Queen Bee Salon & Spa has been in your business for 20+ years. As expert waxologists and estheticians, we have witnessed skincare issues that can appear “down there,” especially when proper care isn’t given. Fortunately, we are rather exemplary skin care specialists, and our dedication to exceptional service and education helps us help you.
The following are the top two issues that we witness daily at Queen Bee Salon & Spa in our waxing department.
- Ingrown Hairs – What you might think is an ingrown hair is often a clogged or irritated hair follicle, and you should distinguish between the two.
Possible causes of ingrown hairs:
- Sweat
- Friction
- Oily Skin
- Shaving
- A Bad Wax
- Lack of Exfoliation
- Specific forms of friction-based exercise, such as spinning, jogging, cycling, etc.
- Crossing Legs for long periods of time
- Regularly wearing tight clothing
- Obesity
- Coarse Curly Hair that can grow back in on itself
- Thicker skin where oil and dirt can linger at the top preventing hair from coming through
- Picking at the skin causes bacteria and scar tissue to grow
- Genetics, some people are just more predisposed to them.
How to avoid ingrown hairs:
- Exfoliate daily with our miracle ingrown hair pads “Buzz Off Bumps”.
- Don’t cross your legs so much. Squishing your bikini line together all day can irritate delicate skin tissue.
- Shave (downwards) with a good razor and wax only with an experienced waxer.
- Don’t use heavy creams and/or oils on your bikini line skin that are comedogenic.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing every day.
How to treat them:
- We are big acid fans, especially salicylic acid combined with glycolic acid. This power duo strips away dead skin and penetrates follicles to remove excess oil and debris. We always use Queen Bee’s Buzz Off Bumps in the treatment room and recommend you use it daily to prevent dead skin and oil buildup.
- Dry brush gently every day before you shower, and use a mild antibacterial wash while you shower.
- Try using soothing balms that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients. Look out for a new Queen Bee balm product coming soon!
2. Irritation from Sanitary Pads, Tampons, Condoms, Lubes, Feminine Wipes, Soaps, Body Washes, Spinning, etc.
Some years ago, the founder of Queen Bee, Jodi Shays, detected a trend in skin irritation in the labia and tush areas on many of her clients. In addition, she noticed the skin on these delicate areas appeared to be a different color and was extremely dry, almost as if this skin could peel off at any time.
Shays also noticed people had more tiny fissures inside their labia, bottom cheeks, and along the bikini line. Further, we have heard from other waxers that men were also experiencing this type of sensitized skin “down below .”
After talking to clients, it became apparent that they were all using products that were compromising the delicate barrier of this area. For example, soaps were not adequately rinsed from inside the vagina or underneath the scrotum, and many women wear panty liners every day (some feminine hygiene products are bleached). Also, the use of heavily scented “down there” washes containing synthetic ingredients was not helping. To get your skin back to a healthy barrier, Shays suggests avoiding the following:
- If you have to wear panty liners, apply a thin layer of diaper cream to your labia as a buffer between the skin and the pad. Or better yet, purchase a natural, unbleached brand.
- If you are using soaps in the bath or shower, ENSURE that you are rinsing the soap off your skin thoroughly. That means allowing water to run through the vagina, scrotum area, and inside of the butt cheeks. If left on the skin, soap will dry it out and, in some cases, cause hyperpigmentation and thinning of the skin.
- Ensure you keep sweat off of your genital area. Sweat can gather underneath your belly and in tiny crevices. Moisture left on the skin can break the skin’s barrier down and cause small fissures, so keep that area dry at all times, specifically under the belly and bikini line.
