How to Handle Ingrown Hairs After Facial Waxing
Waxing gives you soft and smooth skin, but even when you use the best wax, ingrown hairs can still show up. The good news? You can manage them. Plus, with the right care, you can stop them from coming back.
How can you handle ingrown hairs like a pro? Start as soon as you leave the salon.
What are Ingrown Hairs?
An ingrown hair is when hair grows back into the skin instead of out through the follicle. Waxing removes the hair at the root and as it regrows it can curl under or get trapped beneath the surface, especially if dead skin cells are blocking the way. This gives you redness, small bumps or tenderness after waxing.
What Should You Do Right After Your Facial Wax?
What you do the first 24-48 hours after your facial waxing matters. Follow these steps to give your skin the best start:
Keep the Area Clean: Do not apply heavy creams, makeup or SPF products directly to waxed skin within the first day after your appointment.
Skip the Hot Showers or Steam Room: Heat irritates freshly waxed skin and can inflame follicles.
Stay Out of the Sun: Your skin is more sensitive than usual so it’s important to protect it accordingly.
Don’t Pick or Touch: Hands carry bacteria and freshly waxed skin is more vulnerable.
At Obsidian Salon & Barbering, we want your skin to stay smooth and beautiful. That’s why we give you the advice you need to prevent ingrown hairs after your appointment at our Winnipeg waxing salon.
How Do I Treat an Ingrown Hair That’s Already There?
Is there a bump forming on your face? Here are the best ways to deal with it:
Exfoliate Gently: Use a mild facial scrub or a soft exfoliating cloth 3-5 days after your wax to clear dead skin cells and free any trapped hairs.
Use a Warm Compress: Apply a warm, damp cloth to the area for a few minutes to soften the skin and encourage the hair to surface.
Apply a Salicylic Acid or Tea Tree Oil Product: These reduce inflammation and keep the follicle clear without being too harsh on the facial skin.
Don’t Dig It Out: If a hair is deeply embedded in your skin, leave it alone or visit a professional. Picking can cause scarring or infection, especially on the face.
When you have an ingrown hair, there’s no need to feel ashamed, it happens more than you think. Simply treat it or seek out professional help if it doesn’t go away on its own.
How Do I Prevent Ingrown Hairs Between Waxes?
The best way to avoid ingrown hairs is prevention. A consistent skincare routine between appointments makes a difference. Here’s our advice:
Exfoliate your face 2-3 times per week to prevent dead skin buildup
Moisturize daily to keep skin soft and follicles clear
Avoid tweezing or threading between appointments because it disrupts the hair growth cycle and makes ingrowns more likely
Stay on schedule, regular waxing weakens the follicle over time, leading to finer growth and fewer ingrowns
By following this advice, you can continue to feel beautiful and confident long after your appointment day.
When Should You See a Professional?
Generally, ingrown hairs on the face will resolve themselves with proper care. However, if you’re experiencing significant swelling, pus or have a bump that won’t budge after a week, it’s worth getting it checked out. Your face is front and centre so if something is wrong, you shouldn’t just try to push through it.
Ready for Smooth, Clean Skin Without the Stress?
At Obsidian Salon & Barbering in Winnipeg, our team offers facial waxing services that will leave your skin feeling smooth, not sorry. Our team of estheticians will walk you through aftercare and ensure you leave feeling like a million bucks without the million-dollar price tag.
Give us a call or book your facial waxing appointment online. New clients get 15% off their first visit because you deserve to feel good from the very first time!