Problems and complications related to facial hair removal

Skin and foreign substances.

It is worth remembering that during hair removal we work with cosmetics which, depending on their composition, may cause various unwanted allergic reactions. You should choose perfume free products, especially if their presence in the composition is not necessary. Wax is a product that does not remain on the skin, so the presence of fragrance in its composition is completely unnecessary.

 It is also worth limiting the amount of cosmetics used before and after the treatment to an absolute minimum, each product used should have its own strictly defined function, therefore, the use of lotions and creams or lotions after depilation is abandoned in favour of oils.

Tip: If the post-operative irritation persists for more than 24 hours, it is worth performing an allergic test by applying each of the products used to the client's forearm. The skin should be observed for 48 hours.

Warm, hot, steaming!

Burns are by far the biggest problem that occurs during depilation. How to avoid unpleasant situations with the customer?

Always warm up the wax, half an hour before starting the treatment. The wax you heat in a hurry at maximum temperature and then try to cool down, it still holds its temperature for a long time. The wax with the ideal temperature should be shiny with the consistency of dissolved chocolate. The wax that flows and leaks from the stick is certainly too hot. Wax of ideal temperature should spread smoothly over the skin and self-level.

Choose waxes with a low melting point and stock up on a waxer with a clearly visible thermometer that will show you the current waxer temperature. Modern wax heaters are equipped with digital displays that continuously measure the wax bucket temperature.

If you don't have a wax heater yet, remember to carry out the first few epilations on yourself to get a perfect idea of the waxing consistency.

Tip: Remember that the waxing cups indicate the temperature of the device, not the wax, so this is always slightly higher than the temperature of the product itself. The optimal heater temperature is 60/80℃ depending on the amount of wax inside and the type of wax. Remember that when working with an open heater, it's worth to set the temperature around 80℃, but when the wax is not used and the product in the bucket is not much, the optimal temperature is 60/70℃.

What should I do if I already have a burn?

If the epidermis has been burned, it is highly probable that it has also been excessively ripped off. It's worth recommending cold packs and have allantoin ointment in your drawer, as well as recommending that you use it at home 2-3 times a day until the symptoms of the burn disappear. Allantoin ointments and creams can be purchased in a pharmacy for about 5 PLN.

NOTE: A client who undergoes epilation for the first time may be surprised by the warm temperature of the wax, even if it is not hot. Always start epilation in the so-called safe place. If you epilate your eyebrows, it will be the space between them, where the skin is the least innervated and the most tense. Never start epilation from the lower part of the eyebrow arch - the slightest movement of the client can cause incorrect application of wax, and the skin there is the most delicate and temperature-sensitive.

Rupture of the epidermis.

The rupture of the epidermis occurs most often in the area of eyebrows and moustache, where the delicate skin is susceptible to mechanical damage. Epilation is also a mechanical peeling for the epidermis, but it should be controlled as much as possible by a professional.

When starting an epilation, do not forget about proper preparation of the skin, cleansing and application of a barrier product such as olive oil. The olive will form a protective layer on the skin, moisturize it and lubricate it, so that the skin will undergo the smallest possible exfoliation and the feeling of pain will be minimized. 

The ruptured epidermis shows an initial redness, small plasma droplets and even broken vessels and bruises may appear. Scabs often appear 24 hours a day after epilation, resembling those from abrasive wounds.

In order to prevent rupture of the epidermis and damage to capillaries, it is essential to observe the maximum wax temperature recommended by the manufacturer and to stretch the skin well before and during epilation. 

The susceptibility to bruises and bursting capillaries should be verified before the procedure and the client should be asked about possible predispositions to the above mentioned skin and subcutaneous reactions. In such cases, never use waxes in a roll and stripes that stick too much to the skin.

Cancer and epilation?

Epidermal rupture can also occur in people with a weakened immune system and after the chemical and radiotherapy treatments, they should be surrounded with additional care and recommended to lubricate the skin a few days before and after the treatment. All persons with damaged hydrolipidic coat should take care of the skin condition. Who is exposed to the damage of the skin barrier? Persons taking strong medications, especially acne drugs, hormonal drugs, steroid drugs and all persons with excessively dry skin including eczema and psoriasis. Every affected area of the skin requires an absolute history and often a refusal to undergo the treatment.

Cutting instead of pulling?

When removing delicate floss from the face, sometimes a hair is torn off or cut instead of being pulled out properly together with the bulb. This is mainly due to the brittleness and rigidity of the wax. If the wax is not very elastic or crumbles, the force transmission will not be smooth and the hair will be pulled out instead of pulled out correctly. When choosing wax, you should not only use its elasticity when it is still warm, but also when it cools down. Broken hair is also a problem if you don't follow the directions of the wax application and the wax is pulled. 

Tip: Look at the direction of hair growth in each area of your face and remember that not every person looks the same despite the repeated pattern. 

What did you do to make me look like this?

Flatulence inflammation is a very common condition that's as common in women as it is in men. It is manifested by redness around the hair follicles, as well as eczemas. It is a persistent problem that is difficult to get rid of. Most often clients complain about folliculitis during intimate epilation, especially when shaving.

Where does folliculitis come from?

Hair folliculitis is caused by the bacteria streptococcus purulent and Gram positive. Inflammation can also cause herpes viruses, mycoses and even parasites. After applying hair wax - whether it is striped or stripless - redness appears around the place from which the hair grew. The hair in the body is surrounded by an additional layer of cells called the hair follicle. This is where the sebaceous glands, which produce sebum, additionally escape. The very procedure of hair removal is often associated with numerous damages to the epidermis. Cuts, micro cracks or the very process of pulling out unwanted hairs makes us rub off the protective layer of the epidermis and thus lead to irritation of hair follicles. All kinds of bacteria, then have an open path to penetrate the area of hair formation and lead to the appearance of inflammation.

How to avoid unsightly pimples and redness after epilation?

1. Perfect hygiene

Unfortunately, the skin only after makeup removal is not professionally prepared for the treatment. If the client has a tendency to develop infections after epilation, it is equally important to use products with an antibacterial effect, which will immediately neutralize harmful microorganisms. Choose antiseptic products that will not only cleanse the skin but also cool it down. Gels will be much more effective than lotions and pre-depilation fluids. Preparations with additional active ingredients such as Chinese tea leaf extract, which have bactericidal, astringent, anti-inflammatory, cleansing, refreshing, cooling, soothing and protective effects, will also be valuable.  In Clean Skin from SafeWax series of hair removal products, often used by professionals, you will also find camphor oil, which penetrates through the skin, preventing the formation of ingrown hairs and pustules and inflammation of hair follicles associated with bacteria. 

Remember that germs are just waiting to get inside our skin. It is not about disinfecting the body as before the surgery - natural substances (e.g. plant extracts) with an antibacterial effect supported by an alcohol base are enough.

2. Take care of your skin.

The natural protection of the skin should be strengthened, especially if the client is after skin exfoliation treatments including acids, microdermabrasion or laser or herbal peelings. Inform the client about the necessary interval between treatments and take care of proper skin hydration during regeneration.

3. Reduce the risk of skin damage

In order to prevent inflammation of the hair follicles, make sure the skin is properly prepared for epilation using a special oil elixir before the treatment - remember that the product must be compatible with the wax you use. Well moisturized, firm and supple skin works better with wax during epilation, which in turn reduces the risk of skin damage. A well-prepared skin will better respond to the stress of pulling out large amounts of hair at the same time.

4. Finish the treatment with a moisturizing and antibacterial product that will alleviate irritation and help eliminate the risk of infection. 4in1 olive oil will work perfectly at the end of the treatment and will give a feeling of comfort both for the client and her skin.

5. Give the necessary tips after epilation. The skin should remain clean for at least a few hours after epilation, without make-up and not be set on impurities. After epilation, avoid swimming pool, sauna, solarium and gym. The client should avoid the above mentioned places for 24 hours after the treatment.

How to cure and what to use for folliculitis?

As in the case of skin burns, the most important thing is to maintain the skin in proper hygiene and possibly support it with ointments containing zinc and allanthonin. 

Prevention

Regardless of the irritation you face or are most afraid of, remember that prevention is always easier and cheaper than cure. Take care of a safe salon and always choose proven facial and body epilation products.