How To Treat and Prevent Bumps After Waxing?

Many women often wonder how to treat and prevent bumps after waxing. In any case, I know I did.

I still remember that embarrassing day during my teenage years when I made a huge mistake — I decided to wax before going out. I expected flawless-looking skin; instead, I had post-waxing bumps and pimples all over.

But that was what got me thinking… Is there a way to prevent those bumps? Or, should waxing just be banned altogether?

That question was what triggered me, and now here I am, writing an entire waxing guide for you. Trust me — whatever treatment and prevention methods you could think of and read about, I’ve covered them all in this article.

Why does waxing cause bumps?

First of all, don’t worry when you see bumps on your skin after waxing because that’s a completely normal reaction. They form because waxing removes hair from its follicles by force. As a result, inflammation occurs, which is what we commonly refer to as “bumps.”

Those bumps go down after a day or two. But in some (extreme) cases, they get filled with fluid/pus. There is still no need to worry because pus can be easily treated at home.

But that’s not all. If your hair is naturally curly, waxing will probably cause a lot of ingrown hair. That could result in what looks like acne when you use wax to remove facial hair.

How to treat these bumps

The most important rule to remember when treating bumps is to leave them alone. Trust me —  they will heal in no time as long as you don’t keep touching or popping them.

Nonetheless, this waxing guide is all about treating those bumps. So here are some alternatives for you.

Avoid wearing tight clothes for about two to three days after waxing body hair. Fabric can irritate your skin, which could lead to more bumps, especially if the skin can’t breathe underneath the clothes.

Also, always use a skin-soothing cream after waxing the hair off. But make sure you don’t use a moisturizer because that can clog freshly waxed pores. I’d recommend aloe vera or essential oils. They should reduce possible inflammation, redness, and rashes.

Usually, people wax just before they take a shower. If you’re one of those people, don’t use hot water on your skin immediately after waxing. Opt for cold water instead because that will soothe the irritated skin and heal the bumps.

Finally, avoid lotions, colognes, and perfume just after waxing. Those kinds of products can cause a burning sensation, increase inflammation and result in more rashes or bumps.

At the same time, you should also avoid working out after waxing because sweat can also irritate freshly waxed skin.

So all in all, waxing just before you go somewhere sounds like a really bad idea. Waxing is more of a weekend job that requires time and attention. If you do it in a hurry, you might damage the hair but not remove it. And that is what causes severe bumps.

DIY remedies to treat bumps

Remember I said bumps are normal and even if they persist, there is no need to worry because they can easily be treated at home? Here’s how that can be done.

What you will find in any good waxing guide is that aloe vera and essential oils (like tea tree) are must-haves in every woman’s cupboard. Believe me, rubbing some aloe vera on your skin after waxing is a divine feeling. It will reduce irritation, bumps and moisturize your skin too.

However, if you want to take it one step further, you could consider a quick DIY sugar scrub. All you need is ½ a cup of sugar and ½ a cup of coconut oil. After mixing the two ingredients thoroughly, rub the mixture on the affected area in circular motion. That should massage your skin and soothe it.

Another favorite ingredient of mine when it comes to DIY body care recipes is apple cider vinegar. It fixes literally everything — dry hair, dry skin, and even diabetes! In your case, if you notice severe bumps or a rash after waxing, soak a cotton pad in some apple cider vinegar and dab it on the affected area. Repeat this three to four times during the day.

How to prevent bumps from forming

If you’re reading this article because you’re suffering from post-waxing bumps, by now you’ve probably learned your lesson. So in future, make it a point to do the following if you want to prevent these bumps from forming on your skin.

First, exfoliate your skin regularly. I would recommend doing that every other day. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and other things that could be blocking the hair follicles. So, when you have to wax the hair off, it won’t require too much force, which could prevent irritation and bumps.

The next thing you have to remember is that you should maintain a consistent waxing schedule. Almost everything in your body follows a cycle, even your hair growth. When you break that cycle, you end up damaging the strands of hair rather than removing them.

Plus, if you remove hair before it has grown enough, you will only irritate your skin and try to pull on ingrown strands. That is one of the main causes of bumps after waxing.

Finally, remember to avoid waxing if you’re about to get your period. Your pain threshold is lower during those days, so waxing could be too much for your skin to handle at that point.

Conclusion

Now you know that it’s not just possible to treat but also to prevent bumps after waxing. Of course, if they seem too severe, it’s better to consult a dermatologist. However, if they seem quite mild, you could just try using tea tree oil, aloe vera or a gentle scrub.

What’s more, you’ll find post-wax creams and gels in stores. So, if there is a brand that you trust, don’t hesitate to invest in one of those products. In case you have an event coming up, and you just have to wax, having a good gel or cream could treat the bumps immediately.

In any case, in order to learn how to treat and prevent bumps after waxing, you need to be diligent with your routine. Avoid wearing tight clothes, forget about perfume and just let your skin breathe. That will ensure it remains soft and completely bump-free — what more could a girl ask for?