How To Avoid Whiteheads After Waxing Hair Removal

Many people from a breakout of pimples or whiteheads after waxing hair removal; this is often caused by either an ingrown hair or because the waxing has had the effect of a strong exfoliation, removing the topmost layer of your skin along with the hairs.

The effect of this exfoliation combined with the pore opening effects of using the hot wax for the treatment is to cause your pores to open and leaves them more prone to bacterial infection which will cause the pimples and whiteheads. These can range in size and severity from very tiny bumps under the skin to quite large blemishes.

There are some steps you can take when using waxing hair removal treatments for how to prevent whiteheads forming – or at least to minimise the likelihood of a crop of whiteheads as follows:-

Preparation Before Waxing Hair Removal

waxing hair removal

Follow our tips for avoiding pimples and whiteheads after waxing


Preparation before waxing is a three step procedure.

  1. Before you do anything, ensure that your hands and fingernails are thoroughly clean.
  2. Exfoliate. Using a gentle exfoliating product will ensure that your skin is free from oil and cosmetics and that any dead, surface skin cells have been removed.
  3. Use an antimicrobial cleanser specifically for pre-waxing. Gigi, for example make these.

During Waxing

Minimise the chances of any infection by using a clean spatula or applicator every time you need to get more wax from the pot. If you are using strips, this is not an issue.

After Waxing

  1. Thoroughly cleanse your skin, apply either witch hazel (a natural antiseptic) or aloe vera. Apply with a clean cotton wool pad. This will help to close the pores and reduce any bacteria on the skin and minimise the chances of any bacteria entering the pores and causing an infection resulting in pimples or whiteheads after waxing.
  2. Avoid the temptation to touch your skin as this is the number one way of transferring bacteria and pore clogging skin oils back onto your face.

Waxing Hair Removal Tips

Folliculitis is a condition that can occur after waxing and is a name for an infection of the hair follicles in the area that has been treated. Your doctor can prescribe antibiotic ointment which is usually effective in clearing up an outbreak. In severe cases a course of oral antibiotics may be prescribed. Pictures of folliculitis can be seen by following the link to the New Zealand Dermatological Society web site.

When you have waxed your chin, upper lip or eyebrows, try to avoid any physical exercise that will cause you to perspire heavily as the pore opening can allow in bacteria and the salt in your sweat can irritate skin which may already be a little tender after waxing. Avoid exfoliating your face again for a couple of days or more if there is any redness or tenderness.

If you have waxed your legs, bikini line or any other part of your body, the point about physical exercise also applies here. In addition, avoid wearing tight clothing that might irritate or chafe. For the first twenty-four hours after waxing, stick to a warm (not hot) shower instead of a bath.

If you do get the odd pimple or whitehead, use an antibiotic cream such as Neosporin (unless you are allergic to any of the ingredients) or apply a tiny spot of tea tree oil which even skin care experts say is extremely effective.

What to do if you are still getting pimples or whiteheads after waxing

If, despite all the precautions above, you still get plagued with whiteheads after waxing, there are other options for removing unwanted hair.

  1. Threading is a procedure which, like waxing, removes the whole hair, right from the root (not just taking off the hair that is visible on the surface of the skin). It takes a bit of practice to master but is very effective.
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  3. Sugaring is another method you could try – and which is particularly good for larger areas such as the legs. This is gentler on the skin, especially as it does not exfoliate the top layer of skin like waxing does.
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Either of these two methods will help you remove your unwanted hair without the unpleasant side effects of using wax. These are not limited to whiteheads after waxing hair removal, they can also include, pain, damage to blood vessels under the skin which can result in bruising as well as hairs that become ingrown.

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