Many women live with sensitive skin all their lives. This type of skin can impact dozens of day-to-day decisions, ranging from which fabrics to wear, to what kind of shower gel to choose. The same goes for choosing the right hair removal method. If you have sensitive skin, you may be worried about after-use reactions such as itching or redness, which are more prevalent in sensitive skin types.[1] But the good news is that there are actually many options of hair removal that are formulated keeping sensitive skin in mind. Here are some tips that might help with your decision.

Sensitive Areas

Certain areas of the body are more sensitive than others, though the sensation of sensitivity is different for every individual. For instance, the skin on your bikini line, underarms, and face can be more sensitive than other areas such as the back or legs.[2] The good news is that Veet has a wide selection of waxes and creams which are specifically designed for sensitive areas. These contain natural ingredients, such as Aloe Vera, which are known to soothe the irritation sometimes occurring with sensitive skin. The Veet Face Wax Strips and Care kit even contain a specially designed applicator to focus on smaller areas, making it easier to wax, without having to tackle the same area of skin more than once.

Hair Removal Tips

A small amount of sensitivity is expected when removing unwanted hair. But with any method, there are certain steps you can take to minimise this sensitivity. Before waxing, for instance, it’s important to make sure the skin is both clean and dry. This lessens the skin’s exposure to any possible bacteria, and gives the wax better access to the hairs, avoiding excessive pulling on the skin[3]. After removing hair from your bikini line or underarms, it’s a good idea to avoid synthetic fabrics to allow your skin to breathe.[4] If you follow your hair removal routine by moisturising, it’s also good to stick to neutral products with fewer perfumes and colourings, which can be harmful to sensitive skin.[5]

Managing Sensitive Skin

Hair removal aside, there are many steps you can take to manage your sensitive skin, which makes it that much easier to look your best. Physical exercise is fantastic for your health and wellbeing, but sweating and chafing usually comes with the territory. It’s good to stick to loose fitting clothing during exercise, and to wash thoroughly afterwards to lessen the skin’s contact with bacteria[6]. Sensitive skin can also be effected by exposure to heat.[7] Taking long hot showers and baths can leave the skin dehydrated and more prone to dryness, so it’s a good idea to keep these to a minimum. Any abrasive activity can be likely to irritate sensitive skin. For instance, after a shower or swimming, you might want to avoid using coarse towels, and try patting dry instead of rubbing[8].

Sensitive skin is a very common complaint with men and women alike, but it needn’t get in the way of looking and feeling your best. Though it might require a little extra care, you could be flaunting smooth, hairless skin in no time.

[1] https://www.senseofskin.com/definition-causes.html

[2] https://www.livestrong.com/article/264971-how-to-remove-hair-from-sensitive-places-on-a-womans-body/

[3] https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/moisturizing/basics/prepare-skin-for-waxing.htm

[4] https://www.webmd.com/beauty/skin/sensitive-skin-20-questions

[5] https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/cleansing/tips/10-tips-for-cleansing-sensitive-skin.htm#page=6

[6] https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/avoid-post-gym-breakouts 

[7] https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/cleansing/tips/10-tips-for-cleansing-sensitive-skin.htm#page=10

[8] https://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/cleansing/tips/10-tips-for-cleansing-sensitive-skin.htm#page=10