I had a regular client in yesterday. Her hair grows very slowly so she only comes in every 4 months. She has a full leg, basic bikini and lip wax.

Today she came in and said her bikini line was really painful.

She showed me and the skin looked very red. It was not hot to the touch. There was no skin removed. No swelling, bumps, rash, etc. The skin looked completely smooth but just very red.

It was not red in strips, but had rounded edges.

I use tea tree creme wax. I'd been using the wax on the same temperature all day and it was fine. She has never reacted before and was really nice about it but just very uncomfortable. Her legs and lip were both fine.

I would have thought possibly a burn, but because there was no skin removed and the wax wasn't overly hot, i changed my mind.

Then i thought an allergy..but just in one area?

I gave her some of my afterwax lotion and recommended E45 cream and a visit to the GP.

Any advice you can give me will be gratefully received

Poor you, its terrible when things like this happen. You can however have a reaction in a more sensitive area and not in another but it doesn't sound like this is the case.

The thing you have to remember is you don't know what she done when she went home. You have to be very clever and ask what she done and let her speak. Don't ask 'did you have a hot shower' or anything like that as of course she will say no even if she did. It sound like she done something herself like wore tight jeans afterwards, tight underwear, tights? Anything that would cause friction will cause heat in the area!

And I'm sorry to be brunt but E45 would be the wrong thing to recommend as there's a huge percentage of lanolin in it which causes skin sensitivity. I would recommend pure aloe vera and just keep the area cool. If it's only red then it's just a matter of time before it goes down, and it will go down.

I hope this helps

Its so difficult isn't it! I have never met anyone with an allergy to wax, just some people have sensitive skin and they could have an allergy to a random ingredient.

With sensitive clients, I always apply Savlon or Sudocream after. x

Thanks so much for your replies. They've been very helpful and especially at making me feel like it's not something i've specifically done.

I've been bikini waxing for years and this knocked my confidence, i must admit.

I did tell her about Aloe vera and keeping the area as cool as possible. She said that her legs there were rubbing together, which wasn't helping. I thought E45 because it is used on burns, but thankyou for the info, i'll let her know straight away and tell her what products you have recommended.

She goes on holiday on Monday so fingers crossed it will all be gone down by then. I also told her to make sure she keeps the area well covered or is very attentive with the sunscreen while she is away.

Thanks again ladies xx

sudocrem is amazing stuff!! works every time with all sorts of things.kx

Lavender oil is the most amazing stuff for burns or soreness..pongs a bit though!!