When you tear out hair and pull at your skin with wax, there’s a chance you will wind up with some irritation. “Some people are red for a few minutes, some are red for 12 hours,” says Grochowska. “If you’ve never been waxed before or you’re trying a new place or type of wax, it’s best to err on the side of caution and give yourself plenty of time to recuperate.”
Most of the time, you just have to wait it out, but there are ways to help speed up the process. “Most people respond well to aloe gel,” says Grochowska. Dr. Imahiyerobo-Ip also advises using a little over-the-counter hydrocortisone to soothe the skin. Just to be safe, if you’ve got a big event to go to and want to prep your brows or lip, schedule your wax a few days beforehand to ensure any redness goes down.