Waxing After Care

[JustAskJulie]

Ladies, those of you who get waxed, what do you find to be the best way to decrease the irritation and redness / swelling following getting a brazillian wax?

Just had one today and the area is rather red and swollen. The areas closest to the lips is the most swollen and irritated. I bought some "bikini zone" and have been applying that liberally all day. It seems to have helped some, but is there something that works better?

[JustAskJulie]

ok, day two and the area right around my coochie is still tender to the touch. What can I do next time around to reduce this swelling and tenderness? The redness has pretty well gone away at this point.

[rpu3]

Wow, I just don't know. Sounds painful.

I don't wax any more. I've done it three times, and I swear the last time caused scarring. Yet razor burn leaves an equal mess.

For both waxing and shaving, I use Tend Skin. I also use Sea Breeze, because it has the same ingredients at a fraction of the price (I've only found Tend Skin in salons, but that could have changed). I think the salicylic acid (aspirin's active ingredient) seems to help more than Bikini Zone.

[des1re06]

My GYN recommended Domeboro powder. It is very soothing and prevents infection and spots. You apply it as a warm compress with a washcloth.

I was too irritated to put anything with alcohol down there-ouchie!

Mrs. D

[JustAskJulie]

Originally Posted by rpu3

For both waxing and shaving, I use Tend Skin. I also use Sea Breeze, because it has the same ingredients at a fraction of the price (I've only found Tend Skin in salons, but that could have changed). I think the salicylic acid (aspirin's active ingredient) seems to help more than Bikini Zone.

I haven't seen Tend Skin, I'll ask about it when I got to the salon next time. Sea Breeze as in the astringent?

The things you learn from the board, I had no idea that Salicylic acid was the active ingridient in aspirin... I just know it's the active ingridient in the anti-acne products.

Originally Posted by des1re06

My GYN recommended Domeboro powder. It is very soothing and prevents infection and spots. You apply it as a warm compress with a washcloth.

I was too irritated to put anything with alcohol down there-ouchie!

Where do you get the Domebroro powder?

I know what you mean. The bikini zone stuff burned initially then was ok. But what I noticed was that using that stuff my panties STICK to me, and when I take them off/down it pulls at the skin. OUCH!

BTW, feeling much better this morning, the swelling seems to have gone away now.

[kittyscave]

Julie -
Sorry I was out of town and just saw your post. My aesthetician recommended Tend Skin, too. She told me to get it at Beauty Brands. I also use a wash cloth soaked in cold milk to reduce the itching, swelling, and tenderness. Then, exfoliate around 3 days later - gently if you are still sore - so you don't get ingrown hairs.
I just had my second one today. It still hurt, but the swelling, redness, and tenderness are much less this time.
Good luck!!!

[JustAskJulie]

Originally Posted by kittyscave

Julie -
Sorry I was out of town and just saw your post. My aesthetician recommended Tend Skin, too. She told me to get it at Beauty Brands. I also use a wash cloth soaked in cold milk to reduce the itching, swelling, and tenderness. Then, exfoliate around 3 days later - gently if you are still sore - so you don't get ingrown hairs.
I just had my second one today. It still hurt, but the swelling, redness, and tenderness are much less this time.
Good luck!!!

That's good to hear HOw many weeks did you wait in between?

[kittyscave]

Unfortunately, my hair grows REALLY fast. I think at 3 weeks I already had to shave for my hubby's b-day (too short to wax, too long and stubbly for me to feel comfortable). One and a half weeks later I was ready for the wax. I'm hoping eventually to be able to go 4 weeks. But, I'm thinking that after my Hedo trip in July I might just go for the laser removal. I believe you are not supposed to do laser while using a tanning bed, so I'll have to wait for a few weeks after vacation. I'm really not digging the whole needing to grow out phase, though.

[screaminggood]

Kittyscave,

When you do laser you don't have to let it grow out....you can shave because the laser "sees" the dark hair under the skin and zaps it down there.

[kittyscave]

Thanks screamingood. That's what I suspected, which is why I will likely swich when the timing is better. I appreciate the input.

[des1re06]

I found it at CVS. It's in the first aid section.

I have Tend Skin too, and it's mostly alcohol. I've found Domeboro to be a better choice for me. Depends on how sensitive your skin is (mine is very).

I get waxed once a month; more in the summer. Laser or electrolysis is next on my to-do list.

Mrs. D

[JustAskJulie]

Originally Posted by screaminggood

Kittyscave,

When you do laser you don't have to let it grow out....you can shave because the laser "sees" the dark hair under the skin and zaps it down there.

Now that is good to know!

[terradea]

I get waxed regularly, and I've had some really terrible experiences, including my skin ripped off around my labia, deep tissue bruising, and ingrown hairs the size of peas (with a lot of pain!). My new spa (I've had no issues with them) uses antiseptic on me immediately after waxing. I get an occasional red bump and/or minor ingrown hairs, but nothing serious.

[petra6998]

This is kinda making me not want to go get wax job done.

[des1re06]

I've been waxing about 2 years now and love it. It was actually recommended by my GYN over shaving.

Definitely get a referral. It takes training to do it right. Your labia can easily get burned. From experience, don't try this at home!

Ask how long ago and where they trained. Are they experienced in waxing the labia or just on top? Ask if she turns the heat down before waxing the labia. The answer should be yes!

I've seen a big difference in estheticians. Some are good and some are not, just like hair stylists.

For what it's worth, we both love the smooth feel, so I will continue to wax.

Mrs. D