Whether you shave, wax, or use depilatories, hair removal can leave your skin feeling irritated, red, and sensitive. Proper post-hair removal care is essential for allowing your skin to heal and preventing ingrown hairs or infections. Here are some tips for pampering your skin after removing unwanted hair.
Top tips for post-hair removal care
By following these simple post-hair removal tips, you can minimize irritation and keep your skin feeling soft, smooth, and healthy between hair removal sessions.
Cleanse gently
After hair removal, your skin’s protective barrier is compromised, leaving it vulnerable to irritation from harsh cleansers. Reach for a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser to avoid further irritation. Avoid scrubbing vigorously which can lead to micro-tears. Simply let the cleanser dissolve dirt, oil, and hair removal product residue.
Moisturize & Soothe
Moisturizing is one of the most important post-hair removal steps. A good moisturizer helps soothe the skin and supports its natural healing process. Look for fragrance-free, dye-free lotions and creams with hydrating ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides. For an extra dose of cooling relief, chill your moisturizer in the fridge before applying.
Exfoliate (But not right away)
While exfoliating is great for sloughing off dead skin cells that can trap hair and cause ingrowns, you’ll want to hold off for at least 24-48 hours after hair removal. Exfoliating too soon can lead to stinging and irritation. Once some time has passed, use a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliant to keep dead skin from clogging pores.
Protect from the sun
Hair removal makes your skin much more vulnerable to burns and hyperpigmentation from the sun’s rays. Be diligent about applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher before going outdoors. For the first 24 hours, you may want to avoid direct sun exposure altogether.
Apply a calming mask
If your skin is angry and inflamed from waxing, shaving, or using a depilatory cream, try applying a hydrating mask with ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, or green tea to calm redness and irritation. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with cool water.
Wear loose clothing
Tight clothes can further irritate freshly hair-free skin and lead to unsightly rashes or chafing. Stick to loose, breathable fabrics like cotton until your skin has had a chance to heal and recover from the hair removal process.
With a little TLC, you’ll be ready for your next at-home hair removal session in no time!
