Waxing is the preferred method of hair removal if you want to stay hair-free longer than shaving . So you put up with the pain and have the unwanted hair ripped out from the root.
But does the pain of waxing facial hair increase immensely after application and you are not sure what is going on and how to deal with it?
Well, this is cracked skin from waxing and it can happen due to a variety of reasons. Your biggest concern is treating the cracked skin. So, let's talk about how to treat cracked skin from waxing fast .
Table of contents:- Part 1: Why is my skin cracked after waxing?
- Part 2: How to quickly treat cracked skin from waxing?
- Part 3: How long does it take for skin cracks from waxing to heal?
- Part 4: Should I expect a scar?
- Part 5: When should you seek professional help?
- Part 6: Conclusion
Why is my skin cracked after waxing?
Cracked skin from waxing can have a number of causes. The most common are the following:
- Poor technique from the waxing specialist: If your waxing specialist is not experienced enough to be gentle and careful when applying and removing the wax, or if you do the waxing yourself without any practice, you may end up tearing your skin. This is more common on the eyebrows and upper lip.
- Using wax at the wrong temperature: Hot wax tends to burn the top layer of the skin, causing the wax to stick tightly to the skin and tearing the skin when the wax strip is removed .
- Condition of your skin: Overuse of products that exfoliate the skin and increase cell turnover, such as retinol, AHA, BHA and general peels, leaves the top layer of skin thin and vulnerable to damage from waxing.
Whatever the cause, waxing cracked skin always looks the same. So if you feel extreme and unusual pain after removing the waxing strip, the treated area feels burned, looks red, and the superficial layers of skin are peeling away, you can assume that the skin is cracked by waxing.
How to quickly treat cracked skin from waxing?
Treating cracked skin through waxing essentially involves 3 steps with the goal of immediate relief, healing and preventing long-term consequences.
Immediate steps to treat cracked skin:
Below you will find the steps to quickly treat skin that has been torn by waxing.
- Clean the torn area
The first thing you should do is remove the wax residue and damaged skin cells from the torn area. So, clean the area with cold water. You can also use a mild cleanser.
- Use an antiseptic solution
Take an antiseptic solution such as alcohol or apple cider vinegar and apply it to the cracked area to kill any germs that may be penetrating the skin.
- Use a cold compress
After cleaning, you need to relieve the pain and inflammation caused by the skin damage by applying ice or cold packs wrapped in cloths to the cracked skin.
- Apply a soothing agent
Now you need to soothe the damaged skin after waxing and start the treatment. To do this, you can apply an essential oil, aloe vera gel or a moisturizer to the skin.
- Do not scratch or irritate the skin
To prevent the skin condition from getting worse and to give it time to heal, you should avoid touching it. Even if you feel irritation, you should not scratch the area with damaged skin.
Supporting healing and recovery
Below are the steps you can take to promote healing and recovery.
- Ensure hygiene and dryness
A moist wound promotes the formation of microorganisms, as does an unclean wound. So make sure you clean the wound regularly and keep it dry.
- Apply a healing ointment
The key to stimulating the healing of cracked skin is to keep the skin well hydrated and nourished. Also, remember that it needs to be hydrated, not wet, so apply a rich body lotion.
- Wear loose, breathable and soft clothing
The friction from clothing can cause additional damage to the skin. In addition, tight clothing encourages moisture, which increases the risk of infection. Wearing loose and soft clothing can keep the skin dry and heal.
- Avoid sun and heat
Sun exposure makes the skin sensitive, causes hyperpigmentation and delays healing, so always cover the treated area with UV-protective clothing and sunscreen. It is also best to avoid sun exposure as much as possible.
- Focus on your diet
Skin heals slowly when your diet is deficient in vitamins, minerals and proteins. This is because the skin does not receive nutrients to form new cells. Smoking and alcohol also have a negative effect on the skin.
Therefore, you should eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and stay away from alcohol, smoking, and excessive caffeine to help heal your waxed skin.
Over-the-counter products for treatment
The third step in treating cracked skin caused by waxing is over-the-counter medical treatment as described below.
- Hydrocortisone cream
Hydrocortisone is also useful if the torn skin area is inflamed. It fights the inflammation, calms the redness and also relieves the pain.
- Antibiotic ointment
Cracked skin with compromised protective function is vulnerable to infection. That's why it's important to apply an antibiotic ointment so that a small slip-up during waxing doesn't damage your skin for a long time.
Topical antibiotics such as Neosporin are good for promoting skin healing, preventing infection, and reducing inflammation.
- Pain relievers
Whether the skin was torn during waxing of the upper lip or the skin was torn during waxing of the eyebrows, it is a painful condition because the skin in these areas is particularly sensitive. Therefore, you can apply a topical anesthetic or take a painkiller such as ibuprofen or paracetamol to help you cope with the pain.
How long does it take for skin cracks from waxing to heal?
The effects of immediate treatment of torn skin from waxing may take a few hours to relieve the severe effects of skin damage such as pain, redness and irritation. However, the complete healing of the body or torn eyebrow waxing may take 1 to 2 weeks.
It is also important to know that skin healing is not the same for everyone. It depends on your general health, the sensitivity of your skin, the severity of skin damage and your diet.
Should I expect a scar?
Yes and no. If you take proper care of your burns or skin tears after waxing and take immediate treatments and measures to heal the skin damage, you will not get scars. And even if a scar does form, it will fade quickly.
However, if you do not take care of your skin, do not pay attention to hygiene, scratch it, allow it to become inflamed and eat poorly, you can end up with a stubborn scar.
When should you seek professional help?
If you're concerned about treating skin cracks caused by waxing and aren't sure when to seek professional help, here are some factors to consider when visiting a doctor.
- Pain or prolonged healing time
If oral and topical pain medications do not relieve your pain and instead make it worse, you should see a doctor, as skin damage can affect deep layers of the skin and irritate nerves, causing unbearable pain.
If the skin barrier is not restored even after following the tips above and it has been more than a month since you had a wax, it is time to talk to your doctor.
- Allergic reaction
If you see bumps, redness, irritation and swelling that do not respond to home remedies, it could be an allergic reaction that requires medical attention.
- Severe skin damage
Waxing can tear the top layer of skin and cause severe damage, which can lead to small tears in the skin, damage to the microvessels and infections. In such circumstances, you need professional help.
- Signs of infection
If you see that the area around the injured skin becomes red, warm, and has discharge, you probably have an infection that requires serious medical treatment.
Conclusion
Improper technique, poor quality wax and thin skin can cause skin tearing after waxing, especially on the face. In such cases, it is important to keep the injured area clean, moisturized, dry and free from infection.
In addition, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, nourishing and antibiotic ointments can help the skin heal faster without leaving a scar.
If you want to avoid this problem, try IPL hair removal , which is gentler and more effective.
