Do you often get itchy rashes and bumps on your skin after you finish waxing unwanted hair? And have you also noticed that these rashes are different from the allergies you usually have?
If so, you may be suffering from a waxing-induced histamine reaction, which is caused by an increased release of histamine in the body triggered by wax.
In this article, you will learn more about this histamine reaction after waxing to find out how you can avoid and get rid of it.
Without further ado, let’s dive in.
- Part 1: What is a histamine reaction after waxing?
- Part 2: Why do I get histamine reactions after waxing?
- Part 3: How long does the histamine reaction last after waxing?
- Part 4: How to treat a histamine reaction after waxing?
- Part 5: How to get rid of the histamine reaction after waxing?
- Part 6: Try IPL hair removal instead of waxing
- Part 7: Conclusion
What is a histamine reaction after waxing?
The histamine reaction is caused by the increased release of histamine on the waxed skin, a chemical common in our bodies that is released specifically in response to a trigger and causes inflammation.
The Role of Histamine in the Body
Histamine plays an important role in our body by signaling and reducing potential damage in the body. This damage can come in the form of trauma, allergy, infection or disease.
Histamine works by dilating blood vessels, increasing blood flow and thus promoting the supply of immune mediators to the damaged area of the body. In short, it plays a role in inflammation.
Signs and symptoms of a histamine reaction
Applying and removing wax can stimulate hair follicles and cause a histamine reaction. Here are some signs and symptoms of histamine reaction to help you diagnose and treat it at home.
- Occurrence of skin sensitivity immediately after waxing
- Erythema in the form of skin redness, swelling and tenderness
- Hives, which are actually irritating red bumps on the skin
- The presence of rashes on the treated area
- Persistence of these symptoms longer than expected
If you have all of these symptoms, it is certain that you are suffering from a post-waxing histamine reaction and need to treat it as soon as possible.
Why do I get histamine reactions after waxing?
While many women experience allergies after waxing, as mentioned in “ Side Effects of Waxing ,” only a few experience a histamine reaction. If you are one of these women, you may be wondering, why me?
Histamine is a normal chemical in the body, as we have already discussed. Some people just have a particularly active immune system as opposed to other people. This active immune system reacts to the removal of unwanted hair from the body with a histamine reaction.
So it is nothing more than your body's normal reaction to an abnormality (in this case, hair removal with waxing).
How long does the histamine reaction last after waxing?
The histamine reaction occurs within a few minutes after waxing. Sometimes only general redness, itching and allergies occur after waxing, but not the histamine reaction.
So only consider it if your symptoms do not subside after waxing.
Additionally, histamine reactions last much longer than allergies. You can expect them to subside within a day or two. For some people, histamine reactions may take longer to subside.
How to treat a histamine reaction after waxing?
If you are sure that you have a histamine reaction, it is time to treat it. The best way to treat a disease is to reverse its pathology.
We've already talked about how histamine causes vasodilation, so you need to reverse the effect by causing vasoconstriction. You also need to treat the itching and redness symptomatically.
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Cucumber
Cucumber has the ability to soothe and moisturize the skin, so you can slice a cucumber, let it cool in the fridge and then apply it to your skin.
Applying cold cucumber slices causes the blood vessels to constrict and also relieves itching.
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Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory, pore-tightening, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties. It is the best choice to get rid of allergies and histamine reactions.
Simply take aloe vera gel, apply it to the area to be treated, massage it in a little and let it absorb. After a short time you will notice a reduction in skin redness, inflammation and bumps.
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cold compresses
The first and most basic step in treating the histamine reaction is cold compresses. You can get an ice pack or wrap an ice cube in a washcloth.
Then rub the cold compress on the treated area and wait until it soothes your skin. Also, you should never put the ice directly on your skin.
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Anti-inflammatory products
If simple home remedies do not help to reduce and completely treat the histamine reaction, it is your sign to purchase an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory product.
While you can take oral antihistamines, topical products are more effective, so you can buy a hydrocortisone cream or Benadryl ointment.
In addition, some natural oils such as lavender and calendula also have anti-inflammatory properties.
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hydration
In addition to the options for treating skin inflammation, redness and itching, you need to nourish and moisturize your skin as this aids in the healing process. That is why you should always moisturize your skin after waxing hair removal.
Also pay attention to the consistency, scent and composition of the moisturizer you use after waxing. It is recommended to use a mild, unscented body and face lotion suitable for sensitive skin.
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Thorough cleansing and gentle peeling
Finally, you should clean your skin thoroughly to remove any wax residue. Also, exfoliate your skin to remove any broken strands of hair.
However, do not use harsh products on your skin. Take the gentlest cleanser and exfoliator from your drawer and use it gently on your skin.
How do you get rid of the histamine reaction after waxing?
No matter how many times you treat the histamine reaction after waxing, it can always come back until you take steps to put a stop to it. So let's talk about some tips to prevent histamine reactions in the long run.
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patch test
When doing your own waxing at home, you should not wax a large area without a patch test. Always do a patch test on a small and hidden area of your body to see how your body reacts to the products used and your waxing technique.
If your body does not show a histamine reaction, everything is fine. If it does, you need to consult a specialist or try gentler methods.
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Avoiding irritants
Synthetic waxes, waxing strips, and pre- and post-treatment products can sensitize the skin and cause histamine reactions. Products that contain harsh chemicals, fragrances, or other ingredients you are allergic to should be avoided.
Also, it is better to use perfume-free, natural and mild waxing kits for hair removal.
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care after waxing
Whether it's a histamine reaction or an allergy, you need proper post-waxing care. Cleanse your skin after waxing with a gentle cleanser. Then apply a mild but moisturizing and nourishing body lotion to the treated area.
Additionally, you can improve your waxing aftercare by applying a cold compress and exfoliating 24 hours after waxing.
Try IPL hair removal instead of waxing
For people with extremely overactive immune systems, prevention may be the best way to prevent histamine reactions after waxing. However, they must avoid waxing in the first place to prevent a histamine reaction.
The best way to stop waxing is to replace it with a better alternative. So how about you Try Ulike Air 3 IPL Hair Removal for Face, Intimate Area and Body Hair to remove unwanted hair from your body?
It's gentle, fast and super effective at putting your hair follicles into a resting state and preventing hair regrowth. When hair stops growing, you don't need to wax anymore.
Conclusion
The histamine reaction after waxing is caused by the excessive release of histamine in the bloodstream. It irritates the skin and makes it look bumpy. You can treat the histamine reaction by applying cucumber, aloe vera and cold compresses.
You can also prevent it by doing a patch test, paying attention to the ingredients list of your waxing kit and following post-waxing care.
