin damage. Thus, the cost of waxing is higher than that of other techniques. Some side effects that are experienced by people while waxing are red bumps, ingrown hair, and slight bleeding. This is especially true for people with thick hair who are getting the procedure done for the first few times.
Since waxing involves a certain amount of trauma to the hair follicles and the skin such as bruises and broken capillaries, some care should be taken to prevent reactions like inflammation and ingrown hair.
1. The first step to ensure that skin remains unharmed during waxing is to prepare it for the procedure. Ensure that the length of hair is about ¼ of an inch; long enough for the wax to adhere to. This prevents trauma to the hair follicles. On the day of the procedure, do not apply any lotions, gels, or oils on your skin since it prevents the wax from properly sticking to hair. Apply baby powder to the skin prior to waxing to help the wax hold on to hair well.
2. Do not do vigorous exercises or take tanning treatments for a day after waxing has been done. Also, avoid steamy baths, saunas, and hot tubs. The pores tend to remain open after waxing. Thus, the skin is especially sensitive and heat increases irritation.
3. If your skin turns red and inflamed after waxing, use a numbing cream to help soothe the pain. You can also apply a cold compress to the inflamed area to reduce your suffering.
4. Ensure that you exfoliate your skin regularly after waxing is done. Use a body scrub to gently exfoliate your skin before a shower. This also helps improve blood circulation and reduce the appearance of cellulite. After exfoliation, remember to moisturize the skin. This will reduce skin bumps and ingrown hair.
5. To prevent the appearance of ingrown hair, you can use an ingrown hair serum. It provides exfoliation as well as moisturization in order to prevent bumps and keep skin soft and smooth.
6. Hydrocortisone cream can be used to treat inflammation and red spots on the skin after waxing. This cream is especially suitable for sensitive facial skin.
7. Aloe vera gel can be applied to the waxed area to soothe any reactions to the procedure. The gel should be applied twice daily; once during the day and once before bedtime.
8. Tea tree oil is another soothing agent that can be used to prevent breakouts after waxing. Massage the waxed area with tea tree oil to keep skin happy.
9. Do not expose waxed skin to sunlight for 48 hours after waxing. You should not use sunscreen lotions, either since the pores of your skin tend to be open.
10. Do not go swimming in a swimming pool or the sea immediately after a waxing session. Waxed skin is prone to infections and should be protected until it has had a chance to heal.
Author Bio:
Alex George is a writer for RemoveSkinTags and a social media enthusiast. He loves to write on issues related to health and beauty. In his free time he loves to read spiritual books. For more information visit http://www.removeskintags.com/testimonial2.php or follow him on Twitter
