How To Prevent Those Pesky Ingrown Hairs From Becoming An Issue After Waxing

How to prevent those pesky ingrown hairs from becoming an issue after waxing 

 Ingrown hairs occur when the new growing hair instead of popping out of the skin curls itself back into the hair follicles. Bacteria and inflammation are introduced, leading to redness and often pus-filled red pumps. Tiny whiteheads can develop as well. Ingrown hairs can sometimes be painful and get infected. 

Ingrown hairs are more common on your legs, your underarms, and especially on your bikini line (really, anywhere you are repeatedly using methods of hair removal, including shaving and most certainly waxing). 

Everyone wants smooth, soft skin, that’s why many resort to waxing over shaving their hair, as this hair-removal method keeps regrowth away for longer periods of time and eventually leads to hair growing in much thinner. 

Let me share my best tips for preventing ingrown hair after waxing.

1. Prep for Your Waxing Appointment

Gently exfoliate the area where you will be waxing several days before your session. This exfoliation will help to removing dead skin cells along the way and make unwanted hair easier for the wax to adhere to.  

2. Avoid Exfoliating Directly After

Right after a wax treatment, your skin is a little inflamed. Think of it as a sun burn or a wind burn. So, hold off on the sugar scrub, or the AHA. (This means both physical and chemical exfoliating products). You want to give your skin a chance to heal and reduce the chance of irritating the skin further. Keep in mind your freshly waxed skin can be vulnerable for a few days.

3. Take It Easy With Self Care After

You might have your waxing treatment schedule smack in the middle of all your errands. It’s best to avoid certain activities for at least 24 hours after your wax. Types of activities to avoid – workouts, cycling, sauna, suntanning, or pools. Also avoiding tight-fitting clothing (like workout leggings) is also recommended to let the skin breathe. 

4. Avoid Heavy Lotions

Moisturizing is important, but it’s possible you can overdo it with the products that can make the situation worse. The opening of the pore could get blocked by the lotion and contribute to whiteheads. Using a post-wax oil or treatment helps keep the skin lubed up and prevents bacteria from developing.  Try our PFB Vanish roll-on serum.

 5. Only Let Estheticians Wax You

This should go without saying, but if you’ve ever been tempted to do a quick wax at a nail salon, this tip is for you. We’re dealing with skin here, and in sensitive areas. Estheticians know best, and they know how to avoid risk of infection. They’ll also send you home with expert after-care advice following your appointment and be a resource should you need further guidance as hair grows back.

6. Best to avoid a wax treatment if you have the following

You wouldn’t want to come in for a wax of any area if you have a sunburn or have shaved in the last two weeks. The hair must be long enough for the wax to adhere to. (1/4 inch). If you’re focusing on your bikini area or going for a full Brazilian wax and you have a UTI or yeast infection—It’s best to reschedule until the condition has subsided.

7. Dry brushing

For extra exfoliating measures, dry brushing is always a good idea. Whether you wax or not, you should be dry brushing to exfoliate your skin, improve circulation, and improve overall skin texture. This could be an alternative to using an exfoliant.