Eyebrow waxing is a very popular brow hair removal method but can cause breakouts for some people. In this article, we reveal the steps you can take to prevent breakouts from happening after getting your eyebrows waxed.
Is Waxing Good Or Bad For Eyebrows?
There are pros and cons to most cosmetic services, and waxing is definitely not an exception.
One advantage to eyebrow waxing is that it is faster and supposedly less painful than other brow services like threading.
Of course, this all depends on who is providing the service. But waxing is usually a quick technique that gives the brows a sharp, clean shape.
Also, waxing removes the hair follicle, meaning that the hair takes longer to grow back than if you were to just tweeze your brows.
On the other hand, a disadvantage to eyebrow waxing is that it can be irritating for those with sensitive skin.
Since the wax literally pulls the skin, it can become quite irritated causing redness, swelling, bumps, and discomfort for a lot of people.
Furthermore, if you had a bad wax job, it’ll take longer for the hairs to grow back.
So it’s not that waxing is inherently good or bad. It just depends on how it works for each individual person.
If you have sensitive skin, waxing might not be the right fit for you.
But for a lot of people, waxing is a part of their regular beauty routine and causes them no issues.
What Causes Breakouts After Waxing Eyebrows?
There are several reasons why breakouts occur after getting an eyebrow wax:
Bacteria Entering The Pores
When you have your eyebrows waxed, the entire hair follicle is pulled out, so your pores are open for a short period of time.
This means that any touching of the eyebrows after getting them waxed can cause bacteria and oils from your fingertips to enter the pores.
This is almost a guaranteed way of causing a breakout, so try not to touch your eyebrows right after the treatment
Skin Sensitivity
Breakouts can also occur if you have sensitive skin. A lot of people experience red bumps after getting their eyebrows waxed.
This may not be an acne breakout but rather the skin’s reaction to the wax being pulled from their skin.
Wax Was Too Hot
If the wax is too hot, it can actually cause a burn on the eyebrows that turns into a breakout.
Professionals usually have their wax on an appropriate heat setting which helps prevent this.
So, if you are waxing your eyebrows at home, make sure to set your wax to the heat setting recommended for your specific wax warmer.
8 Ways To Prevent Breakouts After Waxing Eyebrows
A lot of people experience breakouts after getting their eyebrows waxed, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
There are plenty of ways to prevent breakouts such as exfoliating beforehand, applying a skin-soothing cream afterward, and making sure you don’t touch your eyebrows afterward.
Here are 8 ways to prevent a breakout after waxing your eyebrows:
1. Exfoliate Skin Beforehand
One of the best ways to prevent breakouts from eyebrow waxing is to prepare your skin by exfoliating beforehand.
Exfoliation gets rid of any dead skin cells, oil, or any other bacteria on the surface of the skin.
Since eyebrow waxing opens up the pores, exfoliating helps by not getting any of these into the skin and causing breakouts.
2. Apply Baby Powder
You can also apply baby powder to your brows before getting them waxed to prevent breakouts.
Baby powder soaks up any oils you have on your skin which prevents it from entering the pores after waxing.
Also, it makes the hairs much easier to grab for a quick and painless process.
3. Avoid Touching Eyebrows After Waxing
After getting your eyebrows waxed, avoid touching your eyebrows or the eyebrow area.
Touching your brows will cause bacteria and oils from your fingertips to penetrate into the open pores which is what generally causes breakouts.
If you do need to touch your face for any reason, thoroughly wash your hands beforehand.
4. Make Sure You’re Using Fresh Materials
If you are going somewhere to professionally get your eyebrows waxed, it is proper protocol for them to be using a new, clean set of materials on each person.
If you are waxing your eyebrows at home, make sure that you’re discarding old single-use materials right away.
You don’t want to be using materials that have leftover bacteria on them, as this is very likely to cause a breakout.
5. Apply A Skin-Soothing Cream Afterward
Most professionals use a skin-soothing cream, aloe gel, or something of this nature right after the waxing procedure.
This not only prevents irritation, but also decreases the chances of getting a breakout.
If you’re waxing your eyebrows at home, make sure you use a skin-soothing cream to avoid any breakouts and alleviate any irritation.
6. Apply Witch Hazel
A popular ingredient people use in their skincare routine is witch hazel.
When applied to the skin, witch hazel has been shown to have skin healing properties like reducing inflammation, reducing redness, and decreasing the chance of infection.
After getting your brows waxed, applying witch hazel with a cotton ball or cotton pad over the brow area can help to avoid breakouts.
Do not apply it with your fingers, as you want to avoid touching the eyebrow area with your hands directly.
7. Do Not Work Out After Getting Waxed
It is definitely a bad idea to work out after getting your eyebrows waxed.
Working out causes sweat which penetrates into your open pores and can cause breakouts.
So if you want to avoid any breakouts, plan your workout before you get your eyebrows waxed.
8. Be Consistent With Eyebrow Waxing
Once the skin becomes acclimated to eyebrow waxing, it will get used to the wax and not be as sensitive.
Professionals recommend getting your eyebrows waxed every 4 to 6 weeks.
After a few months of doing this, your skin should be less prone to breaking out after a waxing service.
How To Manage Breakouts After Waxing Eyebrows
If you do happen to break out after getting your eyebrows waxed, there are some methods that should help alleviate any irritation:
Cool Compress
Apply a cool compress to the area right after you notice a breakout starting to occur. This is a great way of alleviating some of the irritation.
The coolness helps to bring down any inflammation which is going to help speed up the healing process of the breakout.
It is recommended to apply the cool compress for 20 minutes at a time for the best results.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is used a lot after eyebrow waxes to soothe the skin and minimize discomfort, but it can also be used to alleviate any irritation due to post-waxing breakouts.
Aloe vera is naturally derived and has anti-inflammatory properties that will help to get rid of breakouts fast.
Using an aloe vera gel 3 times a day over the area is a sure-fire way of curing a breakout.
Fragrance-Free Moisturizer
Dryness is going to make your breakouts last longer, so it is important to keep your skin clean and hydrated while it is healing.
When choosing a moisturizer, pick one that is free from any fragrance, additives, or extra ingredients.
The fragrance is not only going to irritate the skin further, but it can also make the breakout last longer.
Consider Other Methods
If you have seemingly tried everything to stop breakouts from happening after getting your eyebrows waxed, consider trying other hair removal methods that may be a better fit for you.
For example, threading and sugaring are two very popular alternatives to waxing that work for a lot of people.