Damage from underarm wax

[moanaschicken]

Looking for advice following having my underarms being waxed. 3 days later and they look like this. Salon currently not even saying sorry. I am in utter agony and working out how to proceed with them. Thoughts please.

Nb. No patch test done, only happened on one side, if it is important this is the side that was done first.

Out some Savlon Healing Gel on them. My daughter waxed her own arms recently (😵) & they ended up looking like yours. The healing gel soothed them and they healed nicely. She now shaves them!

I have never had a patch test at any salon before any wax on any part of my body.

However, I only had my underarms done once, they are the most painful area to do imo, bikini line is positively a walk in the park compared to underarms and whilst your bruising is extensive, from my understanding bruising in the area is not uncommon - friends of mine have had bruising in that area and none on legs or bikini or lip or chin or brows.

Have salon say anything at all?

It’s a common occurrence with underarm waxing as it is such a sensitive area. It’s sometimes unavoidable, but an experienced professional will be able to reduce this from occurring with their technique and products

If it’s any consolation, it has happened to me but clears up fairly quickly. I didn’t put anything on the skin, but you could try savlon or aquaphor. I just took pain killers and avoided deodorant until the skin stopped feeling raw (about a week or 10 days). You shouldn’t get another wax when your hair grows in as your skin will still be raw and delicate and you’ll be back to square one, I probably waited about a month.

How unprofessional of the salon though - they should at least give you some care instructions!

Initially spoke over the phone, they suggested wax could have been too hot or I needed to have had a patch test before. So both issues where they are at fault in my book.
Went in today but manager not in. No apology, next senior person there just said she hadn't ever seen such a thing happen and said it looked like the skin has been removed.
I want an apology and compensation for three ruined days, including a wedding.

I'm not sure they can be held responsible for your sensitive skin. I can't have my eyebrows waxed anymore because the skin is too thin. I'd never dream of blaming the salon.

What sort of wax did they use? Wax with strips, or hot wax that is just peeled off?

I’m not in the waxing business at all, but I believe that one should use hot wax when waxing underarms and in very small sections (like a bikini wax) to help prevent this from happening. I could be wrong though. It’s probably not an allergic reaction if that’s what they’re suggesting, but a result of a bad technique/rushed appointment.

You could probably get a refund but I doubt they’d give you compensation unless you can prove a monetary loss - eg loss of wages.

*sorry, I don’t think it’s a result of an allergic reaction as the underarm is very sensitive, so this is quite common as a result of waxing in general

I had this before my wedding. My wedding dress was agony. Didn't occur to me to get outraged or litigious.

Obviously it's a sensitive area, and these things happen. I would've appreciated an apology if I'd bothered to go back in to the salon, I suppose.

The person on the phone sounded honest, maybe wait to talk to them.

Underarm waxes are extremely painful. I've only had it done once and it made me bleed...never again!

I doubt you'll get compensation though, your skin's reaction is just one of those unfortunate things and it will heal

Yes it will heal and shouldn’t scar.

But to be fair, underarm waxes get easier the more you have them done. It’s not painful/bleeds/bruises for me anymore.

Get a grip.

If you pay someone to put wax on a super sensitive part of your body then rip the hair out you must expect a bit of irritation.

I've had my armpits done many times and had a few instances of this in early days.
It happens.

Appreciate your thoughts Doggo, it's not bruised so fully holding all my grips. The skin has been removed. Pretty sure even the most desensitised skin wouldn't cope with that!

Iboria that is awful for your wedding. This was my sister's wedding so close but not mine thankfully.

I’m a beauty therapist & this can happen with waxing in sensitive areas particularly where there is looser, older skin. It may be that waxing is just not suitable for your skin.
Pop some savlon on & it it’ll soon heal. I know it’s a pain (happened in my bikini line area!) but I can’t actually believe you let it ruin 3 days of your life & a wedding & are now looking for compensation

I wax my own (ancient) armpits, I've only ever once had a sore sensitivity when I didn't hold the skin taut enough.

I use one strip upwards and one downwards if they've been neglected , usually I can get it all in one .
Thoroughly dry the armpits , dusting of talc and rub the strip to make it grip the hairs.
I need to put my arm behind my head to get the skin tight enough .

Shera. Not exactly 'let' it. The pain was horrendous. Still sore now but lessened. I've had several surgery's including two c-sections. I have a high pain threshold.

Could you check to see what qualifications the wax technician or whatever they call it these days has? That might influence your decision as to how to proceed?

I have only once had my underarms done and it was bloody painful, it was sore for days and quite red. Never again. As someone else said, a bikini wax is a dream in comparison.

I’m a beauty therapist too & would say it’s skin trauma from either strip wax or going over the area too many times. Did she test the temperature of the wax on her inside wrist?
I would definitely try to talk to the manager if you can.

Saw the manager today. Finally got a sorry. That was the main thing I wanted. She looked at my arm and agrees it is skin trauma. It's not a burn or bruise or allergic reaction. So all those telling me to get a grip - glad I ignored you.
She is going to discuss with staff to ensure follow up is better - eg bloody say sorry if a customer isn't happy.
Feeling far happier now although the marks are still vivid.