If you have recently had some waxing done, then there are some things that you just should not do for at least a couple of days following your wax. The good news is you don’t have to wait too long. You only need to wait for one to two days after your wax before you can resume typical activities.
As a result, we suggest where possible getting a wax done midweek so that any interruption to activities will not impact your weekend. In this article, we explore five different things you should try and avoid soon after a wax to minimize the chance of infection and complications.
Exfoliation
Exfoliating is a very important part of an ongoing skincare routine and you should never stop this you can take a break for one to two days following a wax. The reason for this is that the waxing process acts as a form of exfoliation itself.
When the wax is taken off, it tends to remove all the dead and loose skin. So additional exfoliation by agitating the skin with a scourer is not needed and not recommended.
Firstly, they’ll be no dead skin to exfoliate because the waxing has already done that job, and secondly, the skin could be tender and give you a heightened sensation of pain if you then exfoliate the same area on the same day of the wax or the day after.
Stay Away From Large Bodies of Water
Following a wax, it is also good to stay away from large bodies of water. When we say this, we are referring to any body of water, whether that be a bath or a swimming pool, or even a spa.
Though the contact with the water may feel therapeutic against the skin, it actually puts you at a heightened risk of infection. Soon after you have been waxed, your skin pores are open to a greater extent than they typically are, and as a result, bacteria in bodies of water have a greater chance of getting into your skin Leading you to contract an infection.
Though the risk is low, it is still a significant enough risk that you should avoid this where possible for at least one day, and preferably two days following a wax.
This is not to say that you cannot get wet. Showers are very appropriate and do not pose the same risk as having a bath or going for a swim. The reason for this is that the water is in a continuous flowing motion and you are not submerged under the surface for an extended period of time.
The only thing to consider when you are showering soon after waxing is to make sure that the water temperature is not too hot. If you take a shower in very hot water then you could experience a burn on a freshly waxed area as the skin is quite delicate given it has only just been exposed.
If you can handle cool showers then having a cold shower can be an effective form of pain relief and can soothe a freshly waxed region.
Stay Covered Up
It is important to keep a freshly waxed skin area undercover for 24 to 48 hours following a wax.
The reason for this is that freshly waxed skin is much more sensitive to UV rays and therefore you are at a heightened risk of sunburn. Given how fragile your skin is at this point, you may not only get sunburn but could also cause permanent skin damage or discoloration.
If you must be outside, then the best bet is to wear suitable clothing that covers up the waxed area. If there is no suitable clothing to cover this area, then you can wear sunscreen, but you need to be very careful with the sunscreen you choose to apply.
If the sunscreen has certain additives or chemicals or sense added to it then your skin could react very badly to that.
Look for something which is as natural as possible, and has as few additives as possible to minimize the chance that your freshly waxed skin responds badly to the sunscreen.
Wear Loose-Fitting Clothes
It’s best to take the chance to wear very comfortable and loose-fitting clothes during the day and preferably two days following a wax.
If the clothing that you wear is too tight, then this could cause rubbing and irritation and you might experience pain following the wax. This continued agitation could also prevent the waxed region from healing as quickly as it potentially could if you are wearing looser and less agitative clothing.
It’s not likely to cause significant ongoing issues, it will just be more uncomfortable for you personally, so do the best that you can within your circumstances.
If you have had a Brazilian wax (as described on this website), but you still have to go to work the next day then try and wear some loose-fitting pants and some of your more comfy underwear, for at least a day or two.
Don’t Pick The Bumps
Following a wax, you make detect some small bumps on the skin area. You may also be tempted to pick at these bumps.
However, these bumps are a very normal skin reaction to the experience of waxing, so avoid picking at them where possible because if you continuously pick at these bumps you could create a skin problem.
These bumps are a form of inflammation but are not a form of inflammation that you need to worry about. By leaving the bumps alone and just conducting a normal clean each day, the bumps will disappear on their own.
If these bumps do not disappear after two to three days and you still notice them after a week then this could indicate a mild infection. A mild infection may not necessarily require medical attention but is something that you should monitor very closely.
Be Selective With Creams and Skin Products
If you choose to apply some skin cream or skin lotion to a freshly waxed area then be very careful with the product you choose to apply. Many skin products include additives and chemicals that could react negatively with a freshly waxed area so look for products that are considered natural and organic that will minimize the chance of a negative reaction.
Many of the chemicals & fragrances will not only irritate a freshly waxed region but also prevent the skin from healing from the waxing process. The best products to consider for after-wax care are coconut oil tea tree lotion and other natural oils.
If you have any specific allergies or irritations then this would be good to discuss with your beautician prior to the wax being applied and removed. they may have some allergy-sensitive lotions or oils that they can recommend for you
Final Thoughts
The only thing worse than the pain you experience when getting a wax is the potential complications following the wax.
By following the five tips we’ve discussed in this article, you will minimize the chance of any post-wax complications and set yourself up to enjoy your freshly waxed skin without anything else to worry about.
