Waxing is a great way to keep the area hair-free and smooth for summer, but the skin in this sensitive region can be vulnerable to bacteria and infection. It’s important to wait for 24 hours after waxing before engaging in sexual activity.
This is because the skin can still be irritated and inflamed from the waxing process. Sexual activity can introduce more bacteria into the traumatized follicles and cause infections like folliculitis.
24 Hours After Waxing
Directly after waxing the hair follicle is left open, which means germs can easily get into it. It’s important to avoid introducing anything else into this area (especially through your fingernails) for the first 24 hours. This includes avoiding hot baths, hot showers, hot tubs, and sweaty workouts.
In fact, it’s a good idea to skip the gym altogether and focus on your recovery for a few days after your appointment. This can help prevent irritation and ingrown hairs down there, plus it’ll give your pores a chance to reset.
Also, avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing on your freshly waxed bod to protect it from friction and excessive sweating. (This is also a general courtesy to your technician.)
Having sex too soon can cause complications that aren’t exactly desirable for anyone. Romper explains that waxing “traumas the skin and leaves the hair follicles with an opening, making them vulnerable to infection.” The added moisture from sex and sweat will only irritate the sensitive skin and make it harder for the follicles to heal. This can lead to folliculitis, which looks like red bumps and can be painful. It can also be a risk factor for some STDs, including genital warts and molluscum contagiosum. So, please heed the advice of your waxer and leave those intimate parts alone for a little while after your appointment.
48 Hours After Waxing
It’s not exactly fun getting a wax, but it’s certainly a necessity. When it comes to your vulva, there’s a lot that can go wrong if you don’t follow the proper post-wax care guidelines. In order to prevent nasty side effects like ingrown hairs, you’ll want to follow these simple rules.
For starters, it’s a good idea to avoid hot showers and baths for the first 24 hours after your wax. The heat can irritate your skin and cause redness. During this time, you’ll also want to steer clear of saunas, steam rooms, and going for a swim. It’s best to avoid all forms of heat because it can cause bacteria to enter your open follicles.
You’ll also want to keep your hands off of the area, and this includes the temptation to run your fingers down there (a big no-no). Running your fingers through the groin can introduce bacteria into the sensitive and vulnerable waxed area. It can also cause irritation and even an infection.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you’ll want to wait at least two days before having sex after your wax. Sexual intercourse can cause friction and chafing that can further irritate your vulva after a wax. Moreover, it can cause ingrown hairs since the force of the sex can rub against your sensitive skin.
72 Hours After Waxing
The skin needs time to regenerate after waxing, and getting too wet can complicate that process. Even a short shower can cause friction in the area, irritate the skin, and lead to infection.
The same goes for going to the beach or swimming pool. Salt water can irritate the skin and cause further bumps, while chlorine can damage the vulnerable hair follicles and increase your risk of infection. Similarly, working out can trigger sweating and friction on the sensitive skin of the vagina.
Having sex too soon after a wax can also cause complications. “Sex can rub bacteria into the traumatized, open pores of the vulva,” says MacGregor. This can lead to folliculitis, a condition that causes itchy red bumps. It can also make you more susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases, like HPV and molluscum contagiosum.
You should also avoid tight clothing, saunas, steam rooms, and tanning beds after a wax. These can cause intense sweating, which can clog the pores and lead to irritation in the waxed area. Instead, wear loose clothes and use a post-wax moisturizer with aloe vera to soothe the skin and reduce friction. It’s also a good idea to exfoliate your skin regularly, using a loofah or gentle scrub to prevent the buildup of dead skin cells that can trap oil and cause ingrown hairs.
1 Week After Waxing
When waxing your vulva, it’s important to take extra care of that delicate area. It can be prone to irritation, infection and even folliculitis, which is the buildup of hair in the skin’s pore. To reduce the risk, Hellmuth says to avoid exposing your vulva to hot temperatures (like saunas and hot tubs) for 24 hours after waxing. She also advises against using harsh soaps or scrubs on your bikini area. Instead, she recommends using an intimate wash that’s formulated for sensitive skin.
If you do experience symptoms like itching, sensitivity or inflammation after waxing, a topical hydrocortisone can help. She also suggests using cool compresses and avoiding tight clothing or friction-causing exercise for one to two weeks.
It’s also not a good idea to work out immediately before or after waxing, as sweat can increase the chances of an infection. Plus, Hellmuth warns that the salt in your sweat can irritate freshly-waxed skin. She also recommends avoiding cardio exercises that create a lot of friction on the skin, including running or cycling.
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