Threading is considered the best alternative to waxing and tweezing, and it is very gentle on your skin. Yet, those with sensitive skin may experience a little redness after a treatment that should not last long. If you experience a discomfort, it is advisable to apply a cold compress over the treated area followed by toner or cooling gel that contains aloe Vera or witch hazel.
Those with extra sensitive or rosacea-prone skin should follow the tips below to avoid soreness, skin irritation or breakouts (which are very rare!) after a full face threading :
Activities to avoid:
The hairs from the face are removed from the follicle, leaving the pores on the skin open for at least 2 to 3 hours.
- Avoid touching the treated area for 2-4 hours.
- No make-up or perfumed products should be applied for 2-4 hours.
- Avoid steam treatment or heat source like sun bathing / tanning beds, hot baths or sauna for at least 24 hours.
- Avoid swimming or spray tanning 24-48 hours post threading.
General Care:
- Gently wash the treated area with anti-bacterial face wash.
- Choose a toner with witch hazel, whose catechol tannins help reduce the size of pores and push out dirt. Or choose a toner with salicylic acid, which not only breaks down the oil in the clogged hair follicle, but helps kill the bacteria.
- You may use other helpful ingredients such as Neosporin cream, tea tree oil or anti-inflammatories such as chamomile, aloe vera and allantoin.
What to do if you experience a break out:
- Apply a hydrocortisone cream to help relieve swelling and itching.
- Refrain from squeezing the pimples. This can lead to infection or spread the bacteria to other areas of your face.
- Visit a board-certified dermatologist if the pimples get bigger or don’t go away. You may need a prescription-strength antibiotic or topical cream.