Why waxing is bad

We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Women of all ages shave and wax to enjoy smooth, hair-free legs, armpits, faces and bikini lines. Men shave and wax to sport smooth and hairless chests and backs. Dermatologist Sarah Young, MD , gives us the pros and cons of shaving and waxing.

Take your time with shaving and use moisturizing products if your skin is sensitive. Never shave dry and choose shaving cream over soap. Wait until the end of your shower or bath to shave, when pores are open and skin has softened.

Waxing takes skill, so start at a salon or have someone more experienced teach you how to do it first. Keep an eye on temperatures when warming the wax to avoid burning your skin.

For the best results, splurge on a trip to the salon with a professional. Depending on the speed of your hair growth, waxing can last you anywhere from two to six weeks. The results last longer as compared to threading or shaving your face, where stubbles might grow back in two-four days.

If you do end up waxing more frequently than this, chances are that your skin will keep stretching and sag before you hit those dreaded 40s. Will my face have any redness after waxing?

Redness can last anywhere between two to 12 hours and will settle down soon after. You can also apply aloe vera gel to help the redness reside faster. But be cautious when you try it for the first time or at a new salon, and give yourself two days of a lead time in case you have any big event to prep for.

Also read: The not-so-good, bad, and ugly of getting a bikini wax. This happens because waxing removes hair from the follicles, and they may inflame and react from this trauma, especially when you do it the first time. Visit a dermatologist immediately and they will help you with a topical cream.

Are there any other things I should tell my aesthetician before waxing? For the rest of the day, you should steer clear of applying too much friction that means skip the sexy time! Good news: The redness should go away overnight.

According to Seventeen , you can " reduce the irritation by avoiding hot baths for 24 hours, staying out of the sun at least for the day, and using Neosporin on particularly red areas. Cosmopolitan 's advice is to resist itching freshly waxed skin altogether. It is completely normal for you to experience some redness or irritation immediately after waxing.

It should go away within a few hours, but don't irritate already irritated skin. Krant explained the risk of infection associated with bikini waxes to Huffington Post. It can cause surface infections and even deeper cellulitis in some cases. According to Huffington Post, burns can occur during a wax.

Krant discussed the possible occurrence of getting burned mid-wax with the publication. Maddie Rubin of Cosmopolitan told readers of her experience contracting molluscum contagiosum from a bikini wax.

It most commonly affects children, although it can occur at any age.