Irritation after depilation: why it appears and how to remove it

The difference between depilation and hair removal

What is the difference between depilation and epilation? These terms are often confused even by those who have turned to both methods of removing unwanted body hair. The main difference between these two procedures is the effect on the hair follicle:

• Depilation – this is the removal of hair with or without a root, during the procedure the hair follicle is not damaged. /li>
• Epilation – this is the removal of hair with the root and the destruction of the hair follicle.

Hair depilation methods

Depilation is a routine procedure that most of us turn to one to several times a month. Its main advantage is the ability to remove unwanted hair on its own. There are the following hair removal methods:

• The easiest way to depilate – hair removal with a razor. Shaving is effective, but gives a short-term result: after a few days, stubble of new hair appears, and the skin ceases to be smooth. The rate of hair growth varies depending on the individual hormonal levels.
• The second easiest way to remove unwanted hair is tweezers. It is with its help that we correct the shape of the eyebrows and get rid of local vegetation in small areas of the skin.
• Epilator – a technological alternative to tweezers. It is an electric machine with many rotating tweezers that simultaneously remove several hairs from the root from a large area of ​​​​the body, for example, from the arms or legs. This method of depilation is not suitable for people with a low pain threshold and high skin sensitivity.
• Depilatory cream – Another way to make the skin smooth, but the result from it will also not last longer than a week. Such creams are applied to the skin, leaving for a few minutes (according to the instructions), then removed along with the hair. They act on the surface of the hair, destroying keratin with the help of special components in the composition.
• Thread depilation – Eastern technique of getting rid of unwanted vegetation with the help of nylon, silk or cotton thread. It is often used for depilation of hair in the facial area: from the upper lip, chin area, suitable for correcting the shape of the eyebrows.
• Wax and sugaring – classic methods of depilation in the salon. In just a few strokes, the specialist will remove unwanted hair from the skin using melted wax or depilatory sugar. This technique helps to keep the skin smooth for 2 to 4 weeks, suitable for removing hair from any part of the body: bikini area, face, arms, legs, armpits. With a regular procedure, the hair follicle becomes thinner, the hair grows longer, their structure changes – they become thinner, weaker, lighter.

Types of hair removal

By epilation is meant hardware methods of hair removal in order to destroy its follicle. This method guarantees a long-term result when undergoing a complex of procedures. The most popular methods of hair removal by a cosmetologist:

• Laser and photoepilation affects the follicle, destroying it with a light pulse. Under its influence, the hair becomes thinner and noticeably thinner.
• Electrolysis is a method of influencing the follicle with an electric current. This method is time-tested and helps to get rid of unwanted body hair, if not forever, then for a very long time. Of the minuses – the procedure takes a lot of time, since the electric current affects each hair separately.

Why does irritation appear after hair removal

An undesirable skin reaction after depilation may occur with the wrong hair removal technique, poor hygiene before and after the procedure, allergies to the components of the depilation product. Causes of skin irritation:

• In places where hair is removed with an epilator or tweezers, local redness (red dots) may appear, usually they disappear on the next day.
• In places where the follicle is exposed to electric current, microdamages remain, which are recommended to be taken care of with the help of disinfectants.
• When an infection is introduced into a microdamage to the skin in the area of ​​​​the follicle, inflammation with purulent contents may occur and folliculitis may begin.
• After photoepilation or laser, possible side effects are tissue swelling, burning, irritation and redness of the skin.
• Sometimes when using a dull razor or too hot wax / sugar, the protective layer of the epidermis is damaged, as a result of which dryness and flaking of the skin may appear.
• If you have hypersensitive skin, be careful with depilatory creams. Their formulas trigger a chemical reaction that can also damage the skin’s weakened protective barrier and cause redness, burning, and itching.

Effective treatments for irritated skin by La Roche-Posay

Pay attention to hypoallergenic products tested by dermatologists. Due to the pronounced restorative and soothing properties, Lipikar gamma products for very dry sensitive skin will help to care for the skin after depilation.¹ и Cicaplast² by La Roche-Posay. The products help to restore and strengthen the protective skin barrier, provide moisture, additionally soften and soothe the skin, restoring its feeling of comfort.

Formulated with 5% provitamin B5 (panthenol), madecassoside, mannose and La Roche-Posay thermal water, CICAPLAST B5 multi-repairing spray for children and adults has an immediate effect and quickly returns a feeling of comfort to irritated skin. The product soothes the skin, promotes balance, enhances natural defense mechanisms, softens and moisturizes.

Soothing multi-restorative balm CICAPLAST BAUME B5³ based on panthenol (5% composition), madecassoside, shea butter and antibacterial complex “Copper + Manganese + Zinc” has a noticeable regenerating effect. The product nourishes, softens, moisturizes and soothes sensitive skin. Suitable for irritated skin.

Milk for dry and very dry skin of babies, children and adults LIPIKAR LAIT restores the lipid barrier of dry skin thanks to a rich formula based on cold cream (a combination of protective lipids) enriched with shea butter (10% of the composition). La Roche-Posay thermal water in the composition helps to moisturize and restore sensitive skin, niacinamide helps to relieve irritation, provides the skin with long-lasting comfort.

How to avoid skin irritation after hair removal

• After shaving, use a moisturizing cream with additional soothing and revitalizing properties. It is good if you find in its composition panthenol (vitamin B5), allantoin, madecassoside, soothing plant extracts.
• After depilation with an epilator, wax or sugar, as well as electrolysis, on the contrary, it is recommended to refrain from moisturizing the skin in the first couple of days in order to prevent the site of hair removal from getting wet and infection developing in the follicle. On the third day, you can start using a moisturizing regenerating cream.
• To prevent the appearance of ingrown hairs, a couple of days before the procedure and 2-3 days after it, use a soft scrub to gently exfoliate (exfoliate) the skin.
• To maintain a comfortable skin condition after laser and photoepilation, follow the recommendations of the specialist who performed the procedure. To reduce possible discomfort, moisturizing, soothing and restorative products with a cooling effect may be required.
• To prevent infectious inflammation of the follicles (folliculitis), be sure to treat the skin with an antiseptic before and after the hair removal procedure.

What to do if there is irritation after depilation

• If skin irritation develops after shaving, apply a soothing and repairing cream suitable for use after shaving.
• If irritation occurs due to depilation with an electric epilator or wax depilation / sugaring, seek the advice of a specialist.
• In case of severe dryness and flaking of the skin, ultra-moisturizing formulas and emollients are suitable, which additionally soften the skin.

Lipikar – Lipikar Cicaplast – Cikaplast CICAPLAST BAUME B5 – Cicaplast Balm B5