How to soothe the skin after waxing or flossing

If you're a woman, facial hair removal - if you so desire - can be literally painful. Think redness, irritation, or just dryness after waxing your eyebrows or lips.because of the wax orthreading. According to a board-certified dermatologist, if you're removing facial hair with one of these methods, there are some steps you can take to minimize these negative side effects.Rachel Nazarian, MD, Schweiger Dermatology in New York. Prior to this, we consulted with Dr. Nazarian about what you can do to soothe the skin after facial hair removal and hopefully make the procedure more enjoyable.

Use calming products

One way to soothe irritated skin after facial hair removal is to apply a small amount of 1% hydrocortisone or aloe vera, says Dr. Nazarian. "You can leave the creams in the fridge to keep them cool during application," she adds.

Take a break from exfoliating

While using products designed to soothe the skin is helpful, Dr. Nazarian notes that you should avoid using exfoliating acids of any kind at all costs. "Skin can be a little sensitive after hair removal, so you should avoid products with ingredients like alcohol, which can irritate it even more." This means that glycolic, lactic, or other alpha and beta hydroxy acids must be set aside until the skin heals.

For laser hair burns…

"If you're undergoing laser hair removal, you should also avoid tanning and other skin care treatments, such as lasers and chemical peels," says Dr. Nazarian. Instead, make sure you use a mild cleanser such asCeraVe Moisturizing Facial Cleanserand then apply a soothing moisturizer such asBliss Rose Gold Rescue Gentle Facial Moisturizer. You can start tanning, laser or chemical peels again one to two weeks after laser treatment. Otherwise, consult a dermatologist if you experience irritation after hair removal for an extended period of time.