As you may already know, waxing can be a painful experience. It also can irritate the area, and friction (like that of sex) can worsen the irritation.
This is why it’s important to wait 24 hours before engaging in sexual activity. Having sex too soon can cause many complications, including infection.
1. It can irritate the freshly waxed area
When you get a wax, your vulva is exposed to a lot of friction and heat. This can lead to irritation and a rash. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help prevent this. First, make sure you wear loose-fitting clothing. This will allow the skin to breathe and heal. You can also try applying a cooling gel to the area after you wax. This can reduce swelling and pain, and it can also help prevent a rash.
You should also avoid vigorous exercise and sweating after a wax. This can irritate the skin and cause a rash. You should also avoid tanning, hot tubs, and saunas. This is because these can irritate the skin and cause an infection.
Finally, you should avoid picking at any bumps or ingrown hairs that appear after a wax. This can lead to infections, as bacteria on your fingers can get into the irritated skin and cause an infection. It is also a good idea to use a gentle exfoliant on the area after a wax. This will help remove any dead skin cells that can clog pores and cause irritation.
You should also avoid using products that can irritate the skin, including soaps, deodorants, and bleached panty liners. Finally, you should use a barrier cream on the labia area after a wax.
2. It can cause ingrown hairs
Ingrown hairs are painful, itchy, and can interfere with the aesthetic of freshly-waxed skin. The good news is that they can be prevented. Ingrown hairs occur when a hair follicle grows and emerges from the surface of the skin, but either fails to protrude all the way or curls back into the skin and becomes embedded. This can happen anywhere on the body where waxing is done, but it’s most common in areas that have thicker hair, like armpits or the legs.
Waxing reduces the chances of ingrown hairs because it removes the hair from the root, rather than cutting it at the surface like shaving. However, if you have thicker hair or curly hair, you may still be prone to ingrown hairs after waxing, especially if you’ve previously shaved. Shaving often causes hairs to grow back with blunted ends, making it more likely that the follicle will pierce the skin and become embedded.
To prevent ingrown hairs after waxing, exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells and help the follicles come up fully and protrude from the surface of the skin. You can try physical exfoliation methods, such as dry brushing, or chemical exfoliants, such as a chemical peel. You can also use a product designed to treat ingrown hairs, such as a serum that contains tea tree oil, but be sure to test it for any allergies or sensitivities before using.
3. It can cause infection
If a wax is applied too hot, you can get chemical burns in the most intimate areas of your body. This can also happen if your technician isn’t careful when she’s handling the wax pot. She should use clean hands or latex gloves and never double dip into the same spatula – this can transfer bacteria from your genitals to the wax and then back onto your vaginal area.
Ingrown hairs are another common side effect of waxing. They occur when hair reverts to its natural state and grows into the skin instead of outwards like it’s supposed to. This can cause tiny bumps that resemble pimples and can be especially painful in the genital area.
Folliculitis is another possible infection that can occur when a hair follicle becomes damaged during waxing and then infects itself with bacteria or viruses. It looks like little red, white, or pus-filled pimples around the hair follicle and can be itchy and uncomfortable. This type of infection isn’t serious for most non-immune compromised clients, but can be more severe for those with a weak immune system.
Herpes is one of the more dangerous infections that can be contracted during a wax. The virus can enter tears in the skin caused by the waxing process and then spread to other parts of the body, such as the genitals. It can also be passed on to sexual partners, so it’s important to take precautions if you have genital herpes or are immunocompromised.
4. It can cause redness
Having a wax can cause redness on the skin due to hair follicles being opened up. You can prevent this by gently exfoliating the area before your appointment and taking a hydrating shower right after your wax to help keep dead skin from blocking open hair follicles.
If you’re experiencing redness post-wax, try avoiding tight clothing and applying an ice pack or cold compress to the affected area. Avoiding any other activity that could irritate the area, like sweating or intense workouts, can also reduce redness and irritation. You can also use a lightweight body lotion that won’t clog pores to help calm the area.
You can also add a little bit of lavender oil to your lotion to help soothe the area and reduce inflammation and itching. It’s important to resist the urge to scratch the itchiness, as this can damage the freshly waxed area and introduce bacteria into the open wound.
It’s also a good idea to avoid pools, beaches, and any other body contact that may expose the freshly waxed area. The sun can be even more irritating on sensitive areas, as well as steamy, hot showers and baths. Keeping the skin as clean as possible will ensure it heals faster and is less prone to infection. You can also wear loose clothing that allows the area to breathe and apply a cooling compress or ice pack as needed for any itchiness or pain.
