Irritation after epilation in the bikini area (English)

Irritation after depilation in the bikini area is quite common. Many girls who are faced with this problem still do not know how to overcome it. But you really want to look perfect on the beach, and not hide from view all the time.

Typically, irritation along the bikini line most often occurs as a result of using a razor. And even if it has the highest quality blades, this does not mean that irritation can be avoided. After all, other methods of dealing with hair can also lead to such unpleasant consequences. What to do then?

How to prevent irritation?

First, let's look at how to prevent irritation after hair removal in the bikini area and legs. There are several methods of prevention. These are some rules that must be followed:

If you use a razor to remove unwanted hair in the bikini area, you must ensure that the blade always remains sharp. You should change it as often as possible, since a dull blade causes severe skin irritation. And it is best to give preference to attachments that are already equipped with a special moisturizing strip, which both moisturizes the skin and helps the blades glide over it better.
When using the machine, you must shave the hair carefully and exclusively along the hairline. In no case should this be done against their growth, since it will not be possible to avoid irritation and ingrown hairs in the future.
After removing hair with a razor, be sure to treat the skin with a soothing aftershave cream. And the shaving process itself should be accompanied by the use of a special gel or foam, but in no case with soap or ordinary shower gel.
Both after waxing and after shaving, you should constantly use body scrubs. Thanks to them, hairs will not grow in, which will make it possible to enjoy smooth skin without pimples. You can use scrubs for both the face and body. It all depends on the degree of skin sensitivity.
If your skin is very sensitive, then it is absolutely not necessary to treat it with a scrub immediately after depilation. It is best to do this in a day or two, when it has partially recovered.

What to do if there is already irritation?

To eliminate irritation after waxing, you can try different methods.

But you will need to choose the most effective option for yourself. After all, it all depends on the individual characteristics of the skin and hair on the body. So, if your skin becomes inflamed, your legs itch and small pimples in the bikini area, you can try to prevent this with the help of effective pharmaceutical products.

An excellent solution to this problem is chlorhexidine solution. This drug can be purchased at any pharmacy without a prescription. It is very cheap, but it perfectly helps eliminate inflammation on the skin. It is enough to just apply a small amount of the solution on a cotton pad and wipe the area of the skin where the hair was removed. You can do this periodically to prevent small, itchy bumps from appearing in the future.

The well-known Panthenol is famous for its remarkable calming effect. This remedy is most often used against sun and thermal burns. But it can also be successfully used as a soothing option after depilation.

Panthenol is sold in pharmacies in the form of foam or cream. It doesn't matter what will be used. Here every woman can choose the most suitable and convenient option for herself. Panthenol should be applied to the skin immediately after removing unwanted vegetation, and if necessary, repeat the procedure daily.

Recently, Boroplus cream has gained great popularity. This is a completely cheap, but quite effective analogue of expensive anti-inflammatory drugs and aftershave lotions. The cream does not contain alcohol, so it will not dry out the skin.

Boroplus can be safely used on the face, bikini area and even on the legs. But if there is a need to treat large areas of the skin with it, it makes sense to immediately purchase a large tube of this product at the pharmacy. Boroplus cream has a pleasant, persistent scent and does not contain harmful chemicals.

You can also treat the skin with hydrogen peroxide immediately after epilation. Do not be afraid of slight itching and redness that may occur at first. In just half an hour, all this will pass, and the skin will remain smooth and beautiful. Hydrogen peroxide kills all pathogenic bacteria on its surface, which prevents the pores from becoming clogged. Due to this, inflammation has no chance.

Practice shows that aspirin can be used instead of peroxide. To do this, you need to dissolve a couple of tablets in water (1 tbsp), and then treat the skin in the bikini area with the resulting composition. As with peroxide, there may be a slight itching and burning sensation at first.

Fresh juice from aloe leaves is another wonderful remedy that helps to cope with inflamed small pimples on the legs and bikini line. Aloe perfectly moisturizes the skin and at the same time kills bacteria in the pores. For maximum effectiveness, it is recommended to cut off the old leaf and peel it. Apply the juicy side to the damaged area of skin for a few seconds, then gently rub in the juice. It is recommended to repeat this periodically if the skin is quite sensitive.

Conclusion on the topic

So, from all of the above, it is not at all difficult to understand that preventing irritation in the bikini area, on the legs, or even after depilation on the face is much easier than dealing with it later. Therefore, it is best to foresee all possible consequences in advance. Practice shows that it is almost impossible to remove irritation in one day. Therefore, if you still have to face such a problem, you need to be patient and do everything necessary until the small red pimples completely disappear and the skin takes on a healthy appearance.

Irritation after epilation in the bikini area occurs frequently. Any method of removing unwanted hair involves an aggressive effect on the skin. As a result, microtraumas form in the upper layers of the skin. If they are not exposed to negative factors, they heal quickly and do not cause discomfort. However, if the rules for preparing for hair removal and caring for the epidermis after depilation are not followed, irritation develops. The skin turns red, begins to itch, and pustules and lumps may appear.

Causes

Irritation can occur after hair removal both at home and in the salon. Negative reactions after hair removal can occur in any area, but most often occur in the intimate area. This is explained by the fact that the skin there is more delicate, thin and sensitive than on other parts of the body.

Irritation after salon hair removal occurs less frequently than after home hair removal, subject to the following conditions:

The procedure is carried out in a salon whose employees are conscientious about hygiene rules.
A high-quality product is used (wax, sugaring mixture) that does not contain harmful and aggressive ingredients and has an unexpired shelf life.
Epilation is carried out by an experienced specialist who adheres to all the rules of preparation for hair removal, skin care and the procedure itself.

Irritation after salon hair removal may occur due to:

Carrying out the procedure for the first time - the skin is not yet accustomed to such an effect, and irritation is its protective reaction; after 1-2 hair removal sessions, redness no longer occurs.
Individual intolerance to the components of the product used.
Wearing tight clothing after the procedure: it will rub the injured area.
Exposing the skin to aggressive factors (visiting a bathhouse, swimming pool, solarium) in the next 2-3 days after depilation.

When depilating at home, irritation in the bikini area may occur due to:

Lack of disinfection before and after the procedure.
Failure to comply with the hair removal technique using the chosen method.
Wearing synthetic underwear, which can increase sweating and create a “greenhouse effect”, irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions.
Using a dull razor increases the risk of injury.
Chemical burn (when using depilatory cream).
Neglecting to clean and moisturize the bikini area between hair removal procedures.
Refusal to use special foams and creams when shaving or replacing them with soap or shower gel: the razor glides worse and, along with the hair, can cut off the top layer of skin.

Types of unwanted skin reactions and ways to eliminate them

Most reactions caused by depilation can be eliminated at home. If the measures taken do not produce results, you should urgently consult a dermatologist.

Irritation

Most often, irritation is expressed by the following reactions:

dryness;
peeling;
redness;
tightness;
red spots.

Mild redness after hair removal, which disappears within 2-6 hours, is considered normal. If the skin is hypersensitive, redness may not go away within 1-2 days, since any mechanical impact in this case causes irritation.

During this period, no special measures need to be taken. If the irritation does not go away within 6 hours (with sensitive skin - within 24 hours) or intensifies, it is necessary to begin treatment.

Severe irritation can occur due to excessive trauma when:

Removal of the top layer of skin due to shaving or improper waxing technique, when the wax is pulled away from the body too abruptly and upward.
Thermal or chemical burn (due to hair removal with hot wax or depilatory cream).
Lack of disinfection after hair removal - as a result of the activity of harmful bacteria.
Excessive friction on clothes and underwear.

The irritated area must be treated with an antibacterial agent to avoid infection and the development of inflammation in the wounds.

For disinfection, disinfecting solutions are used: Miramistin, Levomycytin or Chlorhexidine. The product is applied to a cotton pad and briefly applied to the irritated skin. The procedure must be carried out at least 2 times a day until the irritation completely disappears. The first results will be visible the very next day.

Panthenol ointment or cream helps soothe the skin. Owners of light, sensitive skin, where irritation appears even if all the rules for the procedure for removing unwanted hair are followed, can apply this product immediately after depilation. Panthenol fights dryness and tightness, stimulates tissue regeneration, heals small wounds, and eliminates inflammation if it has developed. Apply the product in a thick layer to the bikini area and leave for 20 minutes. Residues are carefully removed with a napkin.

Instead of Panthenol, you can use Rescue Balm. It has a similar effect. Since this remedy is also used to treat burns, it helps well with irritation caused by too hot wax or the aggressive effects of depilatory cream.

Ointments Bepanten, Pantoderm, Dexpanthenol, Actovegin, Boro Plus relieve irritation and soothe the skin.

They are applied to the affected areas 3-4 times a day. If none of these products are on hand, baby cream can replace them. It is applied several times a day to the affected area in a thick layer.

Pimples

If the infection still manages to penetrate the wounds, pimples and pustules form on the skin. In this case, the bikini area, as with simple irritation, should be treated with Miramistin or Chlorhexidine. It is necessary to use anti-inflammatory drugs - Levomekol, ichthyol or salicylic ointment. You can lubricate each abscess with iodine.

Painful bumps

Bumps form at the site of ingrown hairs. A hair can grow in if it breaks off during epilation and partially remains under the skin. Then it begins to grow in the wrong direction: not vertically, but horizontally. Ingrowth also occurs if the surface of the skin is not cleaned of dead cells in a timely manner. Then it is difficult for the hairs to break through, and they also grow horizontally.

If an ingrown hair appears through thin layers of skin, you can get rid of it at home. To do this, you need to take a thin needle and disinfect it with alcohol. Wipe the tubercle with hydrogen peroxide. Then pick up the hair with a needle and pull it out. Treat the area again with a disinfectant solution. Apply iodine or regenerating ointment (Panthenol, Rescuer) to the wound.

It is not recommended to remove deeply ingrown hair yourself: it can cause infection. To get rid of them, you need to consult a dermatologist.

When the tissue around the ingrown hair becomes inflamed, subcutaneous lumps form. If the lump does not hurt or grow, you can try home remedies:

For 2 days, lubricate the bump with Baziron, Proderm, Dalatsin ointment to reduce inflammation.
After this, treat the affected area with a gentle scrub.
Leave the lump alone for a few days.
Then apply salicylic ointment to it 2-3 times a day.
After a few days, start making warm compresses by placing a towel soaked in hot water on the bikini area. When the towel has cooled, it must be moistened again with hot water and applied to the bump. Repeat several times. This procedure helps the ingrown hair come out.

If the lump hurts and is constantly growing, you cannot remove it yourself. You need to contact a dermatologist: he will open the formation and remove the ingrown hair.

Itching is a frequent companion to skin irritation and inflammation resulting from hair removal. Panthenol and Rescuer ointments help to remove it. The bikini area can be lubricated with coconut oil. It quickly relieves discomfort. After the first application, you will notice that the skin itches less.

Discharge

If the skin was severely damaged during hair removal, after the procedure liquid may be released from the wounds: blood, lymph. This often happens when epilating “deep bikini” using wax. If the wax is torn off abruptly or removed in the wrong direction, quite large wounds can form. They need to be treated with hydrogen peroxide or Miramistin several times a day, and then lubricated with wound-healing ointment (Boro Plus, Bepanten, Panthenol).

How to relieve irritation using folk methods?

If you don’t have medications at home and you can’t immediately go to the pharmacy, folk remedies will help you out. If you have aloe vera growing at home, you can use it to quickly relieve inflammation and reduce irritation. Cut a plant leaf in half and apply the pulp to the affected areas. Keep it for 10-15 minutes. Repeat the procedure several times a day.

Chamomile infusion will also help relieve irritation. Brew 1 tsp. flowers with a glass of boiling water. Cool. Soak a napkin or cotton pad in the broth. Apply to the bikini area for 15 minutes. The procedure must be repeated 2 times a day, morning and evening.

You can grate a raw potato and apply the resulting mixture to the bikini area. After 15 minutes, rinse the compress with warm water. Lubricate the bikini area with baby cream.

Preventive actions

The following rules that apply to all types of hair removal will help you avoid irritation in the bikini area after removing unwanted hair:

After the procedure, you should wear underwear made from natural materials, not overloaded with decor (lace, rhinestones): synthetic sets are recommended to be left for special rare cases.
After hygiene procedures, do not rub the bikini area with a towel, but gently blot it.
To help the skin renew itself (this will help avoid ingrown hairs) - use a scrub between waxing sessions.
Treat the intimate area with antiseptic agents before and after the procedure.

It is best to use special lotions designed to prepare the skin for hair removal and care for it after the procedure. If they are not available, the bikini area can be treated with hydrogen peroxide before hair removal, and then with ammonia or thermal water. Then apply moisturizer.

After sugaring and waxing, you should not:

Visit the bathhouse and sunbathe for 2 days after the procedure.
Take a bath earlier than 5-6 hours after hair removal to avoid infection in microtraumas.

If you prefer shaving, then to avoid the development of irritation you should:

Before the procedure, steam the skin in the bath or shower and treat with a scrub.
Shaving is not against, but according to hair growth.
Do not apply over the same area of skin several times.
Use a separate razor for the bikini area, which will not be used on other parts of the body.
Change the razor in a timely manner, do not use a blunt instrument.

If you have very sensitive skin, it is better to prefer sugaring to waxing. It does not involve thermal effects. And also, tenaciously grasping the hairs, it does not stick to the skin and does not damage the layers of the epithelium.

There are many different hair removal techniques in cosmetology, but they are united by one factor - possible skin irritation. You can independently remove irritation after hair removal using traditional methods, natural products and medications.

Why does irritation occur and how does it manifest itself?

Skin irritation after depilation largely depends on the degree of sensitivity of the human epidermis. After aggressive techniques (waxing, sugaring), redness, peeling, itching, red dots, spots and other troubles can appear even in those with skin resistant to external influences.

Any technique, especially with root hair removal, causes microtrauma to the epidermis layer. Even a regular razor scratches the skin.

The appearance of microdamages may at first be invisible to the eye and not perceptible. Symptoms often appear only a few hours after the waxing session.

Less commonly, irritation after sugaring, waxing, laser or photoepilation occurs due to an allergic reaction of the body to a particular substance or radiation.

Very often, skin inflammation occurs in women who try the procedure for the first time. Gradually, the epidermis gets used to depilation, and each time the unpleasant consequences are reduced to a minimum.

How to quickly relieve irritation after hair removal

There are many ways to remove irritation after depilation; let’s look at the most effective of them.

Medicines and cosmetics

Creams and ointments

Pharmacies have drugs aimed at tissue regeneration and rapid elimination of negative dermatological symptoms. Creams/ointments Bepanten, D-panthenol, Dexpanthenol, Pantoderm have a similar composition and spectrum of action. The drugs help to quickly relieve irritation of any nature, on any part of the body, and soothe the skin after hair removal. The products are applied in a thin layer to the damaged area 3-4 times a day.

Lotions, balms

Cosmetic stores sell special lotions and balms to soothe the skin after depilation. To quickly eliminate irritation on your face after waxing, you can use men's aftershave lotion. It contains components that heal microtraumas of the epidermis. This remedy can be used in any area of the body. A soothing post-depilation cream, which can be found in a cosmetics store or pharmacy, has the same properties. Usually the product is applied to the skin several times a day, or according to the instructions.

Cosmetic oils

Essential or regular oils are a great way to tidy up your skin at home. Essential oils have antiseptic, regenerating, anti-inflammatory properties:

mint;
rosemary;
lemon;
fir;
eucalyptus;
chamomile;
tea tree;
carnations;
juniper;
sage.

Basic cosmetic oils of olive, peach, almond, rose, and sea buckthorn also perfectly relieve redness, itching, pinching, and peeling.

Essential oils should not be used in their pure form; it is recommended to dilute them with regular (sunflower oil is acceptable) oil 1:10. The mixture can be used in the bikini area, armpits, legs, face, arms.

The skin is lubricated 3-5 times a day until the symptoms disappear completely.

Hydrogen peroxide

A simple, affordable product that will help relieve irritation after hair removal and disinfect the skin. A cotton swab is moistened in a peroxide solution (3%) and wiped over the inflamed skin. Peroxide effectively relieves even severe irritation, eliminates red spots and spots after depilation, soothes and heals microtraumas of the epidermis. Rubbing is done 2–4 times a day.

Children's talc

Almost every pharmacy and children's stores sell talc. It contains substances that eliminate many unpleasant skin manifestations. The powder is applied immediately after hair removal and the procedure is repeated 2-3 times a day. Talc effectively relieves irritation from mechanical epilators, waxing, sugaring, and laser.

Traditional methods

Herbal infusions

Herbal infusions will help relieve irritation after depilation. Chamomile, calendula, mint, oak bark, sage, rosemary, oregano - these plants effectively combat dermatological problems. The infusion is prepared as follows: 1 tbsp. l. herbs (you can use a mixture of the listed herbs) are steamed with a glass of boiling water and left for 3 hours. Then the liquid is filtered, a tampon is moistened in the solution and the affected area of skin is wiped up to 10 times a day.

In this way, irritation after sugaring, waxing, machine, and any other techniques that injure the skin is very quickly relieved. Our grandmothers used herbs to get rid of many skin diseases.

Juice of medicinal plants

Aloe, Kalanchoe or golden mustache - the juices of these plants have healing properties and treat many skin diseases.

You need to take 1-2 leaves of the plant, wash, dry and squeeze the juice out of them. Apply the resulting juice to damaged skin.

Red dots after hair removal, burning, spots and other unpleasant symptoms will go away very quickly. It is recommended to use the juices of these plants even in cases of severe inflammatory processes.

Relieve facial irritation with natural remedies

Many girls remove hairs above the lip, on the chin, and at the temples. After hair removal, redness often appears on the face, since the skin in this area is very delicate.

Masks made from natural ingredients will help relieve side effects.

Oatmeal. The flakes perfectly soothe the skin. A handful of oatmeal is steamed with boiling water and applied to the face for 15 minutes, then washed off with warm water.
Cucumber. A piece of vegetable is grated on a fine grater and the paste is applied to the face for 15–20 minutes, then washed off with water. Cucumber juice will effectively relieve irritation on the upper lip after hair removal and quickly remove redness.
Carrot. This root vegetable contains substances that accelerate the regeneration of skin cells. Grate the carrots and apply the paste on your face for 20 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

What to do if severe inflammation occurs?

It happens that skin irritation after hair removal turns into serious inflammation: pustules, cracks and even wounds form, and severe pain is felt when touched. Such symptoms may appear due to infection in the damaged layer of the dermis. The problem requires urgent use of medications.

Antiseptic solutions. Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, Hexicon, Chlorophyllipt, Furacilin - these drugs are produced in the form of liquids and are used to disinfect the skin. To disinfect the skin, dilute the product according to the instructions and rub it on painful areas. Medicines kill harmful microorganisms trapped in wounds and help quickly relieve inflammation.
Anti-inflammatory ointments. Severe inflamed irritation after hair removal with wax or any other method will help relieve ointments with antibiotics: Miramistin, Levomekol, Syntomycin, Erythromycin, Gentaxan, Baneocin.

To properly treat the skin, you should study the instructions.

Allergic irritation

The skin itches, the redness does not go away for a long time, spots or blisters appear, swelling, swelling - all this can be an allergic reaction to hair removal. In this case, it is recommended to treat the skin with steroid drugs.

Medicines in the form of ointments that relieve allergic and inflammatory symptoms from the skin: Sinaflan, Betamethasone, Momat, Hyoxysone, Triderm, Diprolene. They will almost instantly remove any skin irritation after hair removal, but they cannot be used for more than 5-6 days.

Steroid (hormonal) ointments have many contraindications and should be prescribed by a doctor. Independent use of such means is highly undesirable.

How to avoid irritation?

Irritation after depilation with wax, laser, machine, sugaring can be avoided or significantly reduced if you adhere to the following recommendations:

Properly prepare the skin in accordance with the method (it is advisable to steam it before waxing or sugaring, but on the contrary, you should not steam it before a laser procedure or chemical depilation).
Hair should be removed on clean, disinfected skin.
During the procedure, all hygiene rules must be observed (disposable or personal instruments, clean hands, napkins, etc.).
Regardless of the method, the first day after the session the skin should not be exposed to steam or sunlight. You cannot use cosmetics containing alcohol, or visit saunas, solariums, or chlorinated swimming pools.
It is not recommended to rub the skin with a towel, use a scrub or a rough washcloth for the first 2-3 days after the session.
To avoid irritation in the intimate area after hair removal, you should wear underwear made from natural fabric and loose clothes for the first couple of days.
If unpleasant symptoms continue to appear after a certain technique, you may need to change the method.
To minimize irritation after waxing or sugaring, hairs should be removed against their growth, and shaving should be done, on the contrary, in the direction of hair growth. An epilator machine also removes hairs in the direction of their growth.
There will be less irritation on your legs after hair removal if you wear a skirt rather than skinny jeans in the first days.
Depilation without inflammation and irritation is possible when done by a professional. Try contacting a specialist if you cannot avoid negative consequences at home.
In the treated area, the length of the hairs must comply with the technical rules (1–1.5 cm for sugaring, waxing, mechanical machine and 2 mm for laser and photo hair removal).
If itching or swelling appears after depilation, this could be an allergy; you should change the method and observe the reaction of the epidermis.

These tips will help avoid irritation, but do not guarantee its complete absence, since the sensitivity of the skin and its reaction to irritants is very individual for everyone.

Frequently asked questions and answers

Is it possible to sunbathe and swim in the sea if irritation does not go away after sugaring?

You should not do this, especially if you have had your bikini area epilated. Skin microtraumas can become infected.

What to do if irritation does not go away after using baby powder?

Use other means: ointments, creams, herbal infusions, antiseptic liquids.

My feet are constantly itching after using an epilator, what should I do?

Perhaps this is a special reaction of the skin to this method of depilation, try changing the method or use antipruritic drugs (Triderm, Sinaflan, Radevit).

How to get rid of red dots after hair removal?

Most likely, these are wounds from hairs pulled out by the roots. Removing spots can be done using regenerating ointments/creams and medicinal herbs.

The skin is red after laser hair removal, what should I do?

Laser flashes may burn sensitive skin. Anti-burn medications will help: Bepanten, D-panthenol and other analogues.

Which depilation method does not cause irritation?

It is impossible to give an exact answer; each person’s reaction is individual.

More than a week has passed since epilation, and the skin is still blotchy and continues to itch, what could it be?

Consult a dermatologist, it may be an allergy, fungal or other infection, it is impossible to answer for sure.

Every time I have severe irritation in my bikini area after waxing, what should I do?

Try hair removal with sugar paste, it is less traumatic.

Modern girls often remove excess hair all over their body, including the bikini area. Correctly shave the intimate area without irritation using.

Why do acne appear after waxing? Ulcers, irritations, and swellings form for various reasons.

A razor is a simple and affordable tool for removing unwanted body hair. Many girls wax their legs this way.

Sugaring is a safe procedure, however, in the first 12-24 hours after it, irritation and inflammation may occur.

Classic shaving is an easy and quick way to get smooth skin for 1-2 days, but in order for girls to shave properly and without irritation, it must be taken into account.

I used to use regular baby cream after shaving, that’s it... But my husband bought Elon ointment because the irritation from daily shaving was very strong. After it I felt much better and I myself became hooked on this miracle remedy. I like that it soothes the skin and does not leave a greasy residue. We both enjoy using it.

Irritation after epilation in the bikini area (English)

Irritation after epilation in the bikini area