How to stop breaking out after getting waxed?

I have found that I break out after getting waxed, but not after tweezing (eyebrows). It may be something in the wax or soothing gel reacting to your skin. Have you looked into threading?

Following this discussion! I just got waxed for the first time on Saturday as a prep for my June wedding (wanting to have done it at least once before doing a maintenance wax the week beforehand) and I'm breaking out in a way I haven't broken out before

The same thing used to happen to me. I can't wax because it looks so bad. Just get it threaded, it's pretty fast and I personally like the look of it better (probably because I don't break out lol). It's not really painful either!

Thank you, everyone!

I would like to try to get them threaded; I think I'm just scared it's going to hurt! But it's definitely worth a try! And I guess with chin and lip hair, I can pluck.

What kind of wax are they using? Most of the time if they use a hard wax it is much more gentle on the skin than strip wax. I tried threading but always return to waxing because I can hardly sit through threading.

Have you tried another kind of wax? I haven't ever had my face waxed, but I've been to waxing salons that use hard wax and soft wax. So that may be changing how your skin reacts. I would also recommend getting an exfoliation glove ($2-$5) and using it after, it helps with break outs. There are also SO many toners and cleansers, you may just have to experiment. Maybe a calming lotion would help? Like a baby lotion? Or a cold shower?

I've never known there were different waxes! I'll have to ask my esthetician about them. And MrsD, I think I will have to experiment. Thank you all!

It used to happen to me all the time! One time, the entire area around my brows broke out so badly that it was just like...one giant pimple. What I do is once I have washed my face and moisturized at night, I put some toner on a cotton round, and remove the moisturizer from the brow area. Then I put on a pimple cream with salicylic acid (I use Burt's Bees Maximum Strength Spot Treatment). I use this routine for about a week and don't have any breakouts/ingrown hairs. You can also use a liquid exfoliant pad rather than toner. No make up or cream on the area until at least 5 hours after waxing.

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You know, that might be one of the problems! I put make up on almost immediately after washing my face the second time. Kind of defeats the purpose now that I'm thinking about it, lol! Thank you for your suggestions! I appreciate it!

Aloe vera.

I use that after threading, I break out with that.

Sounds like you have really sensitive skin, like me. I have better luck with sugar on my face and I don't go below that. I pluck my chin and upper lip then ice it. I use Cerave face wash and from Dollar Shave Club, I use Dr.Carvers miracle repair serum.

Thank you both! I['ve been thinking about trying out that sugar scrub thing. And Disneysue, love your username

I would definitely try threading. They can do full face (at least the ones around me can) Has been the best thing for me with my sensitive skin

View Quoted Comment Thank you I worked at Disneyland while I was in college (Yup, going to WDW for our honeymoon and it wasn't even my idea!! I'm definitely marrying the perfect man for me!)
Regarding the sugar, not a scrub (although I do use that on my arms, elbows, and chest 2-3 times a week), I'm talking about instead of hot wax, they use a warm sugar/honey type of goop to remove the hair. It clings to the hair and not the skin so it's a tad less traumatic on your skin. I've learned that my hair is REALLY SOFT and I'm incredibly prone to ingrown hair no matte what I do, so I just stopped.

I used to breakout when I waxed, but two things have been a game changer for me. 1) I do not do strip wax. The place I go to now uses a wax that isn't hot at all and they pull it without a strip. It is actually not as painful as strip wax. 2) I remove all makeup on my face prior to my appointment. I do not put any makeup on until the next day. They do remove the makeup for you at the salon, but washing my face before and using a makeup wipe really moves the makeup better.