If you’ve ever had a waxing treatment, you know that it’s just not a painless process.
In fact, if the wax is too hot, it can cause BURNS on your skin (yes that’s right, actual burns).
If this happens, it’s important to know how to treat the burn properly so that it doesn’t become infected or cause any long-term damage.
So how do you treat a wax burn on your face?
Wax burns can range from mild to serious, and the treatment will vary depending on the severity of the burn.
For a mild burn, you can hold a cool, damp cloth on the affected area for a few minutes to help ease the pain and swelling. You can also take an over-the-counter pain reliever if necessary.
Read our guide to learn all you need to know about wax burns on your face and how to treat them.
Why Facial Waxing Accidents Happen
If you’re looking at getting waxing treatment, it’s important to understand the potential risks and complications that can arise. While most waxing treatments are performed safely and without incident, sometimes accidents do happen.
Let’s have a look at what contributes to these accidents.
Lack of preparation
If you neglect to prepare in advance, you increase the chances of an accident. If you need to move about while waxing yourself or if the esthetician requires you to manoeuvre around to get the equipment she needs to operate, errors are possible.
Prepare the area meticulously before beginning work to avoid this. Keep a wax heater, towels, sticks, strips, cotton, and other necessary items within easy reach.
A waxing cart is a fantastic idea since it allows you to keep everything sorted and accessible.
It’s essential to keep all of your essentials close at hand while waxing in order to ensure your comfort and prevent leaks that might stain your furnishings, you’ll be able to relocate it as needed.
Wax Too Hot
One of the most common waxing-related injuries occurs when the wax is too hot and results in burns on your skin. This can range from mild, superficial burns that cause irritation and discomfort, to more serious burns that require medical treatment.
If you do experience a wax burn on your face, it’s important to take the proper steps to treat the burn and prevent infection or other long-term damage.
This may include cooling the area with a damp cloth or ice, taking over-the-counter pain medication, and avoiding further irritation of the area.
Not testing your products
It’s better to be safe than sorry. That is why you should always test the goods you want to use before waxing.
You might end up Waxing a procedure without knowing about any potential adverse effects, such as allergies or skin issues. Waxes are often used on small patches of skin.
Never just trust the instructions on how to use the wax, or the temperature on the wax heater when it comes to wax temperature. Before applying even a droplet of wax, always check the temperature against your wrist.
Using low-quality products
You don’t want to put your skin at risk! Using low-quality goods or performing the incorrect procedures when waxing will not make up for the money you’ll save by doing so.
Always use high-quality items when treating your skin. You are entitled to it! Apply refined formulations that really nourish your skin, and invest in pre-and post-treatment formulations to keep your skin healthy.
Soothe and Repair Your Skin after a Wax Burn
The initial first-aid actions for wax burns in general (redness and burning) are as follows. If the redness is only superficial, it may swiftly subside—usually within minutes or hours after waxing.
You should be able to notice a difference after performing this process a few times. Otherwise, you’ll have to spend more time on each action.
Cold Compress
Apply a cool compress or soak a clean washcloth in cool water and wring it out to apply to the burn area for about ten minutes at least three times per day. This will help to soothe and reduce redness.
Check out our top choice of cold compress perfect for face burns here. Instant Cold Packs are disposable and can be found easily on Amazon.
Moisturizer
Use a moisturizer on the skin around your face, especially after waxing. This helps to keep your skin from drying out, which can lead to irritation.
Choose a moisturizer that does not contain alcohol, fragrance, or other harsh chemicals that could further irritate your skin.
You can also use a natural oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil to moisturize your skin. Apply the oil to your fingers and massage it into the area where you have had a burn.
I use Panthenol Plus which is a burn ointment that contains Provitamin B5. You can find it on Amazon or at your local pharmacy.
If the burn is more than superficial, you may need to see a doctor for further treatment. Deep burns may require a prescription cream or ointment, antibiotics, or surgery.
Hydrocortisone Cream
If the redness does not go away after a few days, you can use an over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream (also known as steroid cream) on the affected area to reduce irritation and inflammation.
Apply the cream to the area three times per day for no longer than one week.
Do not use this cream if you have an open wound or a broken skin barrier. Doing so could lead to further irritation or infection.
Our favourite hydrocortisone cream is cortizone 10 this anti-itch creme goes on smoothly and works quickly for fast itch relief for burns.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel has natural soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce redness and swelling caused by wax burns.
Gently rub a small amount of aloe vera gel into the affected area after your treatment and leave it on for 20 minutes to help soothe your skin.
If you have access to fresh aloe vera leaves, remove one leaf from the plant, cut off the edge and break out the gel inside. Apply a small amount of this fresh aloe vera gel to your burned skin and leave it on for 20 minutes.
Sugar Sprinkles
If you have sensitive skin, applying sugar sprinkles to the affected area can help remove dead skin cells that could further irritate your face.
Sprinkle a small amount of sugar or sugar sprinkles onto the wax burn on your face. Gently massage in circular motions for about one minute and then rinse the area with cool water.
Repeat this remedy twice per day until you see improvement in your skin condition.
Sunscreen
If you have to go out into bright sunlight while the burn is healing, use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to help protect against UV rays.
Try and avoid exposing the skin that is burned to bright sunlight until it has fully healed.
Wear a hat or other protective clothing as needed when going outside to further minimize irritation from sunlight exposure.
Taking care of yourself after a wax burn is important to help reduce irritation and inflammation.
If you experience any symptoms that don’t improve after a few days or if your skin starts to blister, ooze, or bleed, make sure to see a doctor or dermatologist as soon as possible to avoid further complications.
When to Seek Medical Treatment
Most wax burns can be treated at home with simple self-care measures. However, there are some instances when you should seek medical treatment for a wax burn on your face.
You should see a doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
– severe pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter pain medications
– swelling, blistering, or bleeding on the affected area
– fever and flu-like symptoms (shivering, sweating)
It’s also important to see a doctor if you notice signs of infection, such as pus or redness spreading from the affected area.
If you’re not sure whether your wax burn is serious enough to see a doctor, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and seek medical attention.
How to Prevent Wax Burns
The best way to treat a wax burn is to avoid it altogether. There are a few things you can do to reduce your risk of sustaining a wax burn during a facial treatment:
– Make sure the esthetician performing your treatment is experienced and reputable.
– Ask the esthetician to test the temperature of the wax before beginning the treatment.
– If you have sensitive skin, ask the esthetician to use a lower temperature wax.
– Follow all aftercare instructions from the esthetician, such as avoiding sun exposure and using a gentle cleanser on the treated area.
By taking these precautions, you can help ensure that your next facial waxing treatment is safe and comfortable.
Signs of Skin Damage after Waxing
Facial waxing is a popular beauty treatment, but it can sometimes cause skin damage. The obvious signs you may see if you have damaged your skin during waxing are:
- Burning
- Red, inflamed skin
- Blisters
- Scabs
- Pus
Burning
The unpleasant feeling you’re experiencing is usually because your skin is reacting to the treatment.
When hair is ripped out, the outer layer of skin is tugged and stretched, with the deeper layer of skin containing hair follicles that can become sensitive when hair is pulled out by the root.
A particular wax’s components might cause an allergic reaction in your skin, or you might be sensitive to the temperature of the wax.
Red, Inflamed Skin
This is probably one of the most common results of facial waxing practices gone wrong. When skin is irritated and inflamed, it often appears red and blotchy.
If your skin shows signs of inflammation in the hours after your waxing treatment, apply a cold compress. You can also try soothing the irritated skin with a gentle moisturizer or aloe vera gel.
Blisters
Small blisters that form in areas where hair has been removed might be caused by overzealous pulling or tearing of your skin during the treatment.
Try using an antibiotic ointment to prevent infection, and if your blisters are still swollen and painful after a few days of treatment, see a dermatologist.
Scabs
When the skin around your hair follicles is pulled too quickly or tightly during waxing, your body responds by creating scabs. These can be painful, and unsightly and can cause you to delay future waxing treatments.
Try using a topical antibiotic ointment and keep the scab clean and dry. If your scabs do not heal in a few days, consult your dermatologist to find out the best way to treat this type of wound.
Pus
It’s normal for skin that has been damaged from waxing to produce pus. However, if the pus is accompanied by a fever, increased pain or redness that spreads from the treatment site, see your doctor immediately as this could be signs of an infection.
These signs usually indicate that you have an infection. If you see any of these signs, it is important to seek medical help as soon as possible.
If you have a milder reaction to waxing, you may notice skin dryness, itching, redness, or tightness. These symptoms are usually temporary and can be managed with home care measures like moisturizing the area and avoiding further irritation.
If you experience any of these signs after waxing your face, make sure to take care of yourself by keeping the affected area clean and applying soothing ointments or creams.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Heal A-Wax Burn On Upper Lip Fast?
There are a few steps that you can take to help heal a wax burn on your upper lip fast.
Apply a cool compress or use aloe vera gel to soothe the area, moisturize with a non-irritating cream or oil, and see your doctor if you experience any pain or redness that doesn’t improve over time.
Can I put Vaseline on a wax burn?
Yes, you can put Vaseline on a wax burn to help soothe and protect the area. However, if your skin is particularly sensitive, it’s best to avoid using products with added fragrances or other harsh chemicals that could further irritate the area.
What can I put on a wax burn at home?
There are a few things that you can put on a wax burn at home to help soothe the area and speed up healing.
Try applying aloe vera gel, sugar sprinkles, or over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to the affected area, and use sunscreen when going outside to minimize irritation from sunlight exposure.
Additionally, try to avoid exposing the skin that is burned until it has fully healed.
How Long Does A Upper Lip Wax Burn Take To Heal?
Depending on the severity of your wax burn, it can take anywhere from one to two weeks for the area to fully heal.
However, using products with soothing or anti-inflammatory properties like aloe vera gel and hydrocortisone cream can help reduce redness and irritation while the burn heals.
How To Hide Wax Burns on Face?
There are a few different ways to hide wax burns on your face.
Try using cover-up or concealer products that come in different shades and tones to help match your skin color, and consider using bronzer, blush, or other makeup products to help create the illusion of smooth and unblemished skin.
Additionally, be sure to avoid exposing the affected area to sunlight or other harsh environmental factors until it has fully healed.
How To Heal A-Wax Burned Upper–Lip?
There are several steps that you can take to help heal a wax burn on your upper lip.
First, apply aloe vera gel or a cool compress to soothe the area.
Next, moisturize with a non-irritating cream or oil and see your doctor if you experience any pain or redness that doesn’t improve over time. Finally, be sure to use sunscreen when going outside to minimize irritation from sunlight exposure.
Conclusion
If you experience a wax burn on your face, there are several steps that you can take to help soothe the area and speed up healing.
These include applying aloe vera gel or hydrocortisone cream to the affected area, using sunscreen when going outside, and avoiding overexposure to sunlight or other harsh environmental factors until the burn has healed.
Additionally, it’s important to seek medical attention if your symptoms don’t improve or if your skin starts to blister, ooze, or bleed.
By following these steps and taking care of yourself after a wax burn, you can help reduce irritation and inflammation while helping the affected area heal faster.