Is there anything better than hot wax and a glass of bubbly after Sunday brunch?
We know that sometimes our skin doesn’t exactly love getting waxed. But the good news is if you’re prone to histamine reaction after waxing, there are multiple measures you can take to lessen the likelihood of a post-wax reaction.
The goal is to get your skin to cooperate with you so that you can continue taking care of it in the way that you see fit. Let’s get you set up with some recourse and preventatives so that your next wax appointment goes off without a hitch.
What is histamine?
If you live in the allergy world, it’s tough to keep up with what allergens set off a histamine response in our bodies. Histamine is an enzyme that forms in our white blood cells and is our immune system‘s way of saying, whoa there buddy, what’s going on out there? Because they are found in our white blood cells, histamines are the root cause of the myriad of allergy symptoms. From runny noses to itchy throats, histamine is the powerhouse of the allergy cell.
Histamine increases the ability for white blood cells to be carried and engage with pathogens that are perceived as a threat. Take an antihistamine to prevent having to use hydrocortisone cream or aloe vera gel on dermatitis or other allergic reactions.
Why do some people have histamine reactions after waxing?
When we dial it back a little bit, it’s important to remember that body hair was designed for a reason. For the most part, it helps protect sensitive areas like our eyes and nasal passages.
Simply put, a histamine reaction is your body’s immune system doing its job. Foreign elements clearing your skin's canvas from the hair root is not something that our skin is inherently prepared for.
How long does a histamine reaction last after waxing?
We know that our bodies are made up of entirely different molecules which makes them respond to external elements differently. For the most part, a histamine reaction clears up in a matter of hours, or more rarely in a couple days.
What is the difference between allergic reactions and histamine reactions?
Histamine makes up allergies. All of the coughing, itchy throat, red eyes and sneezing are symptoms of histamine, which is a chemical our body releases. Sometimes histamine believes that a generally harmless substance needs to be eliminated, and so it goes to work trying to eradicate its presence in your body.
How to treat a histamine reaction after waxing
There are so many resources used to treat histamine reactions after your wax appointment. While things like essential oils and aloe vera might help, it’s important to know how to layer your steps. Anything from cold compresses to gentle cleansing of the skin can make a tremendous difference, especially if it’s your first point of contact.
Giving your skin relief via cold compress can immediately reduce inflammation, calm your skin and control how far irritation spreads. Follow up with inflammation specific products to cut your reaction time in half, and set your skin up for success at your next appointment.
How to prevent a histamine reaction from waxing
The best way to take care of histamine post wax is to get in front of it. If you already know that you’re prone to a histamine reaction, taking a few preventative measures will make a world of difference in your recovery.
Take an antihistamine before your waxing appointment
One of the smartest things you can do prior to getting waxed is taking an antihistamine. Antihistamines block histamines, keeping those intolerable symptoms at bay or at least dramatically reduced.
Use a high-quality, hypoallergenic wax
There’s truth behind spending a little more on high quality items instead of paying a number of times to get a mediocre product taken care of. Making sure that your esthetician is using high-quality wax to make a world of difference on your skin. High-quality waxes do a better job of drying, pulling the hair from the route and clearing the skin like a blank canvas.
Bare Beauty Wax Supply offers multiple hypoallergenic waxes, such as ItalWax Crystal and ItalWax Orchid for hard wax, and WaxOne Strip soft wax.
Apply proper waxing aftercare products
The best thing you can do for your skin should you find yourself dealing with a histamine reaction after your wax appointment is to already have product stocked to quickly treat the area at home. If you’re unsure what products would best suit your skin, check out our website and keep an eye out for products that you have questions about. We’re glad to guide you.