Skincare Case 105

The patient is a 35-year-old female with Fitzpatrick skin type 4 and dry skin. Her main concern is the presence of several bruising spots on her arms after undergoing a full arm waxing procedure with soft wax. The waxing room was reported to be warm, and the wax stuck to her skin, making it difficult for the esthetician to remove. She does not experience pain, itching, or discomfort at the bruising sites. Her home care routine involves using the same gel cleanser morning and evening, plus a toner and moisturizer on her hands a few times per day and on her face in the evening. She also uses a facial scrub on her face once a week. The findings show bruising spots on both arms, more prevalent on the right arm.

Causes

The bruising on the patient’s arms is likely related to the recent waxing procedure. Factors that may have contributed include:

1. Waxing technique: If the waxing is not done correctly, it can lead to bruising. This is especially true if the wax is applied or removed too harshly, or if the skin is not held taut enough during wax removal.
2. Wax temperature: If the wax was too hot, it could have caused skin irritation or damage, contributing to bruising.
3. Skin sensitivity: Some people’s skin is more prone to bruising than others.

What was Done Wrong

1. Waxing technique: The difficulty experienced in removing the wax indicates that the waxing technique was likely incorrect or inadequate.
2. Wax temperature: The waxing room’s warmth and the wax’s sticking to the skin suggest the wax might have been too warm, leading to increased adherence to the skin and subsequent bruising.
3. Pre-wax skin prep: It’s unclear if the skin was properly prepped before waxing, including ensuring the skin was clean, exfoliated, and free of oils or lotions.

Office and Home Treatment Options

Office treatment options may include:

1. Medical evaluation: Although the patient does not report pain, itching, or discomfort, she should have the area evaluated by a healthcare professional to ensure there’s no serious skin damage and to receive appropriate treatment recommendations.

Home care options may include:

1. Rest and elevation: Resting the arm and keeping it elevated can help reduce swelling and speed up the healing of the bruises.
2. Cold compress: Applying a cold compress to the bruised areas can help reduce inflammation and speed up healing.
3. Topical treatments: Over-the-counter topical creams containing arnica may help reduce bruising.

Prevention

1. Proper waxing technique: Ensure the esthetician is experienced and uses correct waxing techniques to minimize skin trauma.
2. Wax temperature: The wax and the room temperature should be monitored to ensure it’s at a safe and comfortable level.
3. Skin preparation: Cleanse and exfoliate the skin before waxing to remove oils and dead skin cells.

Home Care Daily Routine

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

Morning and Evening:

1. Cleanse the arms gently with a mild cleanser.
2. Apply a cold compress to the bruised areas for 10-15 minutes.
3. Apply a moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated.

Throughout the Day:

1. Apply an over-the-counter topical cream containing arnica to the bruised areas.
2. Rest and elevate the arm whenever possible.

Once the skin has healed, the patient can gradually reintroduce her usual skincare 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 precautions.