Instead of visiting a professional waxer or a salon, you’ll find more and more people trying at-home beauty treatments like waxing.
But unless you have years of experience as an esthetician, you are likely to experience a few issues along the way, like wax burns.
To help you out, let’s explore the ins and outs of this procedure, including how to treat wax burns from the comfort of your own home.
How Do Wax Burns Happen?
The first step to properly treating wax burns is to better understand how they happen on all skin types.
Minor burns can occur in several ways, from improper skin preparation to heating your wax much hotter than it needs to be.
Understanding these common mistakes can help you avoid both second-degree and minor wax burns at home.
Poor Preparation
By far, the most common cause of minor burns is that people don’t take the time to properly prepare before waxing.
The less prepared you are, the more accidents are likely to happen.
It is important to have all the tools you need ready to go, as well as any extra items to help make you feel more comfortable, such as post-depilatory lotions for soothing.
Another important facet of preparing for waxing is ensuring the skin is ready.
Many waxers suggest removing dead skin cells before waxing with a gentle exfoliator, which will help the strips grab onto the skin more easily.
It is also important to ensure the skin is cleansed and has no product to ensure proper adhesion and fewer burns.
No Product Testing
It is far too common for people to assume they know how their waxing products will behave because they have waxed before.
Little do they know that one company’s wax might get hotter than another’s due to a different formulation.
That said, it is important to test your waxing products beforehand to learn their ins and outs before applying them to your skin.
Product testing is not only important to make sure they work properly but that they are also high-quality.
Low-quality waxing products tend to perform poorly and cause significant skin damage, such as tearing and burning.
You may even find that some waxes barely remove unwanted body hair, making them relatively useless.
Limited Research
As waxing is often seen as a more convenient alternative to shaving or hair removal creams, there is no doubt it is as popular as it is.
Unfortunately, its popularity also means that 38% of people waxing at home wind up with burns.
At the end of the day, the more experience you have in a specific trade, the better the results will be.
Waxing is possible for anyone to learn, but you must take the necessary steps to make sure you are learning correctly.
To avoid burns, you will want to know the right temperature and consistency for your wax, which strips are best for you to use, and even what direction to wax in.
It can be very helpful to spend a day or two watching YouTube tutorials and learning from professional estheticians before hacking away at your skin yourself.
This is particularly important to keep your beautiful skin healthy and to avoid facial burns or the formation of burn scars anywhere else on your body.
What Do Wax Burns Look Like?
Most people have seen burn spots before, whether in a movie or in real life. But did you know that waxing burns can appear slightly different than your standard blistered wound?
When you get a burn from waxing, it can appear as red bumps, a rash, scalping, or a standard burn spot.
Burn Spots
Burn spots typically occur when the temperature of the wax is well beyond what your skin can handle.
You will instantly feel the wax is too hot, which can result in a massive burning sensation upon application.
In other instances, the wax might not feel too hot at first but increase in temperature once applied.
Rashes
Rashes are particularly common with a Brazilian wax burn, as the pelvic area is one of the most sensitive places to wax.
With a Brazilian wax burn rash, you will notice the pores on your skin are inflamed, almost like an allergic reaction.
This will also include a burning sensation that feels uncomfortable over time.
Red Bumps
Red bumps can happen with an eyebrow wax burn or burns on other areas of your body.
These bumps appear when the hair follicles are inflamed because the hair is removed improperly during waxing.
In most instances, the bumps will settle within a couple of days, but if not, it could turn into an infection.
Scaling
Scaling is the last common injury you might experience with a wax burn.
With scaling, a layer of your skin will be removed, which can result in a scab. This exposed layer of skin will be fragile, tender to the touch, and susceptible to infection.
How To Treat Wax Burns: DIY Tips and Tricks
Not everyone can afford to visit a salon to get their skin waxed, which is why wax burn injuries are common.
Fortunately, for many, treating wax burns at home is simple, often simpler than removing unwanted hair.
That said, it is important to know whether you are dealing with a minor or severe skin injury that may require medical attention.
If you are concerned about the look of a burn or inflamed skin, always consult a doctor before self-treating.
Leaving burns untended can lead to significant health issues, including serious infections.
In all other instances, here are some tips to help you alleviate the pain of having waxing burns at home:
Tip 1: Clean the Area
Whether you’ve noticed ripped skin or a mild wax burn, you need to make sure you clean the afflicted skin first.
Remove the wax using either an organic cold-pressed oil or baby oil and a soft cotton pad or cloth. Rinse the area with cool or cold water, gently cleansing the sensitive skin.
It can be helpful to have a gentle antibacterial unscented soap to get rid of any traces of bacteria after waxing.
If you have a burn, this extra disinfecting step can help prevent infections and other sensitive skin conditions.
Tip 2: Use Cold Compresses
When starting the healing process, one of the best items to have on hand is an ice pack or cold compress to keep the affected area cool.
That said, you won’t want to apply the ice directly to the burn; instead, wrap it in a towel to let the cool seep through.
Hold the compress on the burned skin for up to 20 minutes, letting your skin soothe and become less inflamed.
When you’re finished with the 20-minute treatment, gently pat the area dry with a soft, clean cloth or towel. The last thing you want is to rub the burn spots and cause more irritation.
Tip 3: Apply an Antibiotic Ointment
An antibiotic ointment is the most effective treatment for dealing with wax burns.
These ointment forms are designed with cleaning properties that also keep the wound moisturized and less likely to scar.
Neosporin is a great example, as it is a topical antibiotic cream that wards off infection while assisting your skin with healing.
That said, it is important to check your wound before treating it with an antibiotic.
If you have an open sore or bleeding wound, do not apply these topical solutions until the skin is no longer raw.
Tip 4: Rely on Aloe Vera
The juice from an aloe plant will quickly become your best friend if you are dealing with a waxing burn and even sunburn.
In fact, it is a must-have for your after-wax treatment, even if you haven’t burned yourself.
Aloe is a phenomenal healing balm that seeps into the skin and helps moisturize it while alleviating discomfort from burns.
It is also important to note aloe’s healing properties can assist with skin irritation, like inflammation.
Apply it to the waxed area to keep your skin smooth and calm in between waxing treatments.
Tip 5: Pain Relievers Might Help
Pain relievers are a great treatment for burns if you are dealing with fried skin or an irritated patch of skin that is causing pain.
Whether ibuprofen or acetaminophen, pain relievers can assist the healing process, making your skin feel less uncomfortable throughout the day.
Another massive advantage of these over-the-counter medications is that they help reduce inflammation, which could aid in healing.
Tip 6: Consider Using Bandages
In the event of skin lifting, a bandage can be a great way to keep your skin intact after a waxing burn.
By wrapping your burn with gauze, you add a protective layer between your sensitive skin and the outside world.
This is a surefire way to help reduce the likelihood of infection, especially if you are dealing with a first- or second-degree burn.
Then, continue wrapping your burn with bandages throughout the healing process to keep them clean.
When used with a burn cream or aloe vera, it can greatly help heal minor burns, according to studies.
Tip 7: See a Doctor
It is far too often that people think they can treat burn marks at home when dealing with a more serious burn injury.
Wax is a dangerous substance that can cause second- or third-degree burns when misused.
If you notice that your skin is oozing or isn’t healing as well as it should be, seek medical assistance.
The Best At-Home Wax Burn Treatments
When preparing to start waxing at home, these products are must-haves to keep your skin protected:
1. GiGi Post Epilation Lotion
The GiGi Post Epilation Lotion is a great lotion to use after waxing because it helps condition the skin, reducing the risks of irritation, redness, and flakiness.
It also helps remove excess wax, gently cleansing your skin’s surface to reduce inflammation.
Its most active ingredients include wheat germ oil, vitamin E, and allantoin.
2. VidaSleek After Wax Oil
The VidaSleek After Wax Oil is great for removing wax residue while keeping your skin calm.
In a nutshell, the all-natural formula uses chamomile to calm your skin, while vitamin E oil helps with skin repairs.
There’s no doubt it is a great solution for alleviating discomfort from wax burns.
3. KinRose Organic Aloe Vera Gel
When dealing with burns, aloe vera gel is a great solution.
The KinRose Organic Aloe Vera Gel is made from pure aloe to help soothe sunburns, itchiness, waxing burns, and more.
Treating Wax Burns At Home Is Easy!
With the right products and tips, it is easy to learn how to treat wax burns at home.
As long as you are not dealing with severe skin conditions, such as bleeding or blistering, all you need is aloe and patience.
Instead of suffering from after-waxing discomfort, use the tips in this guide to help heal your skin ASAP.