Welts from Wax

Hi, I have sensitive skin and had a lip and face wax today, ouch!
Anyway I usually get red skin, but this one hurt more than usual, and the skin felt numb, and tingly then a long welt developed where the wax was done, does this mean my skin may have been lifted or just sensitve from having waxed that part of face for first time? I never get welts, unless I've been burnt or skin pull, usually? What to do?

[Pam]

Hi,

It sounds to me (and I'm not a doctor) like the wax burned your skin - especially if you have a raised welt.

You may want to ask your beautician to turn down the heat just a little and see if you have any further problems from the wax.

Pam

[murfirhea]

Are you using any topical treatments on your skin?  If your skin was lifted it would have been very shiny after the wax because of the lack on skin.  Sounds like the tech was a bit rougher than usual.  Was it the same person you usually go to.  Did it scab or flake days after? If so then skin was lifted.  Otherwise yes it is possible for your skin to react negatively if it was a new area that has never been waxed.  I'd keep some hyrocortizone on hand when you go to get waxed.  I keep it around and use it after all my waxing services on my clients.

[countryrose]

Thank you for your insight. It took about a week to heal. It stung and then scabbed over first, so it was a big brown scab, then it finally peeled. Luckily, it did not scar. This was a new wax person I was referred to, and I felt that she was a bit too rough with her pulling of tape. Needless to say, I won't be having her wax my facial area anymore.

take care!

[sarahc555]

I recently went to a new place and had my upper lip waxed for the first time. I will definitely never go to this place again - I was burned by the wax and not have a burn mark right above my upper lip, right in the middle under my nose. Ouch!

I am really worried that this is going to scar. This happened Wednesday, and I was using Neosporin up until this morning (Friday) when I called my dermatologist; she said do not use Neosporin, use Vasoline.

So now I am worried that I was useing the wrong thing in the critical 48 hours after the burn, and now am just REALLY hoping it doesnt scar.

Thanks for the post above, countryrose. Your story is encouraging. I hope mine goes away, as well.

Does anyone have any ideas on anything I can do to prevent scarring @ this point? Thanks.

[dontknow22]

Well, I don't know about preventing the scars, but incase your burn does scar, I may recommend using Mederma.  I have used it on a few of my scars and loved it.  It really helped make them less visible.  However, you are not suppose to put it on open wounds, so make sure it is healed before using it. You also have to be very regular about putting it on as many times as you are suppose to or else it is not as effective.  

[Cosmogal]

As a hairdresser and one who waxes often I can recommend some things. First of all, are you using any new products on your face such as those for acne? Also do not wax during your cycle as you retain water and stay out of the sun prior to treatment and just after. Same goes for the tanning boothes. I really doubt what you have is a burn. I have had similar things happen to my skin too. Usually the wax is kept at a constant temp that is pretty warm but not too hot (never use a microwaved one!) One thing is that the technician performing the wax needs to prepare the skin first, use a wax remover after on the skin and then apply the appropriate lotions after. As with any wax service you should never use makeup just after having it done as some contain a base that is not appropriate to use after. Like protroleaum jelly it can cause the heat to remain under the skin and create a barrier and not let the skin breath. I had a client once that it happened too and I did the same thing over and over again  with great results  but this one time she had that happen. We figured it out and she had been using a acne medicine. So many things could be the cause. You may be sensative all of sudden to the wax too. As for the scarring, I don't think you will have one unless you do think the wax was really hot then it could have burned you but if you don't think that is the case then I wouldn't worry. I hope I helped some.
Paula