Eyebrows define our face and waxing is a popular way to shape and groom them. However, waxing can unintentionally cause eyebrow burns if not performed carefully. These burns over the sensitive skin of the eyebrows can be uncomfortable and slow to heal if proper treatment isn't provided.
In this article, we'll explore the most common causes of eyebrow wax burns and identify their symptoms. A step-by-step process for treating burns at home will also be covered. With diligent care, eyebrow skin can recover quickly from burns without issues like scarring.
Learning how to identify and handle burns is useful for several reasons. It can help minimise pain and speed up the healing process. Preventing complications ensures the eyebrows regain their normal appearance as soon as possible.
Table of Contents:- Part 1: What Causes Eyebrow Wax Burns?
- Part 2: First and Second-Degree Eyebrow Wax Burns
- Part 3: Common Symptoms and Signs of Eyebrow Wax Burns
- Part 4: Immediate Actions for Eyebrow Wax Burns
- Part 5: How to Treat Eyebrow Wax Burns
- Part 6: Do Eyebrow Wax Burn Marks Go Away?
- Part 7: How Long Does It Take For Skin To Heal After Eyebrow Wax？
Part 1: What Causes Eyebrow Wax Burns?
The number one reason eyebrow waxing can lead to burns is using wax that is too hot. Most professionals heat hard wax to 120-150°F, as this temperature effectively removes hair without risking burns. This range is warm enough to loosen hairs but not so hot that it damages the delicate skin of the eyebrows.
However, if the wax is heated above 150°F, even brief contact can cause burns. Just the fleeting touch of overly hot wax against eyebrow skin is enough to inflict injury. That's because this area is especially sensitive.
Hot wax
The most common cause is using wax that is too hot. Most estheticians heat the wax to around 120-150°F, warm enough to remove hair effectively while preventing burns. If the wax is heated higher than this range and applied to the skin, it can cause burning on contact due to the high temperature.
Friction
Unnecessary friction during the waxing process can also lead to eyebrow burns. Examples include pulling too tautly on the skin when applying or removing wax strips. Estheticians must also avoid excessively vigorous motions that strain the skin. Any rugging, yanking or jerky movements generate abnormal heat and friction, putting delicate eyebrow areas at higher risk of burning.
Condition of the skin
Waxing over hurt or wounded skin can also cause burns. Skin that's cut, scraped or already sore doesn't protect as well from things like hot wax. It's best to wait until the skin is all better before waxing. Hurt skin feels everything more and burns easier. Give yourself time to heal up before waxing your eyebrows. That way your skin can go back to being strong again first.
Part 2: First and Second-Degree Eyebrow Wax Burns
It's important to know if a burn from waxing is shallow or deeper. A first-degree burn only hurts the very top layer of skin. These feel better quicker, usually after a few days with aloe on it. A second-degree burn goes past the top layer into the lower skin too. It takes longer to stop hurting, maybe one to three weeks. Bubbles can form. Deeper burns need more attention like cleaning and bandages daily so it doesn't get infected or take forever to heal.
First-degree burn
- It affects only the outermost layer of skin (epidermis)
- It appears as red, painful skin
- May swell slightly
- Heals within a few days
Second-degree burn
- Extends slightly deeper to affect both the epidermis and upper dermis
- Appears as red, raised and painful skin
- Blisters often form filled with fluid
- Swelling is usually more significant
- Heals within 1-2 weeks as new skin cells regrow
The key signs that differentiate the two are the presence of blisters and the depth of skin involvement. 2nd degree eyebrow wax burn involving blisters and deeper layers of skin indicate more severe damage.
Part 3: Common Symptoms and Signs of Eyebrow Wax Burns
Being aware of typical symptoms and signs can help identify if an eyebrow wax burn has occurred:
Pain and Tenderness - Eyebrow skin usually feels excruciating and tender when touched at the burn site. This pain may persist for several days.
Redness - The skin will appear pink or red when burned. The redness intensifies the day after as swelling peaks.
Swelling - Mild swelling is joint with first-degree burns around the burnt area. More severe burns may cause significant puffiness.
Blistering - Small fluid-filled blisters often form with second-degree burns as the upper skin layers separate from deeper tissue.
Warmth - Placing a hand gently over the burnt eyebrow area may detect higher than average temperature due to inflammation.
Sensitivity to light touch - Even a soft touch can cause substantial stinging pain until healing is underway.
Being on the lookout for these classic post-waxing burn symptoms helps identify an issue promptly so it can receive appropriate skincare. With time and proper treatment, the symptoms will gradually subside as healing progresses.
Part 4: Immediate Actions for Eyebrow Wax Burns
Right away after it happens, work to cool down the burnt skin. Dip your eyebrows in a basin of cool (not cold) water for 20 minutes. The warmish temperature feels nicer than ice and helps stop more hurting from happening. You can also use a clean cloth or gauze pad soaked in cool water and press it real gentle on the eyebrows for at least 5 to 20 minutes. This lets the coolness calm down the painful skin. Cooling it off as fast as you can is super important cause it helps the burn heal better. Once the skin has chilled out a bit, then we can talk about what creams or stuff to put on it next to make it stop stinging and get better quick.
Part 5: How to Treat Eyebrow Wax Burns
Following these simple steps can help calm burned eyebrows, speed healing, and reduce the risk of complications or scarring.
Apply ice
Once the skin has had time in the cool water or with the cold cloth, it's a good idea to bring down any puffiness from the burn getting hurt. Wrap some ice in a very thin towel or cloth so it's not too rough. Then gently press that against your eyebrows for 5 to 10 minutes.
Leaving it on the full 10 minutes lets the coldness squeeze the tiny blood vessels under the skin. This helps shrink any puffy swelling from when it got burnt. Repeat putting ice on your eyebrows every few hours for the first whole day to keep taking down the hurt feeling and how far out the skin looks. Reducing swelling right after with careful icing can really help the burn calm down quicker so it won't be as sore or look as red and funny while it's healing up.
Apply aloe vera gel
For the next few days, gently rub some pure aloe vera gel onto the burnt skin several times a day. Just use your clean fingertips to spread a thin layer. Aloe has natural stuff that takes down swelling and redness so it's not as sore. It also helps the skin heal faster by encouraging new cells to build back better. Keep putting more aloe on whenever the area gets wet, like from a bath or shower, or if any dressings need changing. The aloe will soothe and support natural wound healing over the burn.
Concentrating on cooling off the skin right away, then icing to decrease puffiness, followed by aloe this whole first week, helps eyebrow wax burns feel better and on their way to fully healing up nicely.
Take pain medication
To feel better, try a regular store pain medicine with ibuprofen in it. Look at the box for how much to take based on your age and size. Ibuprofen is good because it helps bring down swelling fast. Less puffy skin means less stinging while it's trying to get fixed up again.
Taking the pain pill should numb the area so it bothers you less. Just be sure to only take what the directions say is okay. Listening to your body too - if you still feel lots of hurt, maybe ask a parent or doctor for other tips. Your comfort is important during healing.
Taking care of the burn right away, applying cold, using aloe and finding some pain relief can all help make eyebrow wax burn recovery less annoying. Feel better soon!
Change dressings
If fluid or clear liquid comes out of the burn spot, loosely cover it with a special non-sticky bandage or pad from the drugstore. These come clean and let wounds breathe better. Gently remove the old one being really careful of the hurt skin. Smooth some aloe gel over the area before putting on the new bandage.
Change the dressing once or twice a day, depending on how wet it gets. Keeping it covered helps it heal without the risk of germs getting in. Keep reapplying aloe under fresh bandages as it mends. Do this daily until all is better with no more fluid or scabbing left. The bandages protect against infection during recovery.
Taking good care of any ooze with aloe and bandage changes means the burn shouldn't take too long to heal up for good. Be patient and listen to your body.
Apply sun protection
While the skin repairs over the next 2-3 weeks, it's important to protect it from the sun. Use a lotion with minerals that has an SPF of 30 or more on your eyebrows each day. The sun can cause dark or light spots if the new skin isn't covered. Reapply the sunscreen as needed if outside for long, like if playing or working in the yard.
Shielding the healing area from UV rays will help it heal with an even color and no funny marks. Listen to your body and take breaks in the shade if it feels too warm. Being gentle with sun protection as new eyebrow skin forms back over the next couple of weeks helps avoid unwanted pigmentation issues down the line.
Part 6: Do Eyebrow Wax Burn Marks Go Away?
Most minor burns will fade over time with proper care. But wax burns can sometimes leave a faint mark for a while. Deeper burns are more likely to scar at first.
Lighter skin and sun exposure can make scars take longer to go away too. But don't worry - your skin can repair itself naturally. By keeping the area clean, moist with aloe, protected from the sun, and letting it rest, any burn marks should lighten up gradually. Following all the treatment steps maximizes healing so there's little to no scarring left behind eventually.
It may just take a bit more patience if it is a deeper burn. But as long as you give the skin room to regenerate new cells, the damaged skin will refresh fully in most cases.
Part 7: How Long Does It Take For Skin To Heal After Eyebrow Wax？
Wax burn marks and scarring fade over time with proper care. How long depends on burn severity. More superficial first-degree burns usually fade faster than deeper second-degree burns. Skin type can also affect fading time, with fair or sensitive skin taking slightly longer. Typical timeframes are 1-2 weeks for first-degree marks to fade fully, 2-4 weeks for second degree, and over a month for deeper burns. Most minor wax burn marks will gradually disappear if given time to heal.
Burn Severity: Deeper second-degree burns may leave marks longer than shallow first-degree burns. Scarring is also more likely to result from deeper burns.
Skin Type: Those with fair or sensitive skin prone to hyperpigmentation may see marks remain visible longer than others. The skin colour also sees marks fade more slowly.
Sun Exposure: Avoiding sun or tanning booths and using SPF daily will help marks fade sooner since UV rays can worsen pigmentation issues.
Proper Treatment: Religiously following the recommended burn treatment steps outlined above, including aloe and sun protection, supports optimal healing and reduces scarring/discolouration.
For minor first-degree eyebrow wax burns, visible signs like redness, scabbing or dark spots will typically fade within 2-4 weeks with consistent care. Deeper second-degree burns may take 4-8 weeks to fully heal with proper wound treatment. But in nearly all cases, with appropriate care, any burn marks will disappear completely over time, leaving no permanent scarring or discolouration behind.
Conclusion
Eyebrow wax burns are a common cosmetic issue. The good news is that any marks or discoloration will fade as the skin heals with the right first aid and ongoing aftercare. If time is given for the skin to regenerate new cells, lingering burn reminders will disappear without scarring. While eyebrow wax burns may cause temporary irritation, permanent skin changes can be avoided through appropriate treatment and care in the weeks after injury. With patience and diligence during healing, the skin's natural restorative abilities will return the eyebrows to their original appearance.
