Protect your skin when getting a wax job

If there’s one thing a majority of women overlook when it comes to personal grooming, it has got to be the waxing room. Months back, I wrote about waxing and how it can lead to infections. Today, I delve deeper into your personal responsibility when it comes to preventing infections.

Out of the thousands of salons that exist around the country, close to half of them declare they are equipped to wax your bikini line and other parts. But how many of these actually have licensed, well-trained professionals? And how much do you do before getting your hair ripped off?

For a start, when going for a wax job, be absolutely sure that your skin is not irritated or sunburnt and that you do not have an infection. If you have an STI, especially herpes and genital warts, do not go for waxing. It is also quite possible to transmit the human papiloma virus (HPV).

It is critical to remember that if and infection is in its active phase, it will be so much easier to pass on. Get it treated and once it is cleared — and you have the go-ahead from your doctor — then you can wax.

There are several infections that research reveals can be transferred during waxing, so take care of yourself and the next woman. To protect yourself, look for a technician who is fanatical about hygiene.

In case you had a wax job done and developed an infection, notify the technician who worked on you and register this with the salon and get it treated. You might also want to seek out another technician. That is your prerogative as it is your body and money so you can be as picky as you want.

Pay attention to post-wax infections. Is it folliculitis, which are inflamed hair follicles that become swollen, irritated and possibly pus filled. This is a bacterial infection that will need a doctor’s attention.

Another infection that occurs days after waxing could be cellulitis. You would think this is an outbreak of cellulite – but it’s far from that. The name comes from the fact that it is a bacterial infection that lies under the skin, rather like cellulite. It tends to be easier to notice because your skin turns reddish. It can however cause a fever and give you chills, misleading you into thinking you have the common cold so monitor your body closely. If something feels off, it probably is.

Cream to soothe

After waxing, you can get 1 per cent hydrocortisone ointment or cream to soothe your skin. It is gentle enough to use on your face, too.

Also note, waxing is not necessarily something any woman can do. Diabetics should check with their doctors as should anyone with circulatory issues. To be safe, you could consider other hair removal options.

Some medications also make your skin quite sensitive, for instance if you are being treated for acne with Accutane or Vitamin A products, have a condition being treated with steroids or have a fragile immune system. Check with your doctor first before booking an appointment at a wax salon.

The main reason for involving a medic is because aside from the wax getting stripped with your hair, it takes a very thin layer of skin with it. This is why it is said that waxing exfoliates, and why you need to seriously consider post-waxing care. Ask for the best post-wax topical antibiotic ointment and use for several days after as the surface is left raw.

If you are a waxing regular, it is also a good idea to check yourself for any irritations or tiny cuts. Also look out for ingrown hairs which tend to be quite common with African women owing to the curly nature of our hair.

Minimise transference

In sophisticated spas both here and internationally, they hand you disposable underwear to preserve your modesty and minimise transference. But to up the hygiene, carry a change of underwear in your handbag when going for waxing.

When scouting for waxing salon options, go for the hygienic rather than the cheap. Here, the technicians will wear gloves during the procedure and right before they start, they will clean the area meant to be waxed. They also spread a clean towel below and place a disposable sheet of paper underneath.

If you can’t get any referrals, do your own research. Before you commit yourself to a place, visit several salons and ask questions. Do not be content with the receptionist simply nodding yes to the question “Do you do waxing?” Ask what kind of wax they use and why, share your reservations and listen to their reassurances. Monitor what their customer service is like and weigh it in your own mind.

It is easy to sidestep the anguish of infection by observing the hygiene of the technician in particular and the salon in general. And keep in mind happy clients are more than willing to talk. Of course, so are unhappy clients. So ask for information.

Once you get a place you find satisfactory, make sure the wax is not hot. It should be slightly warmer than your body temperature.

A separate pot of wax and spatula for each client should be used because you would pretty much have to boil the wax to neutralise bacteria from a previous session, which makes the wax unusable. And any viruses therein would be pretty hard to kill.

Prepare yourself for the procedure well by taking into account your own health. You also have a part to play before a salon or spa woos you back.