There are varieties of methods available to get rid of those unwanted hair. Shaving, plucking, depilatories (hair removal creams or liquids), waxing, electrolysis and laser hair removal are some of them. You might definitely know more than a few of the methods, and would have surely tried a couple of them. The oldest and one of the most widely used methods of hair removal is waxing. Here’s some information about waxing and its side effects.
Waxing is one of the most efficient methods of getting temporary relief from unwanted hair. It is a method of epilation, whereby the hair shaft is removed from below the surface of the skin. Waxing and its side effects have many types and categories.
There are two types of waxing techniques:
- Warm waxing and
- Cold waxing.
First let us see how waxing works:
A sticky wax is applied on the skin where there is growth of unwanted hair. Then a strip of paper or cloth is applied over the wax. This strip is then quickly pulled off. This strip pulls off along with it the hair root and also the dead skin cells. After waxing, the re-growth of hair may take around 2-3 weeks. For waxing to be more effective, the length of the hair should be around 1/4th inch. This process is applied in most of the cases for waxing and its side effects are also common and mild.
Like other things, waxing too has certain side effects. There are various types with different aftermaths. But waxing and its side effects are very nominal in its velocity. While pain and scarring would be minor after effects, hyper pigmentation, folliculitis and Pseudofolliculitis are the more grave ones.
- Pain: Waxing is a little painful since the hair is ripped off from its root. First timers might feel a bit scared but though waxing is painful, it is not entirely unbearable.
- Scarring: Some may experience a little scarring on the waxed area. This happens in rare cases. People with delicate skin might experience scarring.
- Hyper pigmentation: Hyper pigmentation refers to excessive darkening of the skin. It is an inflammatory response of the skin to waxing. There is no need for any treatment, since these marks are harmless.
- Folliculitis: Folliculitis is a skin condition where there are inflamed hair follicles. This means, sometimes the skin develops tender red spots after waxing.
- Pseudofolliculitis: It is normally referred to as ingrown hairs. It is type of folliculitis where in inflation occurs around the ingrown hair. This happens when waxing is done in the direction against the follicle. It can easily be treated with medication.
Most of the times the above waxing and its side effects occur either due to sensitive nature of the skin or improper procedure of waxing. It is advisable to get waxing done from an experienced professional. Otherwise, if you want to do it yourself learn the proper procedure of doing it.
Some tips to avoid side effects are:
- While waxing, see to it that you pull off the strip in the direction of follicles.
- If possible, sit in an air-conditioned room while waxing. This may help reduce inflammation.
- Use a good lotion after waxing.
- Avoid waxing if you are diabetic, as the chances of developing infection are high.
- Avoid waxing, if you are on anti-acne medications or are suffering from sunburn since these make the skin more sensitive.
15 Comments
Does the blackening of skin happen?
i would like to know if it matter what type of material you use to rip the wax & unwanted hair off. i’m not sure if you have a certain type of strip. i need help quick!! yes, i plan to wax pretty soon. (first time)
Discoloration after waxing
I waxed my stomach a little over a week ago It was red afterwards in a one area, as usual, and I thought it would go away after a day. THE SKIN FELT FINE. It did not feel burnt or raw, or anything. I am not on any medications. Five days later, however, the red spot had turned brown, and it was starting to look much like a scar. I started putting lotion with cocoa butter on it, and then Summit’s Skin Whitening cream. Now it’s been a little over a week and it’s still here.
What is this? Will it go away or is it a scar? Should I continue putting whitening cream/cocoa butter lotion on it?
Christine. I was reading your comments and noticed you suffered from scarring after waxing. I am in a similar situation, where I waxed my upper lip and have been left with a scar. It has now also been a week and a half and the scar is still there. I would like to know as a matter of interest since your comments were posted in August, whether or not your scar has began to disappear or lighten, and if so whish particular products or creams/oils did you use. i would really appreciate a reply since I am extremely distressed about this scar especially as it is on my face.
whenever i wax my arms,i get slight rashes on the upper arms and then they turn to acne.suggest me something because this is something i cant get rid off and i need to do waxing once a month and this always happen.
HI aakrit,
I get acne also after waxing. did you use any product to get rid of it?
can you please tell me?
Help anyone!
I waxed my upper lip last night and when I was dine my upper lip area was red….like having a rash on top. I thought it would go away next morning, but it hasn’t. Now my upper lip feels tender, and has blotchy red spots. Why did this happen?! What do I do to fix it?! Will it heal on it’s own?! Someone plz help and respond!!
help!
I waxed my upper lip yesterday and an hour later it was full of red bumps what should i do does it need any treatment??
If so please comment!
at what age we should start waxing?
i would say that actually waxing upper lip s not preferable as the skin thr s very sensitive. u can try out hair removal creams for face like nair or threading…
I’m no expert but having been waxed a few times and talked pretty in depth with the woman who did the waxing for me I’d like to provide a little info- you can start waxing at any age but since it is a pretty painful i wouldnt recommend doing it before you need to. the more you wax the less it hurts because the roots will be smaller and not as deep after waxing. I dont know about long term marks left by waxing because it didnt come up at any appointment of mine and ive never had that happen. as far as breakouts- they can be avoided by NOT USING LOTION. when you wax you open up pores that are usually small and this allows for oils to collect in those pores which is what makes you break out. clean the waxed area with baby wipes and baby powder and you should be all set. lotion (especially aveeno calming lotion) might help with redness if its doesnt go away on its own after roughly 24 hours but i wouldnt put a lot and maybe a little baby powder after because like i said it can cause breakouts. also like someone else posted, keep the area cool will help because heat inflames rashes and redness and makes them worse. if you are having problems with waxing after effects it could just be that you have sensitive skin and they do have waxes specifically designed for people with sensitive skin. They also have products that you can buy to put on after waxing to calm the skin and products you can put on before (usually a spray bottle or lotion) that kind of ‘coat’ your skin so when you put the wax on and pull it off less stress is put on your skin. Hope this is helpful and good luck!
whenever i get my arms waxed thn after 6-7 days i get acne on upper arms..how can i get rid of it??
the problem with my skin is that for the last 4 years i have been waxing and cause of that small red spots about the size of pin point have developed allover my skin which never go away even if i stop waxing for a few months..i have even tried razer but nothing works..my doctor said that its a kind of folliculitis….would any one please tell me whats the cure for this??
i have wrinkle like formation on my legs now from waxing? are they any ways to cure that and avoid it? and also if u know if some1 is gettin laser hair reduction treatment done wen they are going for the treatment is it better if the hair is fully grow or should it be waxed?
thanks
Hi,
before 48 hours i wexed my arms with warm wax and on one of my hand there are red marks. I m worried. Will these marka go? what should be a home remedy for these spots?