HAIR REMOVAL

Waxing is a popular method for removing unwanted hair from nearly any part of the body. This method involves applying a layer of wax to the skin, allowing the wax to adhere to the hair, and then quickly removing the wax, pulling the hair out from the root.

We mostly use hard wax, which is particularly effective for sensitive areas.

How Waxing Works (Hard Wax)

Application: Warm hard wax is applied to the skin in a thick layer, in the direction of hair growth.
Adhesion: The hard wax cools and hardens, encapsulating the hair.
Removal: The hard wax is lifted directly from the skin, without the use of a strip, and quickly pulled off in the opposite direction of hair growth. This action removes the hair from the root.

What to Expect During and After Waxing

During: You may feel a brief stinging or pulling sensation when the wax is removed. The sensitivity varies depending on the area being waxed and your personal pain tolerance. Hard wax is designed to minimize this discomfort.
Immediately After: You may experience some redness and slight irritation in the waxed area, which usually subsides within a few hours.
1-2 Days After: The skin might be a little sensitive.
Long Term: With regular waxing, hair regrowth becomes slower, finer, and sparser.

Benefits of Waxing

Provides smoother results than shaving.
Hair takes longer to grow back compared to shaving.
Reduces the likelihood of ingrown hairs when done correctly.
With repeated waxing, the hair follicle can become damaged, leading to slower and sometimes permanent hair reduction.
Hard wax is often preferred for sensitive areas and can be less painful than other waxing methods.

How Often Should You Get Waxed?

The frequency of waxing depends on your hair growth, but it is typically recommended every 3 to 6 weeks. This allows the hair to grow long enough for the wax to effectively grip it.

Contraindications for Waxing

Skin Conditions:

Active skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea in the area to be waxed.
Broken skin, cuts, or open wounds.
Severe acne or sunburn.

Medications:

Accutane (Isotretinoin): Wait at least 6 months to a year after discontinuing use.
Retin-A or other retinoids: These medications thin the skin and make it more susceptible to tearing.
Blood-thinning medications.
Certain antibiotics.

Recent Treatments:

Recent chemical peels.
Microdermabrasion, or laser skin resurfacing.
Recent sun exposure.

Other Conditions:
Diabetes: If you have diabetes, consult your doctor before waxing, as you may be more prone to infection.

Poor circulation.

Other Considerations: a histamine reaction

A histamine reaction after waxing is a very common and normal immune response by your body. It doesn't mean you're allergic to the wax itself, but rather that your skin perceives the hair being pulled from the follicle as a minor trauma or "attack."

What it is:

When hair is removed from the root, your body's immune system releases histamine.
Histamine is a chemical that helps the body respond to injury and inflammation. It causes blood vessels to enlarge, increasing blood flow to the affected area as part of the body's defense mechanism.

Symptoms:

Red, itchy bumps or welts: These are the most common signs, resembling hives or a rash.
Redness (Erythema): The waxed area may appear red and inflamed.
Swelling: Slight swelling in the affected area.
Sometimes, small white or clear pustules can also appear, which are part of this normal histamine response.

Key characteristics:

Appears quickly: Symptoms usually appear immediately after waxing or within a few hours. This helps distinguish it from an allergic reaction to the wax itself (which might take longer to develop).
Temporary: Histamine reactions typically last for a few hours, though in some cases, they can persist for up to 24-48 hours.
Not an allergy to the wax: It's a reaction to the physical act of hair removal, not necessarily to the product.

Why it happens:

The act of pulling hair from the follicle is a "stressor" or minor trauma to the skin.
Your immune system responds by sending histamine to "fight" this perceived threat and aid in the healing process.

How to treat/manage it:

Cool compress: Apply a cold pack or cool compress to the affected area to help reduce redness and swelling.
Soothing products: Apply fragrance-free aloe vera gel, hydrocortisone cream (1%), or other calming post-wax lotions.
Antihistamines: For more pronounced reactions, taking an over-the-counter oral antihistamine (like Benadryl or Claritin) an hour before waxing can help prevent symptoms. Applying a topical antihistamine cream (like Benadryl cream) immediately after waxing can also greatly reduce discomfort. Remember, any medication needs to be approved by your doctor.
Avoid irritants: For 24-48 hours after waxing, avoid hot showers, saunas, sweating, tight clothing, and fragranced products, which can exacerbate irritation.
Consistency: Interestingly, consistent waxing can sometimes lead to fewer histamine reactions over time as your body becomes more accustomed to the process.

If symptoms are severe, spread, worsen, persist beyond 48 hours, or include signs of infection (like pus or severe pain), it's important to consult a healthcare professional.

It is crucial to inform your esthetician about any medications or skin conditions you have before your waxing appointment.

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