You have many jobs as a beautician, but the main one is to keep your clients happy and healthy. To do this, you should be aware of common issues that can occur and be ready to educate your clients about them.
Folliculitis is one such issue, but what is folliculitis? It’s a common and typically mild skin condition, but one we want to avoid. Discover how and why it occurs with Beauty Image USA and get tips on preventing folliculitis after waxing.
So, What is Folliculitis?
Folliculitis occurs when hair follicles become inflamed, potentially even red and painful. Bacteria, fungi, or ingrown hairs are typically the main causes, but shaving, waxing, acne, excessive sweating, and compromised immune systems can also increase the risk.
What Does Folliculitis Look Like?
Signs of folliculitis may include:
- Small red bumps or pimples around hair follicles
- Itching or burning sensation in the affected area
- Pus-filled blisters that may break open and crust over
- Swelling and tenderness around the follicles
- Darkening or hyperpigmentation of the skin in chronic cases
- Pain or discomfort when touching the affected area
- Hair loss or scarring in severe or prolonged cases
Keep these potential signs in mind so you can best care for your clients. While folliculitis does not always happen after waxing, it is more likely, which is why it’s important to take proper precautions to prevent folliculitis after waxing.
How Can You Prevent Folliculitis?
Now you know what folliculitis is. The next step is learning to reduce the risk of this condition. It’s an easy enough task, but it’s something you and your clients will need to work together to do. When you do, your clients will enjoy glowing, healthy skin and you will enjoy repeat business.
Want to reduce the risk of folliculitis after waxing? Help your client properly prepare for their next appointment.
How to Prepare
Give your client a successful wax by letting them know how to prepare in advance. Guide your clients through the process to minimize complications and prevent folliculitis.
Here’s how:
- Consultation: Begin with a thorough consultation and tailor the process to your client’s specific needs. This way you can address any concerns upfront, explain what folliculitis is and tell them how to prevent it. If it’s their first wax, tell them what they should know before their first wax.
- Skin Assessment: Check your client’s skin pre-wax for any existing inflammation or irritation. Postpone treatment if you find any issues to prevent worsening them.
- Hygiene: Sanitize all your waxing tools and wear disposable gloves. Keep a clean workspace for optimal hygiene during the procedure.
- Communicate: Establish open communication with your client, address their concerns, and provide clear aftercare instructions.
- Quality Products: Make sure you are using premium, salon-quality wax products designed to effectively remove hair and keep skin healthy.
Here’s how your client can prepare:
- Skin Care Routine: Encourage good skin care including: cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing.
- Hair Length: Keep hair the right length for waxing. Hair that’s too short or too long can cause issues.
- Avoid Irritants: Avoid using harsh skincare products 48 hours before the appointment.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water before waxing to prevent irritation and keep skin moisturized.
What to do During the Appointment
As the esthetician, here’s what you can do now that you know what folliculitis is. Start with a patch test on your client and avoid double-dipping to prevent wax contamination. Pull the wax strip quickly and parallel to the skin’s surface to reduce pain and follicle breakage. Be gentle to avoid micro-tears and infection. Soothe the skin after using a post-depilatory gel or cream.
Advise your client to relax during the appointment and encourage them to communicate if they feel any pain. Remind them not to touch the waxed area to reduce irritation and folliculitis. Encourage them to schedule regular appointments to maintain hair-free results and healthy skin.
Post-Care Tips
Aftercare is a critical part of preventing folliculitis and other skin issues. Proper post-care reduces inflammation, infections, and irritations. Estheticians can give essential tips to ensure skin health after waxing. Here are some tips to pass along to your clients after explaining what folliculitis is:
- Keep skin clean and dry.
- Don’t scratch or touch the area.
- Wear loose and breathable clothing.
- Stay hydrated by drinking water and moisturizing the skin.
- Avoid sun exposure—especially 48 hours after waxing. If your client has to go out in the sun, remind them to use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
- Wait 48 hours to exfoliate. Then, gently exfoliate 2-3 times a week.
- Encourage follow-up appointments. The first should be within 4-6 weeks. Routine appointments will keep skin healthy. Regular waxing reduces hair growth. Plus, it minimizes pesky skin conditions such as folliculitis after waxing.
How to Treat Folliculitis
Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to prevent folliculitis. If it happens, your client should consult a doctor. But you can help reassure them. Luckily, folliculitis usually resolves on its own. If it doesn’t, they can consider these tips to soothe their skin:
- Apply a warm, moist washcloth
- Use a nonprescription antibiotic or soothing lotion
- Keep the area clean and protected
Achieve Flawless Skin
Now that you know what folliculitis is and how to prevent folliculitis after waxing, you’re on your way to giving your clients flawless skin! Flawless skin needs proper skincare, hair removal, and high-quality products. Partner with Beauty Image USA for safe and effective hair removal solutions that prioritize skin health. You’ll soon be onto helping your clients achieve flawless skin! Just remember to prepare before, during, and after. And help your clients prepare, too. Keep them educated so they can recognize the signs of any skin issues that may occur.