How to remove irritation after epilation
Almost any method of removing hair at the root has unpleasant consequences. We tell you that, in addition to smoothness, different hair removal methods promise the skin and minimize the procedure’s side effects.
Tweezers, electric epilator, waxing, sugaring – these methods remove excess hair on the body to the very root, or rather, along with it. Any hair removal is a microtrauma that can lead to unpleasant visible consequences. So what to be prepared for?
Skin irritation
The likelihood of a negative reaction to epilation with thin or sensitive skin will be higher. Even plucking a couple of hairs above the upper lip with tweezers, you risk getting itching, burning sensation, and redness. There is an explanation for this. Pulling out the hair along with the bulb irritates the nerve endings. Hence the skin reaction. If an infection gets into the affected area, there will be bumps. More often, irritation occurs on the face, armpits, hands, and groin – in areas where the skin is most sensitive. On the legs, irritation is rare.
By the way, about intimate hair removal. British scientists, known for their passion for research, disliked her. They claim that inflamed microscopic wounds during hair removal in a deep bikini can lead to a vaginal infection, inflammation of the vulva, and even abscesses. Horror stories can become a reality because the presence of pubic hair minimizes the ingress of pathogens on the skin. For the same reason, problems of an infectious nature can also be in the armpit area after epilation.
What will help? Antiseptics will remove the irritation without the alcohol content. Look for options with aloe juice or tea tree oil in the composition. If the skin sweats (in the armpits and the groin), think about the powder. After epilation, do not immediately run to the bathroom, and do not wet the skin for 24 hours so that the micro-wounds are delayed. But before the procedure, it makes sense to take a warm shower: the steamed pores will expand, and the hairs will be removed more easily.
If the affected area is a bikini, do not wear synthetic underwear and refrain from sexual intercourse for a couple of days. This will help to avoid friction and, as a result, infection in the inflamed area.
Redness on the skin
The reason for the appearance of pink or red spots after epilation may be an allergic reaction to the sugaring paste or wax components. Such a scenario is also likely with an existing allergy to honey. Another reason for the aggressive skin reaction after epilation is an expired or low-quality product (we are talking about the same wax and sugar paste). Too chemical composition can provoke allergic skin irritation, itching, and even a rash. This happens when using amateur budget sets and rarely when applying for a professional service.
Allergies are not harmless. Its dangerous manifestation can be Quincke’s edema and anaphylactic shock, during which the throat and tongue swell strongly, and breathing becomes difficult. A case in a million, but no one is immune from it. Professional medical assistance must be provided immediately.
What will help? An allergic reaction will be extinguished only by time or a faster option – an antihistamine prescribed by an allergist or dermatologist. Once an allergy has manifested itself, then it will not be possible to avoid it in the future. Try to get rid of excess hair with an electric epilator.
Burns on the skin
There are two scenarios here:
- You applied a depilatory cream with harsh chemical composition and exceeded the exposure time; it will not come in blisters, but unpleasant irritation and burning will have to be endured for a couple of days;
- Overdone with the temperature of the wax (it is quite possible to overheat the composition for waxing, especially if you are performing the procedure for the first time; apply a test layer on a strip of paper or a less sensitive area of \u200b\u200bthe skin).
What will help? In case of burns, you should anoint the skin with a panthenol-based agent. The standard dose of the substance is 5%, but there are formulas with a twofold increase (the skin will be grateful). Ice will help relieve the burning sensation. Do not use alcohol and soap products; they will aggravate irritation. Tanning is also taboo.
Ingrown hairs
A frequent consequence of wax, sugar, and electrolysis. Sometimes, due to the thickening of the stratum corneum of the epidermis, the hairs cannot break through. As a result, they twist and grow under the skin, leading to inflammation. The reasons for this hair behavior vary from a tendency to pseudofolliculitis (the medical name for ingrown hairs) to dry skin that makes it difficult to exfoliate dead cells. More often, the problem appears on the legs, the inguinal folds, and the armpits.
What will help? To make new hairs germinate easier:
- Use scrubs.
- Apply them three days after the procedure, then repeat the gommage weekly.
- Use an anti-ingrown hair product daily.
Its formula gently and gradually exfoliates dead cells. A bonus is a soothing effect that relieves redness and irritation. To prevent a problem, smear the skin with an ingrown hair remedy immediately after epilation. It will not help if the hair has already sprouted under the skin.
Don’t try to get the ingrown hair out alone – you could get an infection or be left with a small scar. If the process is annoying, contact a professional, and he will remove the culprit without unpleasant consequences.
Pigmentation
Waxing adherents are at risk. The likelihood of dark spots’ appearance increases with the predisposition to hyperpigmentation. Its signs are freckles and age 30+.
Why does wax give such a reaction? The sharp removal of the cooled wax peels off the top layer from the skin’s surface, greatly increasing sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation. Sugaring is much more loyal to the skin; the paste sticks only to the hairs and does not injure the epidermis.
What will help? Are you thinking about a vacation during the velvet season? Bring sunscreen with a high factor – from 50 units. Even a low UV index is your enemy for the next couple of weeks.
Bruising on the skin
Sounds like epilation is real torture for you. Such effects on the skin are rare, but sometimes they happen after waxing and an electric epilator. The reason for this is the wrong execution technique (too strong or, conversely, an uncertain jerk with a strip), during which the surface layer of the skin is damaged. When using an epilator, you can accidentally chew on an area of thin skin, leaving bruises or abrasions. This happens when treating areas under the knees, armpits, and bikini (asterisk for courage). These troubles pass slowly and can backfire with bruises.
The longer the hair, the more it pulls the skin. This increases the likelihood of damage to it, and it just hurts. How many millimeters are needed for high-quality hair removal? Shave your hair a week before the procedure. By day X, they will reach a length of 0.3-0.5 cm – optimal for capturing with wax or an epilator.
If self-removal of hair is not given to you, stop mutilating yourself and go to the professionals. Another thing is when the vessels are too close to the skin’s surface. Any mechanical impact can lead to bruising. Think about a non-mechanical method of hair removal, one of the options is a laser.
What will help? Before the procedure, treat the affected areas with baby powder or talcum powder. The wax will not stick to the skin with a stranglehold, thanks to the protective layer. In addition, talc is an absorbent. Having absorbed moisture, it will provide a better and safer sliding of the head of the electric epilator over the skin, and the chance of chewing it will be negligible.
