Published: Oct 8, 2008
By Melissa Hill

Each month, you send in waxing questions for our resident hair removal expert, Shala Dveirin. This month she’s talking about breakouts, in-growns and how to keep skin smooth.

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Q. Hello Shala,

I have had this question for a long time. I’ve been waxing for over 12 years now and have occasionally had a back wax client who breaks out w/whitehead pimples a few days later. I have used different lotions made specifically for post wax, with or without essential oils. Most recently, I have tried Calydryl Clear Lotion (clear gel-like lotion, soothing). Still back clients break out! Ugh! Also, I suggested my client bathe in warm Epsom Salt water the same night, hoping to draw that food for the hair to the surface and out.

Any suggestions? I remain perplexed...

Thank you much.

Sincerely,

Lisa

 

A. Hi Lisa,

The first thing to understand and to pass on to your clients is that break out is a normal reaction to waxing. Always tell your clients there is a possibility of break out and they will then be prepared for it. I do not recommend taking a bath or any thing else that could cause irritation to the skin. Other things they can do things to keep it at a minimum or from possibly occurring at all:

1.  Keep the area clean. Tell your clients not to do any strenuous exercise or be in a position to sweat a lot after a wax. And do not touch it.

2.  Exfoliate, as soon as it is comfortable to do so.

3.  Have your clients use a bump product right after waxing and for the next few days. Do not wait till the bumps appear and you have to try and get rid of them – do it from day one and they will see a difference. 

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Q. Hi Shala,

I have many bikini wax clients and not all of them have ingrown hair problems. But for those that do, what is the best remedy for it?

Tonya

 

A. Hi Tonya,

Ingrown hairs can be a problem for anyone. They are more common than not and it is very important that you educate your clients on this fact. The best thing you can do is not wait till your clients tell you they have in-grown hairs but to provide them with the necessary tools to prevent them from occurring. Here are the three steps all clients should take after waxing for the prevention of in-grown hairs:

1.  Heal with calming gel right after waxing.

2.  Exfoliate. Once tenderness subsides, follow daily in the shower with a gentle exfoliant. By sloughing off the dead skin cells that build up on the surface of the skin you will give the hairs a way to break through the skin and not reverse themselves and go back in.

3.  Use a product with low levels of AHAs to continue to exfoliate the skin and add anti-bacterial action.

By following the steps I’ve described, you’ll help your clients have nice smooth skin in- between apts.

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