Skincare Case 116

Age: 37
Gender: Female
Fitzpatrick: 4
Skin type: Combination
Main concern: Bruising after a full leg soft waxing
History: After a full-leg soft wax hair removal two days ago, she developed bruising.
The waxing treatment room temperature was warmer than usual, and the esthetician had difficulty removing wax from the skin. She had to apply the cloth/muslin a few times on the wax and rub it vigorously to remove it from the skin.
Homecare routine: With the esthetician’s recommendation, the client uses aloe vera on the waxing site three times a day. She also used loose clothing recommended by the esthetician.
Findings: Several spots of bruising on the waxed site. There is a minor sensitivity but no pain or intolerable discomfort.

Skincare Exams Case 116
Case Discussion (Please click here)

The case involves a 37-year-old woman with Fitzpatrick skin type IV and combination skin type who has developed bruising on her legs after a full leg soft wax hair removal session. The waxing procedure was challenging due to the higher room temperature, causing the wax to adhere excessively to the skin. The esthetician had to apply and remove the waxing strip multiple times, causing trauma to the skin that resulted in bruising. The patient has been applying aloe vera and wearing loose clothing as per the esthetician’s recommendation.

Causes

Bruising after waxing typically results from damage to the small blood vessels (capillaries) under the skin, causing them to rupture and leak blood, which appears as a bruise. This can occur if the waxing process involves too much force or if the skin is not properly prepared. In this case, the warmer than usual room temperature might have made the wax stickier and harder to remove, leading to increased force being used during the wax removal, which subsequently led to bruising.

What was Done Wrong

  1. Waxing in a too-warm environment: The room temperature was too high, which can make wax stickier and harder to remove, increasing the chances of skin trauma.
  2. Excessive force and repeated application: The esthetician had to apply and remove the wax strip multiple times, which can increase the risk of skin damage and bruising.

Office and Home Treatment Options

Office treatments:

  1. In-office treatments for bruising are usually not required unless the bruising is severe or accompanied by other symptoms like severe pain or swelling.

Home treatments:

  1. Cold compress: Applying a cold compress to the area can help reduce swelling and constrict the blood vessels, which can help to minimize bruising.
  2. Topical arnica: Arnica is often used topically to reduce bruising.
  3. Elevation: If possible, elevating the legs can help reduce swelling and speed up healing.
  4. Continue using aloe vera: Aloe vera has soothing properties and can help to calm irritated skin.

Preventions

  1. Proper skin preparation: The skin should be clean and dry before waxing to ensure the wax adheres properly.
  2. Appropriate room temperature: A cooler room temperature can help prevent the wax from becoming too sticky.
  3. Correct wax application and removal: The wax should be applied and removed carefully to prevent skin trauma.
  4. Post-waxing care: Applying a soothing lotion or aloe vera gel after waxing can help calm the skin.

Home Care Daily Routine

Morning:

  1. Cleanse the skin gently with a mild cleanser.
  2. Apply a soothing cream or aloe vera.
  3. If the skin is not too sensitive, apply a gentle moisturizer.

Throughout the day:

  1. Apply arnica cream to the bruised areas to help reduce bruising.
  2. Keep the skin clean and avoid irritating the bruised areas.

Evening:

  1. Cleanse the skin gently with a mild cleanser.
  2. Apply aloe vera to soothe the skin.
  3. If the bruising is extensive, consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen.

If the bruising does not improve within a few days or worsens, the client should seek medical attention. Future waxing sessions should be performed with care to prevent similar occurrences.