Pimples After Waxing Brazilian
Unraveling the Mysteries: Pimples After Waxing Brazilian
In the quest for hair-free bliss, many individuals turn to the ever-popular Brazilian waxing method. It’s a beauty ritual that guarantees smoothness and confidence down below. But what happens when instead of flaunting silky, flawless skin, a cluster of unsightly pimples suddenly appears? Say hello to one of the most frustrating mysteries of the beauty world: pimples after waxing Brazilian. It’s a bumpy road we’re about to embark on, as we dive deep into this intriguing phenomenon, aiming to uncover the possible causes and shed light on the best practices to prevent or soothe those pesky post-waxing pimples. So, grab a cup of tea, get comfortable, and prepare to unravel the secrets of the Brazilian waxing debacle.
It is definitely normal to get pimples after waxing! During and after the process of waxing, the skin is exposed to friction, bacteria, and high temperatures that can all affect the barrier’s function.
Pimples after waxing are a somewhat common occurrence, especially for those with sensitive skin! Even the most skilled estheticians cant guarantee that breakouts after waxing won’t happen.
Fortunately, learning what causes pimples after waxing and what can be done before and after waxing can really help prevent those bumps from appearing in the first place.
READ:Ingrown Hairs and Waxing: What You Can and Cannot Control
Why Do I Get Breakouts After Waxing?
There are a couple of reasons why you could be seeing pimples after waxing.
To start your hair follicles are open after waxing, making them a magnet for bacteria and causing pimples. The bacteria can come from your hands, debris on your skin, waxing strips, or even the air around you.
Waxing can also cause micro-tears in your skin. While it may not be visible to the eye, these microscopic tears are easily susceptible to bacterial growth and infection if left untreated.
Bacteria breeds pimples. So it’s important to take steps to do everything you can to make sure bacteria is kept at a minimum, like investing in a quality pre-wax cleanser.
Additionally, if you tend to use comedogenic beauty products, whether it be moisturizers, SPF, or make-up, immediately after a fresh wax or right beforehand, you could be aiding these pimples after waxing due to clogging your pores.
Another reason pimples after waxing occur could be due to friction.
The waxing strips used to remove hair from the face and body are often made of paper, cloth, or synthetic materials. These strips adhere to the hair and pull it out with the root by creating traction when sliding them back against your skin.
This repeated motion across the skin can lead to irritation and potential friction that may cause breakouts.
So, when you get pimples after waxing, especially if you are experiencing breakouts only after waxing and not normally, it is likely that the openings of your hair follicles are trapping bacteria and producing excess sebum within the skin.
How Long Does Pimples Last After Waxing?
Pimples after waxing can last anywhere from a couple of days to a week or more, with most clearing up, or at least beginning to go away, in just two or three days.
Your skin type and the amount of how sensitive your skin is will determine how long pimples after waxing take to heal.
If you find that your pimples last longer than a week post-waxing and are getting extremely inflamed or painful, it may be time to visit your dermatologist or family doctor because that could possibly mean there’s an infection.
Of course everyone’s skin is different so healing times may vary; but, if you want to accelerate healing time for pimples after waxing we have some suggestions!
READ:Tamanu Oil Benefits for the Skin
Treating Pimples After Waxing
If you have found yourself with pimples after waxing, there are a few things you can do to treat them.
The most important thing to do is take care of the skin! Cleansing the skin with a good cleanser or applying an antiseptic toner (like witch hazel) helps remove any residue and restore the skin’s pH balance so it can begin to heal the pimples after waxing.

Using a post wax lotion in addition to cleansing is a good way to aid healing as well. A post-wax lotion infuses the skin with nutrients that it needs to soothe itself when fighting the bacteria trapped caused by the pimples after waxing.
Avoiding touching the pimples is also a huge part of treatment for pimples after waxing!
Pre & Post Wax Pimple Prevention Tips
Like mentioned above, investing in quality pre & post care products, like a good cleanser or lotion, are crucial in preventing pimples after waxing.
At Nova, we carry apre & post care bundle, which contains our cleanser, lotion,anda first of its kind dual-action oil. The pre & post care bundle is a great way to ensure you have everything you need to stop the bumps before they come or treat the bumps if they come.
The first thing you should always do before waxing is properly cleanse the treatment area. Proper cleansing removes surface dirt, debris, and oil (all of which contribute to post-wax pimples).
Applying a cleanser to wet skin and making sure it’s completely removed and dry before waxing is a MUST!
As for other after waxing pimple prevention tips, one of the first things you want to make your client aware of is at-home pre care.
Before your client comes in for a wax, they should be informed to stop any comedogenic and oil-based products for at least a few days. Comedogenic products aren’t great to use on acne-prone skin anyways, but if they are using them, stopping in advance can help prevent their pores from clogging up and causing pimples after waxing.
Additionally, they should gently exfoliate about 48 hours before the wax. This will clear dead skin cells to prevent any post-waxing pimples.
As for after waxing pimple prevention, immediately applying post-care to your client’s skin is essential in preventing pimples after waxing.
When it comes to educating them about their own post-wax care, remind your clients to keep their hands away from the newly waxed area at all times!
In addition, cleansing and exfoliating the area is a good idea especially if they have acne-prone skin.
On the day of and day after waxing, it is best to stay away from saunas, excessive exercise, or any activities that can cause you to sweat a lot. This sweat can seep into the open pores and create bumps and pimples.
Last but certainly not least, when you commit to a regular waxing routine, it can help your clients avoid pimples after waxing.
The more you wax, the healthier the skin becomes due to increased exfoliation. The clogged pores and dead cells removed with a waxing service also lessen the chances of pimples after waxing forming.
1. “Beauty Blunders: When Unwanted Guests Crash the Brazilian Wax Party”
Discovering a surprise guest during a Brazilian wax can be nothing short of mortifying. From ingrown hairs to unexpected bodily functions, these beauty blunders can turn a routine waxing session into an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned veteran, it’s important to be aware of the potential mishaps that can occur in the waxing room. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the most common beauty blunders that can crash your Brazilian wax party.
- Ingrown Hair Invasion: One of the most dreaded beauty blunders is the emergence of ingrown hairs post-wax. These pesky blemishes can crop up a few days after your waxing session, disrupting the smoothness of your skin. To prevent this unwelcome occurrence, exfoliate regularly in the days leading up to your appointment and invest in post-wax treatments specifically designed to combat ingrown hairs.
- Eek! Awkward Conversations: While estheticians are professionals who’ve seen it all, engaging in awkward conversations during a Brazilian wax is an uncomfortable experience for both parties involved. To avoid these cringe-worthy moments, it’s best to prepare yourself mentally and come up with a list of topics or distractions beforehand
2. “From Smooth to Bumpy: Understanding the Unexpected Side Effect of Post-Waxing Pimples
While waxing doesn’t cause breakouts, bacteria that enter the open pores post-wax can. It’s common to get pimples after a wax, whether tiny little bumps, whiteheads, or rather large blemishes. Pimples after waxing are frustrating but nothing to stress about. Waxing can cause breakouts and irritation for several reasons: allergies to the wax, skin sensitivity, touching the area, or even getting a mild burn. “Waxing removes hair follicles from the root,” says Dr. Karan Lal, a double board-certified adult and pediatric dermatologist. “This not only allows bacteria to enter the hair follicle, but the trauma of waxing can cause inflammation.”
In addition, when you wax, some of your skin on the surface may get removed, meaning your pores are left exposed. Anything that touches the area during this time, including soothing agents, may cause pimples. Luckily, simple things like proper prep and post-wax care can minimize post-waxing breakouts, giving you clear and smooth skin.
MEET THE EXPERT
- Dr. Karan Lal is a double board-certified adult and pediatric dermatologist, and a fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist based in Scottsdale, Arizona.
- Dr. Hadley King, MD, FAAD, is a New York City-based dermatologist.
- Deidra Green is a licensed esthetician for European Wax Center.
- Shelby Galvan is an esthetician at one of L.A.’s favorite hair removal salons, Wax LA.
How to Prepare Your Skin to Prevent Breakouts
There are a few things you can do to prevent pimples in the prep phase before waxing:
- Use a gentle exfoliator days before waxing. “Regularly gently exfoliating the areas after waxing will help to buff away dead skin cells and avoid clogged pores and ingrown hairs,” King explains. “The last exfoliation should be at least a day before the wax. And wait for a few days after waxing to restart to allow the skin to recover.” King says to avoid exfoliating immediately before waxing to keep the skin barrier intact and to decrease the risk of irritation from the wax. She recommends using a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliator with glycolic acids and AHAs. “This decreases the chance that skin will cover where the hair is growing,” King explains.
- Keep all areas clean before waxing. Keeping all areas clean is important as well. If you’re at home, thoroughly scrub your hands and nails with warm water and soap. Dr. Lal recommends using an antibacterial cleanser before your wax appointment to prevent infection.
- Use disposable gloves when touching your skin. Experts agree that when you make an appointment, it’s important that the tech wears gloves (at least on the hand that’s in contact with your skin). If you’re getting a Brazilian, and they ask you to help hold the skin during the service, ask for a pair of gloves for yourself.
Waxing Precautions
When it comes to waxing, the most important thing is not to double dip. Even if it’s your wax pot, you should only dip the applicator once and throw it away. Using a fresh stick each time ensures you don’t introduce bacteria into the product. If you go to the pros, it’s even more important for the salon or spa to practice this precaution. If you notice the salon is dirty, you should cancel your appointment and find a new provider.
Using a tea tree-based wax can help prevent pimples, too. Tea tree has antiseptic properties frequently used in acne products.1 Those prone to breakouts after waxing may get fewer pimples if, along with other precautions, you use a wax that contains the essential oil.
If you’re sensitive to wax, consider putting a thin layer of baby powder over the area about to be waxed. The powder will make it easier for the wax to grab your hairs while simultaneously absorbing excess oil and reducing contact irritation.
Post-Wax Care to Prevent Breakouts
Post-wax care is equally important to preventing breakouts and irritation. Here are some steps to follow to help minimize breakouts after a waxing service:
- Soothe the skin post-wax. “Applying cold packs and a moisturize post-wax is important,” King says. “Avoid hot baths and showers.” King says to support the skin barrier with moisturizers containing emollients or aloe vera for anti-inflammatory benefits. She also points to cica as a great ingredient for calming inflammation and recommends Avene’s Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream ($42). King also says that over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can help if the skin is irritated post-wax.
- Use witch hazel. Apply witch hazel with a cotton ball or square if you’re at home. Its antiseptic and soothing properties can help ward off infection.2 You can also try Finipil, which is specifically made to be used to kill acne-causing bacteria after hair removal. As always, it’s important not to touch the area after waxing. While many people enjoy the smooth, hair-free feeling, you’re most susceptible to infection after removing the hair.
- Avoid excessive sweating post-wax. Green recommends avoiding any exercise or activity that will make you sweat a lot the day of your service and wearing loose clothing around the area you got waxed for a few days.
What to Do If You’re Already Dealing With Waxing-Related Pimples
Proper preparation and precautions are key if you’re already dealing with pimples before waxing. According to King, you should avoid waxing if you have taken isotretinoin in the last six months. “Avoid retinoid and retinol creams for two to five days before waxing your face to avoid removing skin and hair. This doesn’t apply to bikini waxes unless you’re using retinol in that area,” she explains.” Days before your wax, use soothing, gently exfoliating toners to buff off dead skin and minimize irritation and avoid picking at pimples to reduce irritation and potential infection.