How to Cure Redness on Face After Hair Removal

Waxing is both a quick and effective way to remove facial hair, but unfortunately it can also cause irritation and rashes. If your facial skin is red and itchy or dry and flaky after waxing, you probably have dermatitis. Waxing can also lead to folliculitis, which manifests as nodules caused by ingrown hairs or an infection of the hair follicle. You can treat this fairly common rash with medications and home remedies, and prevent the rash in the first place by taking precautions before and after waxing. If the condition is severe or recurring, see a dermatologist and/or professional service for facial hair removal.

Table of Contents

Soothes contact rash

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Determine if you have contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis can occur when the skin is damaged or irritated by something, such as applying hot wax. You may experience redness, itchiness, raised bumps or blisters if you use wax that is too hot or has the wrong consistency. ^{[1] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

If swelling, pain or burning sensation occurs, stop waxing at home and consider professional waxing.

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Cold compress. Soothe your skin immediately after waxing by applying an ice pack. ^{[2] X Research Source} To maintain the results longer, you can dip a washcloth in cold water and apply it to the irritated skin in 15-30 minute intervals. Repeat this therapy as many times a day as needed. ^{[3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Do not apply ice to the skin for more than 20 minutes at a time. After removing the ice pack, you need to wait for the skin to warm up and return to normal feeling before continuing to apply. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

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Wash your face with cool water and a mild cleanser. Soothe facial skin by rinsing gently with cold water. Use an oat cleanser or mix 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of baking soda with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water to make your own gentle cleanser. ^{[5] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Facial cleansers made with colloidal oats have anti-inflammatory properties, so they are especially helpful in soothing irritated skin. ^{[6] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}
Baking soda gently cleanses the skin and helps relieve itching. ^{[7] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Skin moisturizing. After washing your face, apply a mild, fragrance-free moisturizer to the irritated skin. Look for a moisturizer that’s free of colorants, fragrances, parabens, and oils. Apply moisturizer on your face while skin is still damp. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Ceramide-containing moisturizers can be especially helpful in treating contact dermatitis. ^{[9] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go to Source}

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Apply steroid ointment. Try over-the-counter steroid lotions and ointments, such as 1% hydrocortisone cream, applied 1-2 times daily for 4 weeks. ^{[10] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

If over-the-counter ointments don’t work, your doctor may prescribe stronger topical medications or oral corticosteroids. ^{[11] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Apply calamine lotion or cream. Calamine lotion is used to soothe itching and irritation caused by contact dermatitis. ^{[12] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} You can use calamine lotion as often as you want to relieve itching. Calamine works in part by drying out irritated skin, so you may need to moisturize after application.

Calamine lotion is most effective when applied immediately after cleansing and the skin is still damp.
If desired, you can mix calamine lotion with your moisturizer for two benefits at the same time.

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Avoid scratching. Those rashes can be very itchy, but it is important that you do not scratch to avoid further irritation to the skin. Keep your fingernails short and/or put gloves or socks on your hands when you sleep so that if you accidentally scratch while sleeping, it will be difficult. ^{[13] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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See your doctor if you have a serious reaction. If your skin reacts severely after waxing, or if your rash doesn’t respond to home remedies and over-the-counter medications, you may need to see a general practitioner or doctor. Dermatology. Make an appointment with your doctor if: ^{[14] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to source}

The rash is so painful or uncomfortable that you can’t sleep or interfere with daily activities.
The rash does not improve in 3 weeks.
The rash spreads beyond the waxed skin.
You have a fever or pus-filled blisters appear.
The lungs, eyes, or nose feel irritated.

Treatment of folliculitis

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Determine if you have folliculitis. Folliculitis occurs when the hair follicles become infected, or when hair grows into the skin instead of coming out (ingrown hairs). You may have had folliculitis after waxing if: ^{[15] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

You have red bumps or pimples around the hair follicles in the area of the skin that has just been waxed.
Red, sore, or inflamed skin.
Itchy or burning skin.

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Wash the skin. Wash your face gently with hot (but not hot) water and a mild antibacterial cleanser. Remember to use a clean washcloth each time. Wash your face twice a day. Pat dry with a clean towel after washing. ^{[16] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

Look for cleansers that are free of colorants, fragrances, and parabens.
Facial cleansers containing tea tree oil can be helpful in treating and preventing folliculitis. ^{[17] X Research Source}

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Moisturize skin after washing face. Use a lightweight moisturizer that’s free of dyes, fragrances, and parabens. You should choose lotions formulated for sensitive skin, such as Cetaphil or Lubriderm. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

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Warm compress. Dip a soft cloth in warm water and wring it out. Apply a towel to the red area 3-6 times a day, 10 minutes each time. ^{[19] X Research Source} This reduces inflammation and also helps drain fluid from pustules and blisters. ^{[20] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Apply antibiotic ointment. Treat the inflamed area with an antibiotic cream or ointment such as bacitracin or triple-antibiotic cream. You need to carefully follow the directions on the package or ask your doctor about how to use it. ^{[21] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

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Apply an anti-itch lotion. Oatmeal or calamine lotions are good options for soothing itching caused by folliculitis. ^{[22] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source} Avoid treating itching with hydrocortisone cream, as this product can cause fungal infections.

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See a dermatologist if you have severe folliculitis. If the folliculitis rash is painful, widespread, or doesn’t go away with home care after a few days, see a dermatologist. Your doctor may remove ingrown hairs and/or prescribe topical or oral antibiotics if the folliculitis is caused by a fungal or bacterial infection. They may also give you medication to reduce inflammation. ^{[23] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source}

If you have a fungal or bacterial infection, don’t use a washcloth to wipe other parts of your body, as this can spread the infection.

Prevents rashes and skin irritation

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Exfoliate the night before waxing. Gently exfoliating before waxing can help prevent ingrown hairs and folliculitis. ^{[24] X Research Source} The day before waxing, wash your face with a mild facial scrub. Don’t scrub hard – just use your fingertips or a clean washcloth to gently massage your face in circular motions.

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Use clean utensils every time you wax. Reusing hair removal tools or not practicing proper hygiene can spread fungi, bacteria, and even viruses that can cause rashes. Always wash your hands and face before waxing, and never reuse a waxing device twice. If you’re waxing in a salon, make sure the technician wears gloves and uses properly maintained sterile equipment. ^{[25] X Research Sources}

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Apply cold immediately after waxing. Immediately after waxing, apply an ice pack or cold pack on the waxed area for 15-20 minutes to help soothe the skin. Cooling the skin also helps close the pores and hair follicles, and prevents bacteria from entering. ^{[26] X Research Sources}

Aloe vera gel products that cool the skin after waxing can also soothe irritated skin and prevent redness and breakouts. ^{[27] X Research Source}

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Avoid touching the skin that has just been waxed. While it’s easy to be tempted to touch smooth skin that’s just been waxed, too much touching can also irritate your skin and introduce bacteria to it. Don’t touch your face unless absolutely necessary (for example, when washing your face or applying moisturizer) for a few days before your skin heals. ^{[28] X Research Sources}

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Use an oil-free moisturizer. Before and after waxing, use a gentle lotion that is free of colorants, fragrances and oils. These ingredients can irritate the skin and clog pores. Instead, use a gentle moisturizer like aloe or witch hazel. ^{[29] X Research Sources}

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Avoid exercising right before and after waxing. Excessive sweating can clog pores, irritate skin, and cause breakouts. If you need to exercise, do it before waxing or wait a few days for your skin to recover from waxing. ^{[30] X Research Source}

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Try other hair removal methods instead of waxing. If waxing regularly causes you to develop rashes or breakouts, you may want to consider another method. Try applying a safe facial hair removal cream or consult a professional to see if you are suitable for laser hair removal. ^{[31] X Research Source}

Laser hair removal is not a good choice for eyebrow shaping. You should use a hair removal cream specifically made for eyebrows or use another method, such as plucking.

Things you need

Cold pack or ice pack
Baking soda
Oatmeal face wash
Fragrance-free, oil-free moisturizer
Over-the-counter steroid ointment
Calamine lotion
Clean towel
Warm water
Gentle antibacterial face wash
Salt
Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment
Oatmeal itching lotion
Clean waxing supplies
Medicines (prescribed or recommended by a doctor)

Steps

Soothes contact rash

Treatment of folliculitis

Prevents rashes and skin irritation

Things you need

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