Summer is fast approaching, and many women, and some men, will be keen to look their best on the beach or by the pool. The global beauty market is huge today, and a large part of that involves waxing.
According to Globe Newswire, the hair removal wax market was worth $2.6 billion in 2020. That was in the US alone. The global market was worth around $9.8 billion that same year.
While beauty treatments are designed to bring out the best for their customers, occasionally there may be slight problems. One uncomfortable side effect of being waxed is that sometimes an ingrowing hair may occur. If this has occurred to you, or you want to prevent it from happening, read on.
What is a Brazilian wax?
If you are unclear about what a Brazilian is or are thinking of having your first one, here is a brief run-down of what it entails.
The Brazilian wax was invented and popularized by one Janea Padilha in New York. The Brazilian involves using hot wax to remove all the pubic hair around the genitals and the behind.
The customer can choose to go completely bare or leave a small strip or shape at the front. It is a popular beauty choice for many women, and some men also like to wax these days.
Why do ingrown hairs occur sometimes after waxing?
There are some things you should know about waxing, and one of them is how long the hair should be before getting a Brazilian.
If the hair hasn’t grown out, the waxing may not remove all the hair as the wax will not grip it. If a hair is left behind, it could start to grow under the skin. When this happens it may grow in the wrong direction and this is what is known as ingrown hair.
Ingrowing hairs can occur when a beautician uses poor technique also. If the hair is removed at the skin level instead of at the root, it can lead to ingrowing hairs.
While you don’t need to consider ingrowing hair as particularly dangerous, it can be extremely painful, and there is a risk of infection.
What should you do if you have ingrown hair after a Brazilian?
If you are going to get a Brazilian wax, you should look for a licensed practitioner here, or in your local area. An experienced beautician will be able to advise you on how to prepare for a Brazilian wax treatment to get the best results.
However, if you did end up with an ingrowing hair, as can occasionally happen, it is best to know how to deal with it.
Prevention and aftercare
You may find after having a Brazilian treatment that your skin is somewhat sensitive. You can alleviate this in some ways, and this may also help prevent getting any ingrown hairs.
Wear loose-fitting clothes after having a wax. If you wear tight clothing you may irritate the skin which can cause soreness and possibly infection.
You can also use heat to help stop the possibility of ingrown hairs occurring. A hot compress can be applied to the waxed area for a few minutes, and this can help to draw out any hairs that may be ingrowing.
The importance of exfoliation between treatments
Another way to prevent ingrowing hairs, or at least reduce the chances of them, is to exfoliate regularly.
Choose an exfoliant that is mild, and use this regularly. This may help to reduce the odds of having ingrown hairs when you next have a wax.
How do you remove ingrown hairs?
Any individual who has had ingrown hair will tell you that it can be very discomfiting. Your underwear will rub against it which will cause more irritation and redness.
One possible treatment for ingrown hairs is laser removal. This is a permanent hair removal process, but it may not be desirable for some, or even practical.
Another treatment for ingrowing hairs is to use an exfoliant solution that contains salicylic acid. An exfoliant with salicylic acid will help the skin to renew and reduce the soreness. Gently exfoliating the problem area can help to draw the hair out and start growing in the right direction.
You should be aware that other problems can occur such as folliculitis. This could mean that antibiotics or other treatments are needed. It is easy to mistake folliculitis for an ingrown hair, so consult your doctor if necessary.
Summary
There are many different methods of hair removal, and waxing is preferable to shaving for many. However, sometimes waxing can leave behind small bumps and sore areas. Occasionally, you may suffer from an ingrown hair.
Try the prevention methods above to stop the likelihood of ingrown hairs. But, if you do suffer from one or more, then try exfoliating gently. If the soreness doesn’t improve after a couple of days then you should consult with your regular health practitioner.
