To get soft, clean and glowing skin, women and men resort to waxing. When people expect smooth skin after painful removal of unwanted hair in the parlour, then within a few hours small red pimples, rashes and unbearable itching start appearing on the hands, legs or underarms. Sometimes these rashes take the form of pus filled pimples which cause severe burning and pain even when touched. Most of the people ignore it considering it to be just normal sensitivity of the skin or make the mistake of scratching with nails, due to which dark spots are formed on the skin. According to medical science and dermatologists, these bumps that appear on the skin after waxing are actually inflammation in the hair follicles, which is called 'Folliculitis'. When hair is forcibly pulled from the root, the pores are left open. As soon as external sweat, bacteria or dust enters these open pores, the skin reacts with inflammation and granulation as a defensive reaction. This problem can be easily got rid of through proper post-waxing care and home remedies.
If such rashes and redness appear on your skin every time you wax, then the following reasons are usually responsible for it:
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Open Pores and Bacterial Attack: During waxing, when the hair is uprooted, the pores of the skin are completely opened. If hygiene is not maintained in the parlor or the strips and waxing spatulas used are not clean, then 'Staphylococcus' bacteria enter these pores and spread infection.
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Friction of hard clothes and sweat: Wearing tight jeans, leggings or synthetic clothes immediately after waxing causes constant friction on the fresh and peeled skin. Sweat is unable to escape and blocks the pores, causing small heat rashes and pimples.
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Taking bath or steam with hot water: Taking a hot water bath or sauna bath immediately after waxing further irritates the sensitive skin tissues, which doubles the irritation and swelling.
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Ingrown Hair: Sometimes during waxing, the hair breaks from the middle instead of coming out from the entire root. When those hairs try to grow back, they curl under the skin instead of coming out, causing a lump, pain, and red rash.
If your skin has turned red and cracked after waxing, try these safe and natural remedies to soothe your skin instantly:
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Cold Compress: Right after waxing, wrap an ice cube in a clean cotton cloth and gently pat it on the affected skin. The coldness of the ice constricts blood vessels, instantly closing open pores and soothing irritation and redness within minutes. Never rub ice directly on bare skin.
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Fresh Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera has natural anti-inflammatory, cooling and antibacterial properties. Extract fresh aloe vera gel from the plant and apply it gently on the pimpled skin. Let it dry for 20 to 30 minutes and then wash it with cold water. It speeds up the healing process by instantly eliminating skin inflammation.
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Combination of tea tree oil and coconut oil: Tea tree oil is considered the king of antiseptic. Mix only 2 drops of tea tree oil in one spoon of pure coconut oil and apply on the affected area. It prevents bacteria from growing and helps dry up the pus-filled pimples. Keep in mind that never apply tea tree oil directly on the skin without any carrier oil.
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Chilled Cucumber and Rose Water Spray: Grate the cucumber and extract its juice and mix equal quantity of pure rose water in it. Cool this mixture in the refrigerator and spray it on the skin with a spray bottle. The abundant amount of antioxidants and water present in cucumber soothes and cools the skin.
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Raw Milk and Cotton Pad: Dip a cotton pad in cold raw milk and apply it on the pimples. The lactic acid and natural fats present in milk soothe skin irritation and lock in moisture.
If you want to avoid pimples forever, it is very important to follow a correct routine before and after waxing:
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Light exfoliation 24 hours before waxing: A day before waxing, clean the skin with a gentle body scrub to remove dead skin. With this, the hair will easily come out from the root and there will be no problem of ingrown hair.
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Avoid sweat and sunlight for 24 hours: Immediately after waxing, avoid going to the gym, doing heavy workouts, getting into chlorine water in swimming pools or going out in strong sunlight. Sweat can infect open pores.
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Wear loose and cotton clothes: After waxing, wear only loose, comfortable and 100% cotton clothes for at least two days so that the skin can breathe freely and there is no friction.
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Stay away from chemical-laden lotions and perfumes: Do not use alcohol-based body mists, strongly scented lotions or deodorants immediately after waxing. Apply only gentle, fragrance-free moisturizers or calamine lotion.
The general rash and redness that occurs after waxing usually subsides within 24 to 48 hours with proper care. But if the rashes become very large, they cause severe pain and fill with yellow pus, the skin feels extremely hot or starts feeling like a fever, then do not worry about curing it at home. This could be a serious bacterial infection that requires antibiotic cream or medicine recommended by a doctor to cure. Understand the sensitivity of your skin, choose a hygienic salon and make post-waxing care a habit so that your skin always remains flawless, silky and beautiful.