Guess what this woman is talking about: “It took me months to recover physically and emotionally from the whole ordeala steep price to pay for a little vanity.” No, it’s not plastic surgery, indoor tanning, or any of the usual unhealthy practices women risk in the name of vanity. This woman is talking about a bikini wax.
According to Woman’s Health, within 24 hours of getting a bikini wax at a reputable NYC salon, the young woman caught a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection called cellulitis. One doctor told her she was lucky she didn’t lose her leg. But from a bikini wax? Believe it or not, her experience wasn’t unique. New Jersey nearly banned Brazilian bikini waves last month after two women landed in the hospital because of such infections.
What makes them so dangerous? Waxing literally strips away that protective layer, even pulling off tiny pieces of the skin’s outermost layer. This creates a portal through which bacteria can enter the body, setting the stage for skin infections, folliculitis, and ingrown hairs. Ouch!
People with diabetes, chronic kidney or liver disease, skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, or weakened immune systems should avoid waxing altogether. For the rest of us, here are a few tips to wax as safely as possible:
1. Choose a facility carefully. Don’t go by price alone. Get referrals, make sure the place is licensed by the state, and stop by and check out the facility yourself to make sure its clean.
2. Ask about the wax. Hard wax is safer and gentler on the skin than speed wax. Sugaring is an all natural method that’s also easier on the skin.
3. Make sure it’s hygienic. The practitioner should always apply hand sanitizer or scrub up before hand. And make sure they aren’t double dipping into the wax – this just transfers bacteria into the pot. Speak up if you don’t see them using brand-new spatulas with each swipe to your skin.
4. Prevent irritation. Apply an over-the-counter topical antibiotic cream and an anti-inflammatory 1% hydrocortisone cream to the area for 3 or 4 days following the wax to help warm off potential infection.
5. Don’t ignore signs of infection. Call a doctor right away if you see any redness or swelling in the area, itching or burning, peeling of the skin or even a fever.
