several weeks. Patience is key. If you do not see results
after only a couple of days of use,
please do not give up. It takes
time to clear the blockage.
Try: Exuviance Daily Acne
Peel exfoliating pads, which
are dermatologist grade and
combine 2% salicylic acid
with mandelic and benzelic
acids for maximum exfoliation. (neostrata.com, $35)
3. After I get a bikini wax, it feels itchy
and bumpy down there. Is this normal?
A histamine response to waxing is normal for 24 to
48 hours, even though your esthetician has (hopefully) applied an antiseptic to the region prior to waxing.
There are ways to help minimize the unpleasant redness
and itching the day after, though.
Andy Rouillard is the founder of Axiom Wax Academy and known as the “Wax Daddy” of the UK. His
post-waxing tips are used by esthetician across the
globe. His advice for helping to prevent irritation after bikini waxing:
•
Avoid hot baths, showers, trips to the
sauna or hot tubs for 48 hours.
• Wear loose fitting, comfotable clothes
to let the area breathe.
• Do not apply any body care products
with artificial fragrance, which may
trigger redness and irritation.
• Be sure to apply a soothing gel to the
waxed region up to three days following your treatment.
Try: GiGi After Wax Cooling Gel
contains cucumber and aloe vera to
soothe skin in the delicate bikini region. (sallybeauty.com, $8)
4. My face always looks
flushed. Now, there are pimples with pus in them. When I worry about
how it looks, the problem seems to get
worse. Is this acne?
Most likely, no. It sounds like Rosacea, a chronic
skin condition affecting more than 16 million Americans. Rosacea is a hereditary condition, and there is
nothing you did to cause it. Do you have the following
symptoms?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Visible blood vessels
Skin tends to flush easily and it often looks like
you’re blushing
Swelling of the eyelids and watery eyes
Soreness and itching of the skin
Bumpy and rough skin texture
Pus-filled pimples
•
Skin is almost always red and inflamed
Stress can worsen flushing and a heated sensation, as
can eating spicy foods, drinking wine, and using products with fragrance.
Sun exposure is considered the number one Rosacea
trigger, so protection is key. Wearing a broad spectrum
sunscreen will not only help to prevent a sunburn, but
it also will help prevent flushing and redness. Thirty
minutes before you head outdoors, be sure to apply
sunscreen to all exposed skin to help
minimize UV damage.
Be sure to talk with your esthetician,
as she can help select the best non-irritating products to use -- and remember
that this is something she sees on a regular basis.
Try: Ease redness with a mask with
aloe and willow bark like the Zenmed
Anti-Redness Mask. (zenmed.com,
$29.95)
5. The older I get, the more I
am noticing coarse, dark hairs
cropping up in places they don’t
belong. I get them on my chin,
a few on my belly - even on my
toes. What is going on?
It happens to all of us at one time or another -- an
errant hair we catch in the magnifying mirror.
You can thank your hormones for this. As we get
closer to menopause, testosterone levels are on the upswing, while estrogen levels are declining. This creates
the perfect storm for changes ranging from vaginal dryness and acne to pesky hairs.
This is not just a nuisance. It can truly
impact a woman’s self esteem.
It’s something estheticians
see day in and day out.
How to eliminate the
problem? At home IPL
or laser treatments are
worthy choices. You can
tweeze, try electrolysis,
or go to a laser spa. Waxing also
works for most. If the problem is serious, a prescription called Vaniqua is
another option commonly recommended
by dermatologists to minimize regrowth.
Try: Tria Laser (triabeauty.com,
$449) or the more budget-friendly
Silk’n Flash Go (silkn.com, $199)
Remember that you are not alone. If you have an embarrassing skincare question, chances are there are many
others with the same problem. Don’t be afraid to confide
in your esthetician. She’s there to help!
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