Aftercare is just as important as the hair removal process, if not more. Many women who take skin appearance seriously opt for depilatory creams to get rid of pesky hair on their bodies because they know these creams don’t leave itchy bumps or cuts behind.
However, the story doesn’t end there. Post hair removal skin care is important to keep ingrown hair, irritation, and dryness at bay.
This guide will tell you what to put on after hair removal cream for the best results. But first, let’s discuss what issues you’re likely to face if you opt for depilatory creams.
Main Concern with Hair Removal Creams: Skin Irritation
The chemicals in hair removal creams can be harsh on your skin, especially if your skin sensitivity level is high. Apart from smelling weird, these creams can cause an allergic reaction to your skin.
The only drawback of depilatory creams is that they can irritate your skin. You could be allergic to one of the ingredients in the cream. This is why the quality and chemical composition of the product matters so much.
We urge you to do your research and check out multiple customer reviews before buying a hair removal cream.
Always check the ingredients mentioned on the packaging to ensure you’re not allergic to any of them.
Furthermore, it’s highly recommended to do a patch test on a small area, preferably with less hair. If you don’t experience any side effects, the product may be suitable for your skin type.
Make sure you read all instructions and follow them religiously. Be extra careful when applying the cream to a delicate region. If you have sensitive skin, find a product specially formulated for your skin type.
That being said, you must avoid applying a depilatory cream to inflamed, infected, or bruised skin.
Make sure the target area is clean and dry. It’s not a good idea to put a cream or lotion on your skin before a hair removal session.
With just a few precautions, you can set yourself up for a safe and seamless hair removal experience with a depilatory cream.
What to Put on after Hair Removal Cream
Once you’ve wiped off all unwanted hair with a cloth after using a hair removal cream, you must rinse the area thoroughly with warm water. Make sure there is no residue left.
Otherwise, the chemicals will continue to react with your skin, increasing your chances of developing a rash or an infection.
Afterward, pat your skin dry with a soft cloth. Don’t rub the cloth over your skin aggressively, as it may cause severe irritation.
With the dead skin cells ripped off, your skin will be extra sensitive after using a hair removal cream, so you need to be gentle with it.
The first thing you must put on your skin after using a hair removal cream is a good-quality moisturizer. The hydrating ingredients in it will keep your skin smooth and prevent dryness.
It’s also recommended to apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream after a hair removal session.
It’ll help keep your skin’s hydration level in check. You must reapply the product every 12 hours for the first two or three days for the best results.
Lasercyn by Intraderm is another great product that contains a minimal amount of hypochlorous acid. This ingredient possesses excellent antimicrobial properties that promote skin healing.
You can ask an expert in the salon to recommend a good aftercare lotion for your skin that’s packed with soothing ingredients to relieve possible redness or irritation.
What Ingredients Should You Look for in an Aftercare Product?
Different hair removal aftercare products perform differently, depending on their ingredients. Some ingredients are known to relieve inflammation, heal burns, and soothe irritated skin.
Essentially, you should look for an aftercare product containing some, if not all, of the following ingredients.
- Aloe vera
- Shea butter
- Almond oil
- Tea tree oil
- Witch hazel (free from alcohol)
- Chamomile
- Avocado
- Yogurt
- Honey
- Azulene
- Willow bark extract
- Cucumber extract
- Wheat germ oil
10 Post Hair Removal Tips You Need to Follow
The following tips will help you ensure your skin remains soft, smooth, and bump-free after a hair removal session with a depilatory cream.
1. Wash Your Skin with an Antibacterial Soap
First and foremost, you must wash the target area with an antibacterial soap in lukewarm water after you’ve wiped the hair removal cream off your skin. This soap will protect your skin against germs, bacteria, and other parasites.
2. Take Extra Care of Your Skin for 24 to 48 Hours
Your skin becomes extra sensitive once you remove unwanted hair from your body using a hair removal cream.
The best creams offer the benefit of exfoliation, which means your skin will be more exposed to environmental factors after all the dead cells are removed.
This is why you must avoid going out in the sun or pool for a couple of days after using a depilatory cream.
Saltwater, sauna, steam rooms, and tanning beds are also a big NO. Moreover, don’t forget to wear proper UV protection whenever you head out.
3. Exfoliate Gently after 48 Hours
Skin exfoliation not only removes dead skin cells but also improves blood circulation and prevents ingrown hair. While many hair removal creams have exfoliating properties, you should exfoliate the target area 48 hours after removing unwanted hair to prevent itchy bumps from forming.
For best results, exfoliate your skin a few times every week between hair removal sessions to keep your skin in good shape and health.
4. Apply a Soothing Mask
A depilatory cream may strip your skin off some moisture when removing pesky hair. Once you’re done, don’t forget to moisturize your skin to prevent dryness. This is particularly important if you have sensitive skin.
We recommend applying a hydrating mask to the target area daily. The moisturizing agents in the mask will soothe any irritation or burns, leaving your skin fresh, soft, and smooth.
5. Don’t Put Harsh Products on Your Skin for a Day or Two
We can’t stress enough the importance of treating your skin gently after using a hair removal cream.
Considering the unusually high sensitivity level of the skin, you must avoid using products with harsh chemical ingredients that may cause adverse reactions or skin damage.
Only use tried and tested products to soothe and hydrate your skin. Post hair removal isn’t a good time to experiment with new products, no matter how tempted you may be.
If you’re unsure how a certain product will perform on your skin after a hair removal session, don’t hesitate to reach out to your dermatologist. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
6. Avoid Using Acid-based Cleansers
Make it a point to check the ingredients in your cleanser and moisturizer after a hair removal session.
If they contain acids like salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid, or glycolic acid, refrain from applying them to the target area.
Acidic skincare products indeed help shed the dead outer layer of the skin, but there’s a good chance they’ll trigger an adverse reaction on your skin after using a hair removal cream, depending on how sensitive your skin is.
7. Refrain from Taking a Hot Bath
You should avoid taking a hot shower or bath for a couple of hours after removing unwanted body hair using a depilatory cream.
8. Seek Comfort in a Cold Compress
If you experience a burning sensation or skin irritation after using a hair removal cream, you should consider using a cold compress to soothe the affected area. The pain or discomfort will be gone in just a few minutes!
9. Avoid Sexual Activity after Removing Hair in the Bikini Region
The bikini region is highly sensitive. After you’ve carefully removed pesky hair from this area, you should avoid engaging in sexual activity for 24-48 hours. During this period, your skin will be susceptible to bacteria. A little control over your sexual urges, and you’ll save yourself a skin infection!
10. Hydrocortisone Cream
Hydrocortisone cream will be your savior if you develop inflammation in the target area after using a hair removal cream.
This cream is infused with powerful ingredients that help relieve irritation and inflammation after a hair removal session.
You can find this cream at any local drug store. However, before purchasing it, you must talk to a dermatologist to ensure you don’t have any medical reasons to avoid its use.
Once you receive the go-ahead, you can apply the cream right after wiping your hair off. You can then reapply it after a few hours if you feel any further irritation.
Tips to Prevent Ingrown Hair Growth
Ingrown hair growth results in unsightly, bumpy skin. It makes you say goodbye to smooth skin and hello to prolonged hair removal sessions.
If you notice ingrown hair, you can either hide your skin or get rid of the annoying stubble.
Yes. You heard that right.
You can remove ingrown hair at home. Often, this issue is resolved on its own with time.
However, sometimes you may have to take things in your hands to allow the hair follicles to heal. This usually happens when you can see the hair tip outside your skin.
Follow the tips below to get rid of ingrown hair at home.
- Wash your skin with mild soap and warm water.
- Exfoliate the skin gently if you don’t feel any irritation after rinsing the affected area.
- Put a warm washcloth over the ingrown hair and hold it in place for a couple of minutes.
- Remove the cloth and start teasing out the hair strands with a sterilized needle, one by one.
- As soon as the entire strand is visible on the skin surface, pluck it with a tweezer.
- Continue this until all ingrown hair strands have been removed.
- Wash the area again with mild soap and warm water.
- Cover the area with a warm cloth to soothe skin irritation.
That’s it!
This is the easiest and most effective way to remove ingrown hair at home.
With that said, the quality of the hair removal cream you use also determines your chances of developing ingrown hair.
If you choose a nice formula and follow all the instructions mentioned on the packaging, you won’t have to worry about ingrown hair growth at all.
Besides, precaution is better than cure. We recommend following the tips below if you want to stay clear of ingrown hair.
- Exfoliate your skin 24 hours before using a depilatory cream to remove unwanted hair.
- Continue with the gentle exfoliation sessions after a hair removal procedure. You should do this for at least three days to get rid of dead skin cells and allow normal hair regrowth without bumps and ingrown hair.
- Apply a lotion infused with hydroxyl acids to the target area to keep it moisturized after a hair removal session. These acids prevent dryness and loosen dead skin, minimizing the chances of ingrown hair.
- Wear loose clothing for a minimum of 24 hours after using a hair removal cream. This will help avoid skin irritation, allowing the target area to heal on its own without any interference. Fitted clothes will keep rubbing against the skin and hence, result in unsightly hair bumps.
The Bottom Line
If you care about your post hair removal skin, you should know what to put on after hair removal cream.
The skin becomes extra sensitive after you wipe unwanted hair off the surface. If you’re not careful, you’ll be left to deal with skin irritation, inflammation, and ingrown hair.
The tips mentioned in this guide will help you enjoy a pleasant hair removal experience and get salon-smooth skin minus any irritation, pain, discomfort, and pesky stubble.
The best part is that you don’t have to step out of your home to treat your skin like it deserves – all aftercare products are easily accessible at local drug stores.
The key is to keep the hair-free skin moisturized and hydrated using good-quality products. A little precaution will go a long way in giving you the skin of your dreams!