Does your skin experience redness after the waxing process? Soak a cloth in a mixture of cold milk, water, and ice, then apply it to the problem area for 5 minutes. Or, soak a cotton ball in witch hazel and apply it to the reddened area. Alternatively, apply thin slices of cold cucumber or a mixture of 100% pure colloidal oatmeal and water to the problem area. You can also try home remedies like spraying unfiltered apple cider vinegar or applying manuka honey to a recently waxed area. Apply essential oils, such as rose geranium, chamomile, or lavender, as an alternative way to reduce redness.
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Method 1 of 3: Using Home Remedies
Step 1. Make a cold compress from milk, water, and ice
Mix equal parts cold milk, water and ice in a bowl. Soak a clean cloth in the mixture, then apply it to the problem area for 5 minutes. Repeat compression 3 times.
- The inflammation that occurs after wax removal is the same as a sunburn, and a cold compress will relieve constriction of the blood vessels and reduce swelling so that the redness of the skin slowly disappears.
- The protein content in milk will help the healing process, while protecting the skin.
Step 2. Glue a cotton ball that has been soaked in witch hazel
Pour about 3 tablespoons of witch hazel into a small bowl, then take a clean cloth or cotton ball and soak it in. Gently apply to the red area as needed. The tannins and oils in witch hazel reduce inflammation, thereby reducing redness and skin discomfort.
Step 3. Make a cold cucumber mask
Cucumbers have long been known to have analgesic, or pain-relieving properties, and contain antioxidants, which can speed healing of red and inflamed skin. Slice the chilled cucumber into thin slices and apply the cucumber slices to the reddened area of the skin. If it starts to feel warm, flip the cucumber slices over so the cold side is against the skin.
- To make the cucumber mask benefits last longer, use a food grinder or grater to make a cucumber paste and apply it to the problem areas.
- For a thicker paste, add cornstarch or aloe vera gel to the cucumber mask.
Step 4. Make a soothing colloidal oatmeal mask
Colloidal oatmeal, which is made by grinding oatmeal until smooth, can reduce inflammation and moisturize the skin. Mix a few teaspoons of pure 100% colloidal oatmeal with enough water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the reddened area and let it dry for 10 minutes before rinsing it off.
- Do this treatment a maximum of 4 times per week.
- Take a colloidal oatmeal bath if the redness is on your body, not your face. You can buy bath products that contain 100% colloidal oatmeal at your local pharmacy.
- Make your own colloidal oatmeal by grinding mashed or ground oats, not instant oats, in a food grinder or food processor.
Step 5. Apply healing apple cider vinegar
Vinegar has healing properties for minor burns, which are characterized by redness. Add one cup of pure, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a spray bottle and spritz it on the reddened area after a warm shower. Let the vinegar dry on the skin.
You can also soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and gently rub it over the problem area
Step 6. Apply a soothing mixture of mint and green tea
Min is a natural cooling agent, and green tea contains tannic acid and theobromine which help relieve pain and heal damaged skin. Pour about 950 ml of boiling water into a saucepan containing 5 green tea bags and 3 cups of fresh mint leaves. Cover the pot and allow all the ingredients to soak and cool for at least 1 hour. Dip a cotton ball in the liquid and apply it on the reddened area.
- Black tea also contains tannins which have healing properties. So, you can replace green tea with black tea if necessary.
- If you want, you can also apply the cooled liquid directly to the burned area.
Step 7. Apply anti-inflammatory manuka honey
This honey comes from New Zealand and is produced by bees that suck the flowers of the manuka tree, and has been shown to contain significant anti-inflammatory properties. Apply a little honey on the problem area, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with warm water.
- Make sure you buy manuka honey with a UMF/OMA rating of 15 or higher. Scientists in New Zealand developed this system to assess the level of antibacterial activity in honey.
- With the antibacterial content in honey, you can also use it as a daily cleanser.
Step 8. Apply a thin layer of 1% hydrocortisone to the skin
Hydrocortisone is available without a prescription and is used to temporarily relieve minor skin irritations. As an anti-inflammatory agent, hydrocortisone also constricts blood vessels, thereby reducing redness. Wash the problem area, then apply a thin layer of hydrocortisone on the reddened skin, up to 4 times a day.
- Try applying a moisturizer containing ceramides or the antioxidant feverfew flower or licorice extract before using hydrocortisone to protect and soothe the skin.
- To apply hydrocortisone in the form of a spray, shake the bottle well and position the bottle about 7.5-15 cm from the skin before spraying. Do not inhale hydrocortisone fumes, and protect your eyes if you are spraying the area near your face.
Method 2 of 3: Using Essential Oils
Step 1. Consider using essential oils to reduce redness and protect the skin
Essential oils extracted from plants through the distillation process are extremely harsh and you should heed all warnings regarding side effects and allergic reactions before using them. The essential oil you want to use must be diluted with a carrier oil, such as olive oil, by about 1-3% if you want to use it for skin care.
- Certain essential oils can interfere with medical conditions such as pregnancy, high blood pressure, or epilepsy. It is best to consult a doctor before using any herbal remedies.
- Although many essential oils can be mixed, be careful not to use too many treatments at once because the side effects and interactions that occur can cause skin irritation or health problems.
Step 2. Apply rose geranium essential oil to reduce swelling
Research has confirmed that rose geranium essential oil limits the skin's inflammatory response to a significant degree. Mix 6-15 drops of rose geranium essential oil for every 30 ml of “carrier oil” and apply it on the problem skin only lightly. Repeat as needed.
Step 3. Use chamomile oil to reduce inflammation
Chamomile oil is absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin and is very important because of its role as an anti-inflammatory agent. Although there is no definitive scientific evidence, evidence obtained from personal experience shows that chamomile oil can be used to treat minor burns and skin irritations.
- Add a few drops of chamomile essential oil to 30 ml of jojoba oil and apply a small amount on the reddened skin.
- Make a chamomile paste by grinding dried chamomile flowers using a clean coffee grinder or a mortar and pestle. Add water and a little oats until you get a paste-like consistency. Apply the paste on the reddened skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse carefully using cold water. Repeat as needed.
Step 4. Add lavender oil to the skin cream
Lavender oil is antiseptic and antifungal, and can improve the healing process of minor burns and sunburns because it promotes scar tissue formation.
- A mixture of lavender and chamomile oil is often used to treat eczema, a skin condition that causes inflammation and redness.
- Never ingest lavender oil as it can cause serious health complications.
Step 5. Apply soothing calendula oil
Calendula contains antioxidants and is often used to reduce pain and swelling, as well as improve the overall appearance of the skin. Dilute calendula oil in a “carrier oil” or add a few drops to a fragrance-free cream or ointment and apply to problem areas.
Don't confuse calendula with marigolds of the Tagetes genus commonly grown in vegetable gardens
Step 6. Apply pure aloe vera gel
Aloe vera gel made from aloe vera leaves has been used for thousands of years as a pain reliever and topical ointment. Research shows that the use of pure aloe vera gel can reduce inflammation and pain from burns and minor skin abrasions. Apply a little aloe vera gel on the reddened skin and let it soak into the skin.
Many of the lotions recommended for use after sunbathing contain aloe, but be sure to choose a product with close to 100% aloe vera and no alcohol
Method 3 of 3: Preventing Irritation
Step 1. Choose an experienced beautician for waxing
Make sure the salon is clean and follow all the safety regulations set by the government. Unhygienic salons and the use of poor quality skin products can irritate the skin and potentially lead to infection.
Step 2. Purchase a good quality hair removal wax
If you feel confident in your ability to apply and remove the wax layer, do the waxing process yourself at home. There are many wax products on the market, usually sold at local pharmacies, that offer a variety of methods and tools for doing the waxing process yourself. Make sure you read all the instructions on the packaging before using it so that you are aware of any potential side effects or ingredients that can cause irritation.
Step 3. Make your own waxing product
If you don't have the time or money to wax at the salon, look for a simple recipe using water, lemon juice, and sugar to make your own wax. Sugar candles are natural, do not contain unnecessary and irritating chemicals.
Step 4. Use warm water to open the pores
If you're waxing at home, the first thing you need to do is open the skin pores to make hair removal easier. You can apply a warm wet cloth to the area to be depilated, or take a warm bath.
Step 5. Clean the skin with a gentle cleanser
Bacteria and dirt that sticks to the skin can cause redness if not cleaned before waxing because this procedure opens the pores wider for a while and allows the irritant to enter.
Step 6. Gently wipe the skin with witch hazel after the waxing process is complete
Witch hazel is antiseptic, and will keep the skin clean after the waxing process. Plus, witch hazel is an anti-inflammatory agent so it can soothe irritation and redness before they get a chance to become a bigger problem.
Tips
- Avoid products that contain excess alcohol, fragrance, or chemicals, which can cause further irritation and redness.
- Do not use warm water to wash the problem area because the heat can cause the redness to reappear.
- Wear clothes that feel cool against the skin, are soft and loose in texture after waxing to reduce irritation further. Also, wear light clothing in hot weather to keep you from sweating. Sweat can cause redness to reappear.
- If you are menstruating, you should not do waxing because naturally the skin is usually more sensitive at these times.
- Do not take hot/warm baths or baths or expose skin to heat. Hot temperatures will increase the level of inflammation.
Warning
- Consult a pediatrician before giving medication to a child under 12 years of age.
- Call your doctor if the redness persists or spreads because there is a possibility that you have an infection.
- Don't forget to always read the label on each product, whether prescribed by a doctor, over-the-counter, or natural medicine to learn about possible side effects, and contraindications.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take over-the-counter medicines or herbal medicines, unless specifically ordered by your doctor.
- If you are taking hydrocortisone obtained without a doctor's prescription and the redness does not improve within seven days, or gets worse, or if redness, swelling, or pus discharge occurs, stop using hydrocortisone and call your doctor.
- Never ingest lavender oil as it can cause serious health complications, such as difficulty breathing, blurred vision, burning eyes, diarrhea and vomiting.
