🛑 Stop the Burn! Why Your Retinol and Waxing Are Not Friends
Hi friends! It’s Emma, your favorite esti fairy popping in with a message on waxing and actives. In this important blog post, I'm going over why you need to put the breaks on your favorite exfoliators up to a week before your wax appointment.
We are obsessed with helping you achieve your glowiest, smoothest skin possible. That's why we need to talk about a crucial step often missed in pre-wax prep: pausing your active skincare ingredients.
If you want to avoid uncomfortable skin lifting, scabbing, and annoying dark spots (hyperpigmentation), you need to get familiar with our golden rule: Always discontinue your retinols and other actives 2–7 days before your wax.
Understanding the Actives: Why They Make Your Skin Vulnerable
You love your actives—your retinoids (retinol, tretinoin), your AHAs (glycolic, lactic), and your BHAs (salicylic acid). And you should! They are true miracle workers for anti-aging and acne control.
Here is how they work: these products are constantly performing a form of chemical exfoliation by accelerating your cell turnover rate. They make your skin shed old cells faster, revealing the fresh, new skin underneath. This is how you get that bright, clear complexion.
Now, consider the wax: Waxing is a powerful form of physical exfoliation.
When you combine constant chemical exfoliation from your serums with the intense physical exfoliation of the wax, your skin is left incredibly thin and vulnerable. Applying wax to sensitized skin is a recipe for disaster. The result is often skin tearing (sometimes called "skin lifting"), which can lead to painful scabbing and long-term post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (those lingering dark spots). This doesn’t only occur on the brows, but anywhere on the face when waxed.
Stock Photo used for Illustrative Purposes only, does not depict a Dahlia Beauty Bar Client
The Golden Rule: Your Pre-Wax Pause Schedule
Because every skin type and product is different, the break time varies. Use this guide to determine your personal pause:
Your Routine & Skin Type Recommended Pause Before Wax:
Mild Exfoliant (e.g., a low-percentage over-the-counter retinol) & Resilient Skin: 2–4 days before your waxing appointment.
Strong Prescription Exfoliant (e.g., Tretinoin/Retin-A) & Sensitive Skin: 5–7 days days before your waxing appointment.
It's okay if this rule slips your mind sometimes—we get it! However, please be aware that if your service provider sees any signs of skin thinning or irritation, we may have to switch your scheduled wax to a threading appointment to protect you from damage. We won't compromise your skin's health!
Emergency Kit: Introducing Our Magic Molecules Spray
Did you accidentally forget that new serum, or did you experience a little bit of unexpected pulling or irritation during your appointment? Don't panic! We highly recommend keeping our Magic Molecules Hypochlorous Acid Spray on hand.
Meet your new daily skin spray. 100% clean, non-toxic, all-natural, vegan, and pet safe.
This product is a gentle powerhouse. Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) is a naturally occurring compound your own immune system uses to heal and protect the body. When you spray it on irritated skin, it works to:
Soothe and calm inflammation.
Rapidly aid healing of minor burns or areas of skin lifting.
Act as a safe, effective, and non-stinging topical skin recovery solution.
It truly helps to reset the skin and speed up the healing process!
💡 Don't Forget to Tell Us About Your Meds!
While we ask about your skincare routine every time you come in, please make it a habit to inform your service provider of ANY new skincare products or medications you have started taking or using.
Many common medications—including certain oral antibiotics and prescription acne treatments—are a contraindication (meaning they make waxing extremely unsafe) and can cause severe skin damage.
Here is a list of common antibiotics and medications that may cause skin sensitivity that are contraindicated for waxing:
Any products containing retinol, retinoic acid, or adapalene
Any Oral Acne Medications: Accutane (isotretinoin) – waxing should be avoided completely for at least 6–12 months after stopping
Antibiotics: skin can remain sensitive for up to a week after finishing.
Sulfa Drugs (e.g., Bactrim, Septra)
Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil)
Certain Birth Control Pills
Certain Anti-Depressants (e.g., Doxepin, Amitriptyline)
Blood thinners (e.g., Coumadin, Warfarin, Aspirin)
Steroids (prednisone, cortisone creams)
Chemotherapy or radiation treatments
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) & beta hydroxy acids (BHAs)
Benzoyl peroxide products
Chemical peels or microdermabrasion (within the last 7 days)
If you are ever unsure whether a product you are using is contraindicated for waxing, please reach out to your service provider and we will be more than happy to guide you to the service that will be safest for you and your skin.
A simple heads-up prevents a painful situation. Stay diligent, stay smooth, and happy waxing!
Thank you for reading, we hope to see you soon!
