Waxing is a hair removal method utilizing heated wax, covered by a thin cotton strip. Once covered, the strip is yanked off of the skin along with the warm wax and hairs. The hairs are pulled out by the root, providing longer lasting hair removal. When the hairs start to grow back, some can grow at an angle and not break through the hair follicle leaving you with painful ingrown hairs. These resemble a pimple and can even fill with fluid, dead skin cells, and bacteria, further clogging the hair follicle. There are steps to take before and after waxing to avoid the formation of unsightly ingrown hairs.
Step 1
Exfoliate the skin for three days before waxing. This will remove bacteria and slough off dead skin that would otherwise block the hair follicle. Repeat exfoliation 48 hours after waxing to remove post wax bacteria and dead skin cells.
Step 2
Apply the wax and cotton strip in the direction of the hair growth and pull against the growth. This will tame your body hair into a proper growth pattern, reducing occurence of ingrown hairs. Make sure that you pull the strip and wax off the skin in one quick fluid motion. Pulling slowly can introduce bacteria and cause more pain than necessary.
Step 3
Apply a moisturizer after waxing. Keeping the skin moist will help speed up the skin's healing process and keep new hairs softer. This will prevent coarse hairs from becoming trapped below the surface of the skin.
Step 4
Wear loose-fitting clothes for the first 48 hours after waxing. Tight clothing inhibits hair growth and promotes bacteria making its way into the open hair follicle. Loose clothes will reduce moisture, which makes for ideal bacterial growth conditions.
Step 5
Apply tea tree oil to the skin 48 hours after waxing. Tea tree oil is a natural anti-bacterial that prevents bacteria from forming. This will soften skin and reduce risk of ingrown hair by softening the follicle.
Tips and Warnings
- Pull skin taut before removing the waxing strip and make sure to pull against the hair grain instead of up and out.
- Visit your dermatologist if you develop an ingrown hair that has not responded to treatment within two weeks.
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