Can I use retinol after hair removal?
If you wax or use an epilator regularly, you may not have thought about how harmful it can be to use wax with a retinol product. Retinol works on the outer surface of the skin, providing it with a range of benefits, among which
reducing signs of aging by eliminating hyperpigmentation and increasing collagen production.
The problem with using this powerful vitamin A on freshly waxed or hair-removed skin is irritation, redness, or an allergic reaction. Hair removal not only removes hair follicles, it also removes dead skin cells. In a way, hair removal is like another form of exfoliation, and using retinol on top can increase skin sensitivity and be downright painful.
Now that you know a little more about using retinol after hair removal, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of hair removal and retinol so that you can get the best results without the hair growth (get it?) and skin disasters.
If you’re still unsure about what exactly retinol does for your skin and how to incorporate it into your skincare routine, check out our dedicated blog post.
Can I use retinol after waxing?
This is not the case, simply because the skin’s increased sensitivity after waxing can cause severe irritation when combined with retinol.
As I mentioned before, applying retinol after hair removal may be too much for the skin, as the exfoliation caused by hair removal removes hair and skin cells, revealing fresher, finer skin cells, which leads to brighter, more radiant skin, but
it is possible to be allergic to retinol, even if it is already part of your daily routine.
The best way to use retinol for hair removal is to avoid retinol for seven nights before you start hair removal. After hair removal, switch to a serum rich in moisturizing ingredients such as hyaluronic acid within the next
72 hours. This gives the skin enough time to rebalance and strengthen itself in preparation for further retinol use.
What should I do after a retinol wax treatment?
Any type of waxing treatment will leave a certain amount of roughness on the skin, but in rare cases there may be only a slight burning sensation.
Hygiene and cleanliness are important, and you should avoid strong skincare formulas that you use on a daily basis. If you experience stinging or burning sensations, here are some tips to speed up the healing process.
Stop using retinol products 7 days before your scheduled waxing session. Before use, make sure your hands, skin, and equipment are clean. Use an antibiotic or antibacterial cream after waxing to prevent infection. Use a serum rich in hyaluronic acid for the next 3 days after hair removal.
Avoid using strong formulas, even if your skin can tolerate it. Wear sunscreen with an SPF of over 30 every day, even when it rains. Here are some basic tips for after waxing. However, everyone’s skin is different and reacts differently. So if you have any concerns, consult your doctor or dermatologist to clear your doubts. How long before hair removal must you avoid using retinol? For safety reasons, it is recommended to stop using retinol about 7 days before waxing to avoid the risk of redness or irritation. One misconception about retinol is that people often think it exfoliates the skin, but it actually speeds up the skin cell renewal cycle and pushes new skin cells to the surface. The problem with using retinol before hair removal is that when hair is removed, a thin layer of dead skin cells forms a protective layer over the fresh new cells to prevent minor skin burns. Without this protective layer, all kinds of irritation, redness, rashes, and minor superficial wounds can form on the skin. Can retinol be used before laser hair removal? No, it is best to avoid using retinol before laser hair removal, otherwise you will encounter similar problems as using retinol before waxing.
When fresh, new skin cells appear on the surface of the skin, you can be sure that the protective barrier is fully functioning. However, these new cells are fragile and need help to become stronger.
This ensures that the skin’s surface barrier is able to protect against free radicals, such as UV rays, pollution, and other environmental aggressors. When the skin barrier no longer contains the required amount of water and oil,
skin damage such as skin damage may occur. B. Signs of skin aging, such as more noticeable fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, and sagging skin, etc.
What should you not do before waxing? 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 avoid tanning beds to prevent your skin from becoming more sensitive. Also, you shouldn’t tan within 48 hours of waxing because this increases your risk of sunburn.
Don’t exfoliate within 48 hours before waxing to avoid irritation. Don’t use makeup or skincare products while waxing, or the wax won’t adhere to your skin.
Avoid saunas or steam rooms, and avoid hot showers. Don’t scratch your skin after waxing, no matter how tempting, because this increases the risk of infection.
Here are some of the most taboo things to do during the waxing process. However, remember that if you have any questions, no matter how big or small, it’s best to consult a trained professional or doctor.
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.