Waxing & Medication

Waxing & Medication

Medical conditions, prescribed medication and lifestyle all have the potential to effect your skin and you could experience unpleasant side effects to waxing or they might preclude you from being waxed. 

Please read the following carefully and if any doubt, contact your medical practitioner for his/her advice and remember to advise your therapist of any medication you are taking when you book your appointment as you may be contra-indicated.

You should avoid waxing while on antibiotics - both oral and topical. There is a chance of skin sensitivity while taking the medication, and skin may "lift" causing excessive skin to come off and the waxed area to scab over.    Antibiotics typically used to treat acne are Tetracycline, Erythromycin, Minocycline, Doxycycline and Clindamycin. 
 
Please note this list of antibiotics is not exhaustive and you should refer to your medical practitioner for advice prior to waxing and keep your therapist informed.

Users of topical prescriptions such as Retin A, Renova or Differin acne medication cannot receive facial waxing. These medications are designed to exfoliate the skin and may also weaken the skin, which could result in injury to the skin when waxed. 

Waxing is not recommended if you are currently taking prescription Accutane or have taken the prescription Accutane within the last two years – please refer to your medical practitioner.

The following medications may also cause increased skin sensitivity and could result in an adverse reaction to waxing: Antihistamines, Cortisone, blood pressure medication, blood thinning medication, and thyroid medication.
 
If you are receiving treatment for cancer related illnesses such as chemotherapy or radiation treatment. 
 
If you take blood thinners, have diabetes, phlebitis or want post- cancer hair growth in side-burn area removed. These all relate to medical conditions, so first get your doctor's approval before waxing.
 
Menstruation does not prevent you from waxing, however, your skin may be more sensitive.
 
If you smoke or have Rosacea, waxing can irritate dilated capillaries (weak or broken blood vessels) which are commonly found on people with Rosacea and smokers.  If the capillaries are very red, stay away from waxing in that area.
 
Stimulants such as caffeine or alcohol in your system can cause skin to be extra sensitive to waxing, meaning you could get more red or inflamed than usual.  Give yourself a couple hours after drinking coffee or alcohol before getting waxed.
 
You might be affected if you use powerful exfoliators on your skin.  Salicylic acid (found in some toners or skin clarifyers), alpha-hydroxy acid, white willow bark, white willow bark extract and enzymes all strip cells from the skin.  It's all too much exfoliation combined with waxing, and could make skin red, bleed or even scab over, so stop using these products in the area getting waxed for at least three days before, and three to four days after waxing. (Depending on the strength of the product and the type of skin you have, the safe wax wait time may be much longer before and after.  If the alpha-hydroxy is over 8% then you may have to wait months before safely getting waxed.)


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