How to Avoid and Deal With the Side Effects of Waxing

Pro cheerleading isn’t just a profession of athleticism. A huge part of the career involves a lot of personal grooming such as hair care, makeup, and smokey eye applications. For the haircare part, you should do your best to grow your head hair long and healthy whether you’re an aspiring or current pro cheerleader.

However, there’s this one part of hair care where the process is the entire opposite: leg, thighs, armpits, and face. Instead of growing the hair on these parts, you must remove them. Shaving does do the trick, yet, it’s too high maintenance and you have to shave once or twice a week. Not to mention the cuts.

Laser removal may prevent hair growth for a long time but it’s too expensive. So we turn to waxing - the most painful procedure. And with this pain comes a few complications. Here’s what you can do about the side effects and how to avoid them.

1. Use warm compress before waxing

Post-waxing pain can be avoided by a warm compress. The temperature of the water will temporarily dilate your pores which makes it easier for hair to be removed.

2. Apply ice after

Cold packs or ice bags are good for alleviating pain or discomfort after waxing. Keep a pack or bag ready to use after the waxing session.

3. Don’t bathe in hot water

Newly waxed skin can be very sensitive. Bathing in hot water after waxing will cause a sharp sting to the waxed area. As much as possible, shower or bathe in lukewarm or cold water.

4. Wear loose clothing

Tight clothing will cause too much friction on waxed skin. This will lead to more irritation and pain. Wear loose clothing or none at all. You can wear your micro yoga shorts for your waxed legs and a tank top for your pits.

The same goes for towels. When you’re done washing your face or taking a bath, pat your skin dry instead of wiping or scrubbing the water off.

5. Apply moisturizer or cream

When your skin is red and inflamed after waxing, you can use an aloe-based gel moisturizer to calm it. Aloe vera moisturizers are good because they contain no scents that could worsen irritation.

Sometimes your skin could bruise and it’s normal. However, be more gentle on yourself next time if you wax at home. If you went to a technician, don’t go back to them again. Bruising isn’t easily fixed, but you can use cortisone or high-CBD creams for that.

6. Don’t use a moisturizer when pimples occur

There will also be an instance where your skin will grow pimples instead of bumps. When this happens, you should avoid using moisturizer as it worsens the spread of bacteria to your follicles.

Keep on practicing proper hygiene long after your hair removal and keep your skin dry. This is a key tip.

7. Don’t apply the wax when it’s too hot

Hot wax will burn and remove your skin. Avoid using wax pots that only have an on-and-off switch. Always choose the one with temperature control. This error tends to happen when done at home rather than a salon service.

8. Keep off retinol products

2-5 days before waxing, suspend your use of retinoids. This will prevent your skin from being removed along with your hair which is painful skin damage.

9. Don’t use makeup

Colognes and lotions contain alcohol-based irritants that could cause a burning feeling after waxing. Makeup makes it hard for the wax to stick and remove your hair. This makes the stripping process repetitive and adds more irritation to your skin after waxing.

Before you remove your hair, wash your soon-to-be-waxed skin in gentle soap and warm water first.

10. Avoid scratching or picking bumps

Bumps after waxing will be itchy. Do your best not to put your hands on these waxed areas to avoid infection. When infections do occur, consult with your dermatologist so you can be advised to use an anti-bacterial cream, ointment, or an oral antibiotic.

The best thing to do before getting a hair removal is to talk to your dermatologist first. They can guide you well on what to do before, during, and after the waxing process. However, since most infections are caused by bacteria and chemical irritants, always rid your skin off of these agents first by washing with gentle soap and warm water.

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