Waxing issues - is it me or the therapist?

[FuckoffDM]

Recently had a bikini wax for the first time (except for some bad attempts with home kits many years ago). Just had a basic one, nothing extreme.

As it was being done the skin went extremely red and had some spots of bleeding. It remained very red and a bit lumpy (very unattractive) for several days. After that it calmed down and although still pinker than the other skin it looked ok for a few days. Then the hair started growing back and I now have a lot of ingrowing hairs, causing red lumps and spots. I have used a scrub once the hairs started growing to try and stop this.

So, is waxing just not a good option for me or do you think it could have been the therapist's technique/products that caused the problems?

[NeonNails]

If you've never waxed before the first go is likely to be brutal - if I leave it a few months between waxing and shave instead the first wax after can be very harsh with the tenderness and irritation you describe.

The scrub is not really suitable for freshly waxed skin and almost certainly caused the irritation. In future try something like tend skin to reduce tenderness and ingrown hairs

[FuckoffDM]

Thanks

Just to clarify - I didn't use the scrub until the hair grew back (not on freshly waxed skin). The therapist did tell me to do this to avoid ingrowing hairs.

[bojorojo]

My DD is using a Phillips pulsed light hair removal system for bikini area and is beginning to get very good results. The product is expensive but cheaper than a lifetime of waxing. Excellent results so far on arms and legs. Might be worth a try if you can afford it and keep going all winter for good results next summer.

[Indecisivejo]

I'm a therapist and what you described is normal. The first time is always the worst but the more u do it the better and longer lasting the results will be. Also the hair grows in different stages so sometimes u may notice the area doesn't feel very smooth after but once u get into a routine this will also improve and some people find with time the hair grows back less. Get a big tub of aqueous cream and keep it in the fridge when u know ur having waxing done then apply this for few days after.

[FuckoffDM]

Thanks jo - seems that I'm maybe not a lost cause then! Would you also recommend a product for the ingrown hairs such as tend skin?

[Summer23]

Your skin sounds quite sensitive like mine. I now only go for hot wax on my bikini line and avoid strip. Much much less pain and skin not as aggravated. A few pounds more but worth it!

[Chorltonswheelies422]

Did therapist use strip wax or hot wax?

A properly trained intimate waxed would only use hot wax.

[FuckoffDM]

She applied wax with a stick and then stuck a cloth over it and ripped it off - not sure if that is strip or hot wax?

[Toxicity]

That is strip wax, which I always think is much more painful. If you give waxing another go definitely try hot wax, I find it a lot less painful and I think its more gentle on the skin.

[annielostit]

Hot wax is best for bikini & the fruit sort smell lovely.☺

[RaeSkywalker]

I've been waxed for years but had my underarms done for the first time this summer and had the little red blood spots like you describe. As others have said, I think it's quite normal. I used aloe vera gel which sorted mine within 48 hours- not sure I'd use it on the bikini area though.

Hot waxing is meant to be better and less painful than strip wax. I haven't found this to be the case but I know I'm in the minority there- I hate waiting for it to cool enough to be ripped off, I just want to get it over with!

As for I growing hairs, gentle exfoliation helps me, but don't do it on freshly waxed skin.

[Rattitude]

If you are young-ish and have dark hair and fair skin, I would recommend you consider laser hair removal. I had it done a few years ago (5 or so, I think) and I am now 48. It has been great.

I hated bikini waxing because I found it painful. Having said that, I once went to a 'superior' beauty salon in London and the therapists there were great and the experience was much less painful. The price was double what I paid in my local salon though.

I found I did not go regularly to have my bikini line waxed because I was dreading it, so I was not bikini-ready whenever I wanted to. The laser hair removal has sorted this problem out. I had about 5 sessions over a period of a year, and very very few hairs have grown back. It is an investment but compared to a life-time of waxing, it is well worth it.

[AwakeCantSleep]

You need a Philips Lumea. It works. I bought one last year (reduced, end of line). I never got on with waxing or shaving (have terribly sensitive skin and various dermatological issues). The Lumea works so well. I have the correct skin/hair type for it (light skin, dark hair). It is slightly uncomfortable to use under arms and on bikini zone but I don't mind that. I only use it rarely now, as there are hardly any hairs growing back.

[Chorltonswheelies422]

Ouch! You poor thing! She used strip wax on you - don't go back to her again, find a properly trained intimate waxer that uses hot wax - whole different experience I promise you.

[Jimjamjoos]

I don't get what a hot wax is?Mine has the warm pot of wax, applies it, then rips it off.

[Ilovetorrentialrain]

Hot Wax is on with a small wooden stick then allowed to cool before the therapist pulls it off, bit like when chewing gum goes hard, fingernail underneath to lift it (gloved hand!) the rip. Only a very small area at a time
Mits used formintimate waxing e.g. Hollywood or Brazillian.

[Ilovetorrentialrain]

Hot wax is put on with a small wooden stick then allowed to cool before the therapist pulls it off, bit like when chewing gum goes hard, fingernail underneath to lift it (gloved hand!) the rip. Only a very small area at a time
It is used for intimate waxing e.g. Hollywood or Brazillian.

[Nettletheelf]

The blood spots tend to accompany hairs that have never been waxed. I had my first bikini wax aged 35 and the therapist had to call in the special waxing squad (salon manager) to deal with the blood. She said, "it's good stuff, is this [meaning the hair], well rooted in"

I agree with the Tend Skin recommendation. Skin Doctors Ingrow Go is also very good. Gets rid of the red rash. It does get easier over time!