Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Using home remedies
• Method 2 of 3: Using essential oils
• Method 3 of 3: Avoid irritation
• Tips
• Warnings

Waxing is a popular form of hair removal where strips of wax are applied to the skin and then pulled off. Because the method is so aggressive, waxing can make the areas where it is used red. While the discoloration will disappear over time, there are a number of things you can do to speed up this process.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Using home remedies

1. Make a cool compress of milk, water and ice. Combine equal parts of cold milk, water, and ice in a bowl. Soak a clean cloth with this mixture and then apply it to the affected area for five minutes. Repeat the application three times.
   • The inflammation of your skin after waxing is similar to a sunburn, and a cool compress will constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling, making the redness less visible.
   • The proteins in the milk aid in healing and also protect your skin.
2. Use a cotton ball dipped in witch hazel. Pour about three tablespoons of witch hazel into a small bowl and soak a clean cloth or cotton wool in it. Lightly dab the skin that has turned red as needed. The tannin and oil in witch hazel are anti-inflammatory and thus reduce redness and discomfort.
3. Make a cooling cucumber mask. Cucumber has long been known for its analgesic properties and contains antioxidants, which support the healing of red and inflamed skin. Slice a chilled cucumber and place it on the red areas of your skin. Flip the slices over as they heat up through your skin so that the cool side is always on your skin.
   • For a lasting effect, prepare a cucumber paste as a mask with a food processor or grater and apply it to the affected area.
   • For a thicker paste, add some cornstarch or aloe vera juice.
4. Make a soothing colloidal oatmeal mask. Colloidal oatmeal is made from finely ground oatmeal and soothes inflammation and moisturizes the skin. Mix a few teaspoons of 100% pure colloidal oatmeal with just enough water to make a paste. Apply it to the red skin and let the paste dry for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
   • Use this treatment up to four times a week.
   • Make a colloidal oatmeal bath when the redness is mostly on your body rather than your face. You can buy bath packs containing 100% colloidal oatmeal from a pharmacy.
   • Make your own colloidal oatmeal by grinding stone ground or rolled oats (not cereal) in a food grinder or food processor.
5. Apply curative apple cider vinegar. Vinegar has a healing effect on mild burns, which the redness can refer to. Put a cup of pure, unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a spray bottle and apply it to red skin after a lukewarm shower. Let the vinegar dry on your skin.
   • You can also soak cotton wool in apple cider vinegar and dab it gently on the affected areas.
6. Apply a soothing blend of mint and green tea. Mint is a natural coolant, and green tea contains tannic acid and theobromine that help relieve pain and heal damaged skin. Pour 1 liter of boiling water into a pot with five bags of green tea and three cups of fresh mint. Put the lid on the jar and let the mixture steep and cool for at least one hour. Soak a cotton ball in the liquid and apply it to the red area.
   • Black tea also contains medicinal tannin, so you can use it as a substitute for green tea.
   • You can also pour the cooled liquid directly over the burning area, if desired.
7. Use anti-inflammatory manuka honey. This New Zealand honey comes from bees that feed on the manuka tree, and the honey has been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Apply a small amount to the affected area, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water.
   • Make sure to only buy manuka honey with a UMF / OMA value of 15 or higher. Scientists in New Zealand developed this system for assessing the honey's antibacterial activity.
   • The antibacterial properties of this honey also make it suitable as a daily cleanser.
8. Apply a thin layer with 1% hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone can be used without a prescription for temporary relief from minor skin irritations. Hydrocortisone is an anti-inflammatory agent and also constricts blood vessels, reducing redness. Wash the affected area, then gently rub a thin layer over it, up to four times a day.
   • Try a moisturizer with ceramide or the antioxidants feverfew or licorice extract before using hydrocortisone to protect and soothe your skin.
   • If you want to apply hydrocortisone as a spray, shake the bottle well and keep the nozzle 7.5-15 cm from your skin. Do not inhale the fumes and protect your eyes when spraying near your face.

Method 2 of 3: Using essential oils

1. Consider an essential oil to reduce redness and protect your skin. Essential oils are steam-distilled plant extracts and therefore have a very powerful effect, and all warnings about potential side effects and allergic reactions should be heeded when applying them. Any essential oil you will be applying should be diluted in a "carrier oil" such as olive oil, to about 1-3%, before use on the skin.
   • Certain essential oils can have unwanted side effects in pregnancy or conditions such as high blood pressure or epilepsy. Before using herbal remedies, consult your doctor.
   • While many essential oils can be combined, be careful not to use too many at the same time, as the side effects and interactions can lead to skin irritation or health problems.
2. Apply rose geranium essential oil to reduce swelling. Research has shown that rose geranium essential oil can significantly reduce skin inflammation. Mix 6-15 drops of rose geranium per 30 ml of "carrier oil" and apply it in a thin layer on the affected skin. Repeat this if desired.
3. Use chamomile oil to relieve inflammation. Chamomile oil is absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin, which is important for its use as an anti-inflammatory. While the scientific evidence is not yet certain, anecdotal evidence supports the use of chamomile for the treatment of mildly burned and irritated skin.
   • Add a few drops of chamomile oil to 30ml of jojoba oil and apply a small amount on the red skin.
   • Make a chamomile paste by grinding dried flowers in a clean coffee grinder or with a pestle and mortar. Add water and some whole oats until you reach a pasty consistency. Apply this to the red area and let it rest for 15 minutes. Rinse gently with cool water. Repeat this if necessary.
4. Add lavender oil to your skin cream. Lavender oil has antiseptic and anti-fungal properties and improves healing of minor burns and sunburns as it promotes wound adhesion.
   • A combination of lavender oil and chamomile is often used to treat eczema, another skin condition that causes inflammation and redness.
   • You should not use lavender oil internally as it can lead to serious health problems.
5. Apply soothing calendula oil. Calendula has antioxidant properties and is often used to soothe pain and swelling and improve the appearance of the skin. Dilute calendula oil in a "carrier oil" or mix a few drops in an odorless cream or ointment and apply to the affected area.
   • Do not confuse calendula with the ornamental marigold of the genus Tagetes, which is often grown in vegetable gardens.
6. Apply pure aloe vera. Aloe vera is juice from the leaf of the Aloe vera and has been used as a topical pain reliever and ointment for thousands of years. Studies have shown that applying pure aloe vera juice can reduce inflammation and pain from burns and minor scrapes. Apply a small amount of the juice to the red area and let it soak into your skin.
   • Many after-sun lotions contain aloe vera, but choose one with almost 100% aloe vera, without alcohol.

Method 3 of 3: Avoid irritation

1. Choose a licensed specialist to wax you. Check that the salon is clean and follows all safety precautions. Poor hygiene or low-quality skin products can increase skin irritation and cause infections.
2. Purchase wax for hair removal. You can wax yourself at home if you are confident enough in your ability to apply and remove a depilatory. There are a wide variety of hair removers available, usually available at a pharmacy or drugstore, offering a variety of methods and means of waxing yourself. Read all labels before purchasing and using one to be aware of the potential side effects or irritating ingredients.
3. Make your own wax. If you don't have the time or the budget to visit a wax salon, make your own wax with a recipe made from water, lemon juice and sugar. A sugar wax is all natural, without unnecessary chemicals that can cause irritation.
4. Open your pores with warm water. When waxing at home, open your pores to make hair removal easier. Hold a warm wet cloth to the area you want to wax or take a warm shower.
5. Clean your skin with a mild cleanser. Bacteria and dirt on your skin can cause redness if not removed before waxing, as the procedure can temporarily open pores wider and allow access to irritants.
6. After waxing, pat your skin with witch hazel. Witch hazel has antiseptic properties, so it keeps your skin clean after waxing. In addition, witch hazel is an anti-inflammatory, so it can reduce irritation and redness before it becomes a bigger problem.

Tips

• Avoid using products with alcohol, perfume, or excessive chemicals, which can cause further irritation and redness.
• Do not wash the area with warm water, as the heat can actually cause the skin to turn red again.
• Wear cool, smooth and baggy clothes after waxing to avoid further irritation. In addition, wear lightweight clothing in warmer weather to prevent sweating (which can cause redness to return).
• Do not schedule a waxing session during your period, as the skin is naturally more sensitive at that time of the month.
• Avoid warm / hot baths and showers and don't expose your skin to heat unnecessarily. This can increase the severity of inflammation.

Warnings

• Consult your doctor or pediatrician before using any medication or remedies for a child under 12 years old.
• Contact your doctor if the redness persists or spreads as you may be dealing with an infection.
• Always read the warning labels on all remedies, whether prescription, over-the-counter, or natural remedies, to learn about the potential side effects, interactions with other medications, and contraindications.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take any non-prescription or herbal remedies unless approved by your doctor.
• If you're taking hydrocortisone without a prescription and your redness doesn't improve within seven days, or gets worse - or if you develop redness, swelling, or pus - stop taking it and call your doctor.
• Never swallow lavender oil as it can lead to serious health complications such as difficulty breathing, blurred vision, burning eyes, diarrhea and vomiting.