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As a teenager, I remember I would wait for ‘enough hair growth’ on my hands to finally book my waxing appointment, only to find myself dreading the sting of hot wax and the painful pull during depilation. It doesn’t end there, since I have sensitive skin, I’d get slight rashes, some ingrown hair and over a period of time, I noticed my skin getting darker. It’s like when you go to solve one beauty problem, you stumble on another beauty conundrum. We’re talking about side effects of waxing and the dark spots it may bring along that are really the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from waxing. We’ve all been there, haven’t we?
Is waxing bad for your skin? Yes, waxing is painful but alas, effective as it removes hair right from the roots, and leaves your skin looking smooth. There are, however, definite side effects from this trauma inducing experience on the skin.
Does Waxing Make Your Skin Darker?
Post-inflammatory pigmentation may occur on your skin after your waxing session, which may lead your skin to appear darker. This means that the hot wax application and pulling of wax strips on your skin may produce pigmentation that causes dark spots. Additionally, freshly waxed skin is more sensitive to UV rays, which can worsen pigmentation. In fact, the heat and constant friction also contribute to making the skin dark post wax.
Waxing Can Reduce Skin Elasticity
Frequent waxing may cause the skin to momentarily stretch. When you wax your skin time and again, it gradually loses its elasticity because of the tugging and pulling. Waxing regularly can cause micro-tears in the skin, leading to collagen degradation which also leads to sagging skin.
Waxing May Damage Your Skin’s Moisture Barrier
Waxing removes not just hair but also a thin layer of dead skin cells. This may sound great as it’s doing two jobs for you at the same time, however, this means it can also strip the skin of its natural oils. This would lead to dryness, making the skin less supple and more prone to wrinkles.
Redness And Inflammation After Waxing
Waxing may leave your skin red and irritated, especially if you are getting waxed in a sensitive area. When repeated over years, this can weaken the skin barrier as well. This chronic skin irritation can accelerate the aging process too. Some preventive measures that you can take can be to wear loose, cotton clothing to your appointment and avoid a hot water bath for 24 hours. Also, keep yourself covered if you have to go out in the sun.
Waxing Can Cause Ingrown Hair
Ingrown hair means when new hair grows back into the skin instead of out of the follicle. This is because when hair is removed from the root and is pulled out completely during waxing, it can regrow and struggle to break through the skin, especially if the follicle is clogged. This makes your skin feel gritty. Regular exfoliation can curb this to some extent. Exfoliating would reduce the chance of dead skin cells, thereby unclogging the pores and making way for hair to grow back normally.
Risk of Infections After Waxing
Waxing opens up the pores on your skin, leaving the hair follicles temporarily open. This can leave it vulnerable to skin infections and bacteria. The idea here is to take proper post-wax care. To make it worse, tight clothes trap sweat and bacteria, increasing skin irritation. All you need to do is, use an antibacterial soap to clean up after. It’s advisable to apply soothing formulations like witch hazel, tea tree oil, or aloe vera to reduce redness and prevent bacteria buildup.
Possible Allergic Reactions from Waxing
Some wax formulas contain fragrances, resins, or preservatives that can trigger allergic reactions. It’s best to do a patch test before waxing and opt for hypoallergenic waxes if you have sensitive skin.
How to Minimize the Side Effects of Waxing with Skincare Routine
Taking care of your skin after waxing is crucial to prevent irritation, ingrown hairs, and other side effects. Follow these steps to keep your skin smooth and healthy:
- Exfoliate Gently: 24 to 48 hours after waxing, exfoliate your skin with a gentle scrub or exfoliating mitt. This helps prevent ingrown hairs by removing dead skin cells.
- Hydrate the Skin: Moisturize your skin with a soothing lotion or oil (such as aloe vera or tea tree oil) to calm and hydrate the area. This helps reduce redness and irritation.
- Avoid Hot Showers: For the first 24 hours, avoid hot showers, saunas, or steam, as the heat can irritate freshly waxed skin.
- Wear Loose Clothing: After waxing, avoid tight clothing around the waxed area to prevent friction and irritation.
- Apply a Cold Compress: If your skin feels inflamed or sensitive after waxing, apply a cold compress for 10-15 minutes to soothe the area.
- Avoid Sun Exposure: For at least 24-48 hours after waxing, avoid direct sun exposure, as your skin will be more sensitive to UV rays. If you need to go outside, use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
- No Scratching or Touching: Avoid touching, scratching, or rubbing the waxed area, as it can introduce bacteria and cause breakouts or irritation.
- Use Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe vera gel can soothe and cool the skin, reducing redness and inflammation while helping to promote healing.
While waxing is an effective hair removal method, it comes with its potential side effects such as skin irritation, ingrown hair, temporary loss of elasticity, and infection risks. You can address these concerns with preventive measures and post-wax care like gentle exfoliation after 48 hours or more, hydrating the skin well, and avoiding friction or harsh products after waxing, including touching the waxed area. The good news is that there are simpler (and less painful or even painless) ways for hair removal. Especially for people with sensitive skin, it may be best to consider alternative methods like laser hair removal, among other ways. After all, the idea is to get smooth skin that is also healthy inside and out. Isn’t it?
FAQs on Side Effects of Waxing
Does waxing damage the skin over time?
Waxing, when done properly, does not damage the skin. However, repeated waxing can sometimes cause skin irritation, thinning, or sensitivity. It's important to follow a good aftercare routine to minimize these risks.
Can waxing permanently darken skin?
Waxing itself doesn’t permanently darken the skin. However, repeated waxing can sometimes lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially if the skin is irritated or exposed to the sun. Using sunscreen and avoiding irritation can help prevent this.
How can I prevent the side effects of waxing?
To prevent side effects, make sure to exfoliate the skin regularly, moisturize to keep the skin hydrated, avoid sun exposure immediately after waxing, and follow a proper aftercare routine. Avoid waxing on irritated or damaged skin to reduce the risk of complications.
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