Waxing nightmare

bluestarbaby

I just returned from the spa, where I had my underarms waxed.  I've had this done many times each summer and it typically doesn't hurt more than a slight pinch when the strip is ripped off.  This is the first time I've done it since being pregnant and HOLY HELL was it painful... still is an hour later. 

I just changed into my pj's and looked in the mirror - one of my underarms is bruised.  I've never seen anything like it.  Now I understand why she didn't want to pluck the few stray hairs that were left.  We leave for vacation in a few days, I'm really hoping it settles down by then.   I'm sooooo glad I opted out of the bikini wax. 

Has this happened to anyone else?

 

BronzeMama

Hasn't happened to me, but I've heard that getting a bikini wax during pregnancy hurts more than it usually does. That's enough to make me forego the wax. I'll just shave.

Jenniefer2008

I am a professional skincare therapist and doing waxing professionally as well.

Let me start by saying this... #1 Your skin is ultra sensitive during pregnancy and can do crazy freaky things. You can use a facewash or cream you've always used and suddenly have a reaction. The same goes for waxing I always warn my clients the very first time they get waxed of the potential side affects. When my clients come in who are pregnant I let them know each time that they can be more sensitive to the waxing process, not just sensitive pain wise because your senses are heightened during pregnancy... BUT your skin can react in different ways. You have a tendency to get more red, inflammed, ingrown hairs, and depending on the type of wax being used even tearing of the skin. Bruising may occur as well due to blood and the way it settles.

NOW with that being said all of those things depend on the type of wax being used as well as the professional performing the service. I highly highly highly recommend finding a spa that uses NuFree. It's a soy based wax, the technically don't even call it a wax. It is virtually painless. Grabs everything. It doesn't adhere to the skin, so it can not tear the skin (which can happen due to sensitivities or poor waxing), it can't harbor bacteria so the stick can be double dipped and there's no need to worry about germs or diseases being spread to the client. It also reduces redness and inflammation. Especially important during pregnancy. You can google NuFree and it will take you to their professional website and you can type in your zip code and find the closest spa near you that uses NuFree.   

Regarding the bruising.... if the therapist wasn't careful enough to hold the skin tight enough bruising is more apt to occur. Sometimes you can do everything the way you should and you may bruise. This unfortunately is a "normal" side affect. From personal experience during brazilian waxes specifically I've had a couple of clients who were super super tiny and bony and tended to bruise around the bony part of the pubic area... there was no way of avoiding this. It was just the way the area was shaped and the way the blood settles in that area? However, I've never seen this with the underarms. That area has more meat so that would be harder for that to happen. But still, nothing is "wrong" with this happening. If you've never been to this professional before ... I might try her again? and if it happens switch people. 

To help: try ice? and eat things that are high in riboflavins? I think that's what it is. Pineapple juice is high in that. It's supposed to help with people who bruise easy. Sometimes your body can be low on that and I think iron deals with bruising as well. I'm not sure on that.But in my experience the bruising should last maybe 2 days or so. 

Goodluck!

Sorry for the novel. I get really into this stuff.

bluestarbaby

Jenniefer2008:

Goodluck!

Sorry for the novel. I get really into this stuff.

Thanks so much for all the details.  I'm glad nothing is really wrong.  It definitely freaked me out when I saw the bruising.  The pain has subsided a bunch since I first posted.

amanda31H

Jenniefer2008:

I am a professional skincare therapist and doing waxing professionally as well.

Let me start by saying this... #1 Your skin is ultra sensitive during pregnancy and can do crazy freaky things. You can use a facewash or cream you've always used and suddenly have a reaction. The same goes for waxing I always warn my clients the very first time they get waxed of the potential side affects. When my clients come in who are pregnant I let them know each time that they can be more sensitive to the waxing process, not just sensitive pain wise because your senses are heightened during pregnancy... BUT your skin can react in different ways. You have a tendency to get more red, inflammed, ingrown hairs, and depending on the type of wax being used even tearing of the skin. Bruising may occur as well due to blood and the way it settles.

NOW with that being said all of those things depend on the type of wax being used as well as the professional performing the service. I highly highly highly recommend finding a spa that uses NuFree. It's a soy based wax, the technically don't even call it a wax. It is virtually painless. Grabs everything. It doesn't adhere to the skin, so it can not tear the skin (which can happen due to sensitivities or poor waxing), it can't harbor bacteria so the stick can be double dipped and there's no need to worry about germs or diseases being spread to the client. It also reduces redness and inflammation. Especially important during pregnancy. You can google NuFree and it will take you to their professional website and you can type in your zip code and find the closest spa near you that uses NuFree.   

Regarding the bruising.... if the therapist wasn't careful enough to hold the skin tight enough bruising is more apt to occur. Sometimes you can do everything the way you should and you may bruise. This unfortunately is a "normal" side affect. From personal experience during brazilian waxes specifically I've had a couple of clients who were super super tiny and bony and tended to bruise around the bony part of the pubic area... there was no way of avoiding this. It was just the way the area was shaped and the way the blood settles in that area? However, I've never seen this with the underarms. That area has more meat so that would be harder for that to happen. But still, nothing is "wrong" with this happening. If you've never been to this professional before ... I might try her again? and if it happens switch people. 

To help: try ice? and eat things that are high in riboflavins? I think that's what it is. Pineapple juice is high in that. It's supposed to help with people who bruise easy. Sometimes your body can be low on that and I think iron deals with bruising as well. I'm not sure on that.But in my experience the bruising should last maybe 2 days or so. 

Goodluck!

Sorry for the novel. I get really into this stuff.

I found your reply quite interesting!  What's the pricepoint on Nufree?  A lot more than a traditional wax?

SBmomma

Just last week I got waxed. I usually get the "back" area waxed since I won't dare try using a razor back there....omg...OUCH!!! It hurt soooo bad now that I'm prego. I might suck it up and do it once more before baby comes...it's all for my man because I could care less about it right now. 

CP0979

I got my underarms done once. I didn't bruise but I do remember it hurting like hell! At least just as much as bikini if not more! But it was nice not to have to shave all the time!

Jenniefer2008

The price point for NuFree should be about the same. At least in St. Louis. We charged $70+ for first time brazilian and after that it was $55 for maintenance. I would say that's pretty much the average rate around here. It is more expensive for a professional to buy though. A few hundred dollar difference. Yikes!