Preventing Ingrown Hairs After Waxing for Hair Removal
Although waxing is a highly effective form of hair removal, some people are hesitant to get it done because of the possible side effects that may occur. Redness of the skin, irritation and bumps are common ill effects that may occur immediately following waxing.
However, these symptoms usually dissipate after a few hours up to a few days. However, as the hair begins to grow back, some people may experience ingrown hairs. This can cause unsightly red bumps and discomfort. An ingrown hair also has the chance of getting infected which can cause even more problems and an unattractive appearance.
However, the good news about waxing and ingrown hairs is that the more often you wax, the less of a tendency you will have of getting ingrown hairs. Your skin gets used to the waxing process and there is a tolerance built up for the pain and for skin issues. Plus, over time the hair follicles will weaken making the hair easier to remove. It will also start to come in after longer periods and come in finer. So, the chances of ingrown hairs and other skin issues caused by waxing will diminish with time.
When starting out, though or for those who have occasional ingrown hairs, there are ways to decrease the risk. First, the best way to deal with ingrown hairs is to prevent them from happening in the first place. With proper hair removal techniques, the chances of ingrown hairs lessen significantly.
For home hair removal, if you continually get ingrown hairs, you may want to try using a professional esthetician for awhile. If you find that with professional services you get fewer ingrown hairs, it may be the technique you are using.
If you break the hair off below the surface but not at the root, you will get more ingrown hairs. Take care to ensure you are waxing properly, pulling the hair in the opposite direction of the growth and yanking the strip quickly. If you are pulling up instead of simply in the opposite direction, you make be inadvertently breaking the hairs.
Exfoliating will also lessen the odds of ingrown hairs after waxing. You should not exfoliate for forty eight hours after a waxing treatment. However, after then, you should exfoliate a few times per week. This will ensure the pores are open and will allow the hairs to grow outside the skin.
Regular exfoliating will also help make subsequent waxing easier. Exfoliating can be accomplished by using a scrub or exfoliating lotion. These products are readily available in drug stores, supermarkets and beauty supply stores.
It is possible that you simply have very sensitive skin prone to ingrown hairs. If this is the case, you may need a special product designed to combat ingrown hairs. There are products available on the market designed to be used after waxing for the purpose of preventing ingrown hairs. You should check with your esthetician if you continue to have problems for the products that most recommended for your particular skin type.
Waxing has many advantages including the length of time needed between applications. Ingrown hairs, though, can be one of the disadvantages. However, there are plenty of ways that you can reduce the chances of getting them. Make sure you use proper waxing techniques for hair removal. Also, exfoliate regularly and use lotions designed to prevent ingrown hairs for best results.
