Can You Use Retinol After Epilation?
If you’re a regular waxer or use an epilator, chances are you may not have considered how waxing when using a retinol product can be a bad idea. Retinol works on the outer surface of the skin and provides several skin benefits, from reducing the signs of ageing, fading hyperpigmentation, and helping to boost collagen production. The snag in applying this potent form of vitamin A to a skin that has been freshly waxed or had some form of hair removal will cause irritation and flare-up in redness or allergic reaction. This is because with hair removal, you’re not only removing hair follicles but dead skin cells too. In a way hair removing acts like another form of exfoliation and using retinol on the top will increase sensitivity to the skin as well as being extremely painful.
Now that you have a little more understanding of using retinol after epilation, let’s dive in deeper to find out more about the dos and don’ts of hair removal and retinol to help you gain optimal results without any hair raising (get it?) skin disasters.
If you are still a little puzzled to what retinol actually does for the skin and how to introduce it to your skincare routine, check out our dedicated blog post.
Is it okay to use retinol after waxing?
Not really, only because of the skin’s increased sensitivity after waxing which when teamed with retinol can cause a lot of irritation. As I have already mentioned applying retinol after waxing can be too much for the skin as the exfoliation caused by waxing removes hair and skin cells revealing fresh, sensitive skin cells that will give the skin a brighter, glowing finish, but are too fragile for retinol to be applied, even if it’s already a well-established ingredient in your daily routine.
The best way of using retinol with waxing is to avoid applying retinol for seven nights before you plan to wax. Once you have performed your waxing switch to serums enriched in hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, for the next 72 hours. This will leave enough time for the skin to rebalance and strengthen ready for retinol application again.
What to do after waxing with retinol?
With any form of waxing comes some level of rawness left behind on the skin, but in some rare cases this can actually be a mild burn. It’s important to ensure that hygiene and cleanliness are followed, and you should hold off on any potent skincare formulations you already use in your daily routine. Here are some tips on how to speed up the healing process if you experience any rawness or burning.
Stop using retinol products 7 days before you plan to wax
Ensure your hands, skin and equipment are clean before use.
After waxing apply an antibiotic or antiseptic cream to ward off infection
Use a serum enriched in hyaluronic acid for the next 3 days after waxing
Hold off on using potent formulations, even if your skin has a tolerance for them
Always apply a daily sunscreen with a factor higher than 30 SPF every day, even when it’s raining.
There you have some of the basic tips to use after waxing, however everyone’s skin is different and can react differently so if you have any concerns, consult with a doctor or dermatologist to give you some peace of mind.
How long do I need to stop using retinol before waxing?
To be on the safe side, it advised to stop using retinol about 7 days before waxing to prevent any risk of flare-up in redness or irritation.
One misconception of retinol is that it’s often thought it exfoliates the skin, when in fact it increases the skin cell turnover cycle pushing the new skin cells to the surface. Here lays the problem in using retinol prior to waxing. When you wax, you need a small layer of dead skin cells forming a protective layer over the fresh, new cells to avoid mild skin burns. If that layer isn’t there, it can lead to all manner of irritation, redness, rashes, and minor surface wounds on the skin.
Can you use retinol before laser hair removal?
No, it’s best to avoid using retinol before laser hair removal as there would be a similar problem as using retinol before waxing.
When fresh, new skin cells reach the surface of the skin you can expect the protective barrier to be fully functioning. However, these new cells are fragile and require a helping hand to strengthen. This ensures the barrier on the skin surface can combat exposure to free radicals, such a UV rays, pollution, and other environmental aggressors. If the skin barrier is depleted of the essential water and oil levels it needs, you’ll find that damage to the skin can occur, such as signs of ageing, like fine line and wrinkles becoming more prominent, increased areas of hyperpigmentation and skin sagging to name just a few.
What should I not do before waxing my face?
Here are some things to avoid before waxing your face.
Don’t tan 24 to 48 hours before you plan to wax. Stay out of the sun and don’t go on a sun bed to avoid the skin becoming more sensitive. You should also avoid tanning 48 hours after waxing as this will increase the risk of sunburn.
Don’t exfoliate 48 hours before waxing to avoid any irritation.
Don’t wear any makeup or skincare products when you wax as this will prevent the wax from sticking on the skin.
Don’t go to any saunas or steam rooms and avoid hot showers.
Don’t scratch the skin after waxing, as tempting as this may be as this will increase the potential risk of infection.
There you have some of the main “don’ts” when it comes to waxing, don’t forget however that if you have any concerns, big or small, its best to consult with a trained or medical professional.
If you have any other skincare questions, come and follow us on Instagram, you’ll find me in the direct messages, I’ll see you there!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
