Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Soothe contact dermatitis
• Method 2 of 3: Treating folliculitis
• Method 3 of 3: Prevent rashes and irritation
• Necessities

Facial waxing is a quick and effective way to get rid of unwanted facial hair. Unfortunately, it can cause a rash and skin irritation. If you experience an itchy, red rash or dry, flaky skin after waxing, you may have contact eczema. Waxing can also cause folliculitis, a lumpy rash caused by ingrown hair or inflamed hair follicles. Treat these common types of rashes with medicines and home remedies. Next time, make sure you don't get a rash again by taking precautions before and after waxing. If waxing is causing recurring and serious skin problems, see a dermatologist and / or have your facial hair waxed by a professional.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Soothe contact dermatitis

1. Determine if you have contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis can occur if your skin is damaged or irritated by something, such as applying hot wax. Symptoms include redness, itching, bumps and blisters if the resin was too hot and the wrong texture and thickness when applied.
   • If you experience swelling, sensitive skin and a burning sensation, stop waxing at home and consider getting treatment from a professional.
2. Use a cold compress. Immediately soften the skin after waxing by placing an ice pack on the skin. To soften the skin for longer, wet a washcloth with cool water and hold it on the irritated skin for 15-30 minutes at a time. If necessary, repeat this treatment several times a day.
   • Don't leave the ice on your skin for more than 20 minutes. After removing the ice pack from your skin, wait for your skin to warm up and return to normal feeling before putting the ice pack back on your skin.
3. Wash your skin with cool water and a mild cleanser. Soften your face by gently washing it with cool water. Use an oatmeal cleanser or mix 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of baking soda with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water to make your own gentle cleanser.
   • Colloidal oatmeal cleansers have anti-inflammatory properties, so they are particularly helpful in soothing irritated skin.
   • Baking soda gently cleanses your skin and soothes itching.
4. Hydrate the skin. After washing your skin, apply a mild, unscented moisturizer to your irritated skin. Look for a moisturizer without dyes, fragrances, parabens, and oils. Apply it to your damp face.
   • Moisturizers with ceramide can work particularly well to treat contact dermatitis.
5. Apply steroid ointment. Try a lotion or ointment with steroids such as 1% strength hydrocortisone cream. Apply it once or twice a day for 4 weeks. Please note that these remedies are only available on prescription.
   • If the ointment doesn't work, your doctor may be able to prescribe a stronger topical or an oral corticosteroid.
6. Spread some calamine lotion or ointment on your skin. Calamine lotion can soothe itching and irritation caused by contact dermatitis. You can use the lotion as often as you like to relieve the itchiness. Calamine lotion works in part by drying out irritated skin, so you may need to moisturize your skin afterwards.
   • Calamine lotion works best if you apply it immediately after washing your face while your skin is still damp.
   • If you prefer, you can mix the calamine lotion with your moisturizer and apply both at the same time.
7. Don't scratch your skin. Your rash may be very itchy, but it is important not to scratch it. Scratching the rash will only make the irritation worse. Trim your fingernails and / or wear gloves or socks on your hands while you sleep to make it less likely to scratch yourself.
8. In case of severe reaction, see your doctor. If your skin reacts badly after waxing or if the rash does not go away with home remedies and over-the-counter medicines, you may need to see a doctor or a dermatologist. Make an appointment with your doctor if:
   • The rash is very painful or causes so much discomfort that you cannot sleep and do your daily activities.
   • The rash does not get better within three weeks.
   • The rash spreads to areas that have not been depilated.
   • You get a fever, blisters and pus
   • Your lungs, eyes, and nose feel irritated.

Method 2 of 3: Treating folliculitis

1. Determine if you have folliculitis. You get folliculitis when your hair follicles become inflamed and when a hair grows into the skin instead of growing out of the hair follicle (ingrown hair). The following symptoms indicate folliculitis caused by waxing:
   • Red bumps or pimples around the hair follicle in the area that has been depilated with wax.
   • The skin is red, sensitive and inflamed.
   • The skin itches and burns.
2. Wash your skin. Gently wash your skin with warm (but not hot) water and a mild antibacterial facial cleanser. Make sure you always use a fresh and clean washcloth. Wash your skin twice a day. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel afterwards.
   • Look for cleansers without dyes, fragrances and parabens.
   • Cleansers with tea tree oil can be useful to treat and prevent folliculitis.
3. Hydrate your skin after washing. Use a mild moisturizer without dyes, fragrances and parabens. Use mild lotions designed for sensitive skin such as Cetaphil or Eucerin.
4. Use a warm compress. Soak a soft washcloth in warm water and then wring it out. Apply the compress 3-6 times on the rash for 10 minutes at a time. This helps to soothe inflammation and also helps to drain pimples and blisters.
5. Apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. Treat the area with an antibiotic ointment or cream like a triple antibiotic cream. Follow the directions on the package carefully or ask your doctor how often to apply it.
6. Use a lotion that soothes the itching. Anti-itch lotions that contain oatmeal and calamine lotion are good choices for soothing folliculitis. Do not relieve the itching with hydrocortisone cream, as this can cause a fungal infection.
7. See a dermatologist if you have severe folliculitis. If the rash caused by the folliculitis causes a lot of pain, spreads and does not go away after several days of home treatment, see a dermatologist. The dermatologist can remove ingrown hair and / or give you a prescription for an oral or topical agent if the condition is caused by a fungal or bacterial infection. He or she can also give you medication to ease the inflammation.
   • If you have a fungal or bacterial infection, don't use a washcloth that you use on your face on any other part of your body. This allows the infection to spread.

Method 3 of 3: Prevent rashes and irritation

1. Exfoliate your skin the night before waxing. Gently exfoliating the skin before waxing can help prevent ingrown hair and folliculitis. The day before you go or get your skin waxed, wash your face with a mild exfoliator. Do not rub your skin hard, but gently massage your face with your fingertips or a clean washcloth, making circular movements.
2. Always use clean tools for waxing. Reusing applicators and not properly cleaning the waxing tools can spread bacteria, fungal infections, and even viruses that cause rashes. Always wash your hands and face before getting started and never dip an applicator into the resin twice. If you are undergoing treatment at a salon, check that the employee is wearing gloves and using sterile devices that have been properly stored.
3. Immediately after waxing, apply a cold compress to the skin. Placing an ice pack or cold compress on the skin for 15-20 minutes immediately after waxing can help soothe your skin. By cooling your skin, your pores and hair follicles will also close, so that no bacteria can get into it.
   • A post-wax cooling gel based on aloe vera can soothe irritated skin and help prevent bumps and blemishes.
4. Do not touch the depilated area. It can be tempting to touch your smooth, freshly shaved skin, but touching your skin too much can irritate it and allow bacteria to get on it. Don't touch your skin more often than necessary (for example, to wash it and apply moisturizer) until it has healed for a few days.
5. Use a moisturizer without oil. Before and after waxing, use a mild moisturizer without dyes, fragrances and oils. These ingredients can irritate your skin and clog your pores. So use a mild moisturizer like aloe vera gel or witch hazel.
6. Do not exercise before and after waxing. Excessive sweating can clog your pores, irritate your skin, and increase bumps and blemishes. If you do want to exercise, do this well before waxing or wait after waxing until your skin has been able to heal for a few days.
7. Try an alternative to waxing. If waxing regularly gives you a rash or skin irritation, consider alternative methods of hair removal. Try a hair removal cream specifically for the face or make an appointment with a beautician to find out if laser treatments are a good idea for you.
   • Laser treatments are not suitable for shaping your eyebrows. Use a hair removal cream designed for eyebrows or try another method like plucking.

Necessities

• Cold compress or ice bag
• Baking soda
• Facial cleanser based on oatmeal
• Moisturizing agent for the face without fragrances, dyes and oil
• Prescription ointment with steroids
• Calamine lotion
• Clean washcloth
• Warm water
• Mild antibacterial facial cleanser
• Table salt
• Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment
• Oatmeal lotion against itching
• Clean resin applicators
• Medicines (prescribed or recommended by your doctor)