That Awkward Moment When Your Waxing Goes Horribly Wrong
You’ve booked your eyebrow or upper lip waxing appointment. You’re looking forward to neat, sleek brows and a mustache-free lip. What could possibly go wrong?
Little do you know, your seemingly harmless retinol serum or cream could set you up for a waxing disaster if you’re not careful. Keep reading to avoid ever having to relive *that* cringeworthy moment.
How Retinol Transforms Your Skin
So what’s the big deal with retinol anyway? Retinoids like retinol, tretinoin, isotretinoin, and retinaldehyde are forms of vitamin A often used in skincare. Brand names you may recognize are Retin-A, Differin, Accutane, and even some OTC retinols like Neutrogena Rapid Wrinkle Repair.
Retinoids work their anti-aging magic by accelerating skin cell turnover. The outermost skin layer, called the **stratum corneum**, gets exfoliated faster to reveal fresh new cells underneath. Over time, retinoids thin out the stratum corneum.
While thinning of the skin may seem scary, it can actually give you gorgeous glowy skin when dosed properly under a dermatologist’s guidance. Just know that it comes at a cost―you need to treat that stratum corneum with extra care.
Strengthening Skin’s Defenses Takes Time
Have you ever peeled a ripe banana only to accidentally tear off a big strip of the inner fruit too? Just like the bright yellow exterior protects what’s inside the banana, your stratum corneum shields the vulnerable new layers after retinol use.
If you wax off the stratum corneum before those inner layers fully mature, it can get pretty ugly. More on that soon! The point is retinol speeds things up down there. You need to give your skin cells some lead time to strengthen.
This is why most dermatologists recommend ceasing retinoid use at least **5 to 7 days** before hair removal like waxing. The higher the retinol strength and concentration, the longer your skin needs to adjust.
How Hot Wax Attacks Skin
Waxing 101: warm wax attaches to hair strands and adheres lightly to skin. The aesthetician spreads a muslin strip over the wax, then pulls against hair growth. This yanks everything out swiftly from the root.
With each wax strip removal, dead skin cells from the stratum corneum slough off too. The wax doesn’t discriminate―it lifts off anything not anchored tightly to your body.
Minimal Pain, Maximum Results
In theory, waxing should only sting briefly. Hair follicle cells have less sensation than skin. The wax concentrates tension around each strand, not skin.
When done properly on skin that’s retinol-free *or* given adequate retinol rest, waxing removes hair cleanly without disturbing many skin cells. The aesthetician calibration is key. Seasoned pros base wax temperature and technique on your skin type.
**But if your stratum corneum is compromised, wax can grab onto way more than just hair.** This friction against thinned skin is exponentially more painful, red, and inflamed.
Horror Stories of Retinol and Waxing Collisions
Let’s explore what can go amiss when retinol and waxing combine forces unexpectedly. Many end up with skin trauma they didn’t anticipate.
“*I got my eyebrows waxed not thinking it would be an issue. The aesthetician left me bleeding under one eye with missing brows and half my eyelid ripped off.*” – Bart K.
“*After 4 days of using a new retinol product, I went to get my upper lip waxed as usual. The aesthetician had to stop halfway through because it became so painful. Parts of my skin got torn off and bled. Now I have scabs and might be left with scars.*” – Jess T.
Do you want to sport bloody brows or a blistering lip on your next Zoom call? Probably not! Let’s unpack why retinol + waxing can equate to yanking off skin.
Vulnerable Skin Layers Prone to Ripping
Remember how retinol accelerates new skin cell turnover? Those fresh layers develop underneath the thinned surface level. When you wax, the warm wax seeps into micro crevices of the stratum corneum. It uses your skin’s grip for leverage to tear out each hair.
If that grip holds onto fragile emerging skin, those tender cells shear apart from adhesive forces. The tighter the wax clings against thin skin, the deeper cells get wounded when the strip detaches abruptly. This can unleash pinpoint bleeding and skin tears.
How to Prevent Retinol and Waxing Injuries
You *can* have your retinol and wax too with thoughtful timing and care. Here’s how to bring these two treatments together safely.
Give Skin a Retinol Rest
As a general guideline, take a retinol hiatus **5 to 7 days** before waxing brow, lip, or facial hair. That pause lets cell turnover settle so the stratum corneum partially re-thickens.
OTC retinols around 0.25% to 1% concentration require the standard week off. But for stronger prescription retinoids, you may need 10 to 14 days of buffer time. Discuss an appropriate retinol holiday with your dermatologist beforehand.
And don’t try to “tough it out” if you’re still within a week of using even mild OTC retinol. Reschedule your waxing appointment no matter how coveted that slot is. Your skin will thank you.
Ask for a Patch Test
Before waxing someone on retinol, responsible aestheticians always do a patch test. They press a tiny bit of hard wax on your skin, let it dry, then rip it off. This evaluates skin resilience to determine ideal wax temperature and technique.
If the tester wax removes skin or causes bleeding, most reputable salons will refuse service. It’s simply not safe to wax that day. Plus, they want to avoid lawsuits!
Patch tests also assess if a gentler tactic like **threading** could work instead. This mechanical hair removal using cotton thread rarely impacts skin. No glue-like wax touches surfaces.
Adjust Waxing Method for Compromised Skin
Assuming patch testing indicates you can withstand some waxing, your aesthetician will take additional measures of care. This includes:
– Using low temperature hard wax less likely to remove skin
– Applying wax in thinner smoother layers
– Flicking the muslin strip loose quickly at the end, not yanking
– Checking in frequently about pain level
– Stopping immediately if skin looks damaged
– Applying soothing compresses afterwards
With their expertise in modified waxing technique for delicate skin, you’ll likely make it through the appointment just fine.
Wait Before Resuming Retinol Post-Waxing
Your final step is being patient again before restarting retinols after waxing. Keep treating skin gently for at least 24 hours afterward. No need to prod an already grumpy stratum corneum!
Once skin calms down with no visible redness, inflammation, orCuts should close up before retinol application too so you don’t sting open wounds.
Give both freshly waxed and freshly generated skin cells time to stabilize. Then you can douse them in your beloved anti-aging products without fear.
Don’t Risk Skin Trauma: Ask First, Wax Later
Now you know why retinol and waxing don’t always jive. But with extra planning, you can make them play nice. By learning to balance their timing and effects on your skin, you won’t have to sacrifice one for the other.
Next time you crave an intense **hair removal** session, have an open conversation with your aesthetician first. Tell them exactly which **retinoids** you use, including type, percentage, and last application date.
Armed with knowledge around skincare ingredients and their interactions, you’ll get the smooth sexy skin of your dreams without the burns, bleeding, or peel fails! Carefully coordinated **waxing** post-**retinol** lets you show off hair-free radiant skin confidently.