Skincare Case 103

This patient is a 28-year-old female with Fitzpatrick skin type 3. Her main concern is pain and ripped skin in her brow area following a brow waxing procedure. The procedure was reported to be painful and uncomfortable. She has used aloe vera and a cold compress on her brows as recommended by her esthetician and has avoided cleanser and any other products since the waxing. The skin has ripped off in some areas but without significant inflammation or excessive redness. The area is sensitive to touch and painful. 

This is a typical case of skin lifting as a result of waxing for hair removal. In the majority of such cases, the cause can be traced back to technical mistakes or errors made by the esthetician.

Causes

The pain and ripped skin are likely due to the brow waxing procedure. Waxing removes hair from the root and can be harsh on the skin, particularly in sensitive areas such as the face. Factors that can contribute to skin ripping include:

1. Skin sensitivity: Some people have more sensitive skin that can react more strongly to waxing.
2. Waxing technique: If the waxing is done incorrectly, it can lead to skin ripping. This can happen if the wax is applied or removed improperly, or if the skin isn’t held taut enough during wax removal.
3. Type of wax: Soft wax adheres to the skin more than hard wax, making it more likely to cause skin ripping.

What was Done Wrong

1. Waxing technique: If the esthetician used improper technique, this could have led to the skin damage.
2. Pre-wax skin prep: If the skin wasn’t properly prepped before waxing (e.g., ensuring the skin was clean and oil-free), this could have contributed to the adverse reaction.
3. Aftercare: While aloe vera and cold compresses can help soothe irritated skin, additional aftercare measures might be needed to prevent infection and promote healing.

Office and Home Treatment Options

Office treatment options may include:

1. Evaluation by a healthcare professional: The patient should have the area evaluated by a healthcare professional to ensure there’s no infection and to receive appropriate treatment recommendations.

Home care options may include:

1. Continue with aloe vera: Aloe vera has soothing and healing properties that can help with skin irritation.
2. Use a cold compress: This can help reduce pain and soothe the area.
3. Avoid makeup and skincare products: Until the area is healed, avoid applying makeup or skincare products to prevent irritation and potential infection.
4. Over-the-counter pain relief: Non-prescription pain relievers can help manage pain if necessary.

Prevention

1. Proper waxing technique: Ensure the esthetician is experienced and uses proper waxing techniques.
2. Skin preparation: Cleanse and exfoliate the skin before waxing to remove oil and dead skin cells.
3. Avoid waxing sensitive skin: If the skin is sensitive, consider alternative hair removal methods like threading or tweezing.
4. Aftercare: Follow the esthetician’s aftercare advice to promote healing and prevent infection.

Home Care Daily Routine

While the skin is healing, the daily routine could look like this:

Morning and Evening:

1. Cleanse the face, avoiding the brow area.
2. Apply aloe vera to the brow area to soothe and promote healing.
3. Apply a non-comedogenic moisturizer to the rest of the face.
4. Avoid applying makeup or other skincare products to the brow area.

Throughout the Day:

1. Apply a cold compress to the brow area as needed for pain relief.
2. Take over-the-counter pain relief if necessary.

Once the skin has healed, the patient can gradually reintroduce her usual skincare and makeup routine, being careful to avoid irritation. If she chooses to continue with waxing in the future, she should discuss her previous experience with the esthetician to take necessary