That smooth feel of our skin after a good wax is one of the best in the world, but when itchiness gets in the way of that, waxing could be a nightmare.
Thankfully, there are many dermatology-recommended ways to treat your skin after you’ve waxed or shaved. This also works for itchiness from skin conditions like hives, psoriasis, shingles, and eczema.
You can do all of these or just try them and see what works best for you. Just remember, the idea is to stop scratching your skin as this might lead to infection or, at the very least, increase irritation.
Use liquids
The first thing you can do is to take a wet cloth or use an ice pack and rest it on the itchy part of the skin. Five to ten minutes is suggested, but feel free to leave it on till the itch subsides.
Another tip that involves water is taking an oatmeal bath. This is especially useful for blisters and other skin irritations that result from poison ivy, chickenpox, sunburn, or hives.
If you waxed your face, you might want to combine the two above. Wash your face with cool water and then use an oatmeal cleanser on it. Alternatively, you can mix two tablespoons of baking soda with half that of water.
Apply the right moisturizer
After a proper wash of the affected area, moisturize your skin. Be wary of using just any moisturizer and opt for one that is unscented and additive-free. Also avoid those with parabens, oils, dyes, and any perfumes.
Here’s an additional tip: find a moisturizer with ceramide in it. If your dermatologist confirms that you have contact dermatitis, this can be especially useful.
Treat your skin
The last step is to apply an anesthetic that specifically treats your condition. The 1% hydrocortisone cream is recommended for us daily for a month.
Otherwise, look for something that contains pramoxine. Afterward, remember to apply a cooling agent with menthol or calamine. If the calamine lotion dries out your skin, feel free to moisturize again after use.
Resist scratching
The urge to itch is not an easy one to counter, but it’s important that you do not scratch the irritated skin. If you have to cut your nails or even wear gloves or socks while you sleep, go ahead.
Take measures beforehand
In order to avoid any issues in the first place, wear loose clothing before and after waxing. Things like avoiding perfumed creams are generally advised at all times to protect the skin.
Finally, remember to exfoliate your skin to get rid of debris and shedding skin that might be holding in old hair underneath your skin and increasing the chance of ingrown hairs after shaving.
Now that you’ve got all these tips under your belt, feel free to wax away and enjoy the baby-butt softness that comes with it.