To Workout or Not to Workout: Exercising After a Brazilian Wax

Post-Brazilian wax, discover safe exercise timing, skin care tips, and how to prevent irritation and ingrown hairs.

Introduction

A Brazilian wax is a hair removal procedure that removes most or all pubic hair from the front and back of the bikini area. It gained popularity in the 1990s as bikinis became skimpier and the removal of pubic hair became more common.

The purpose of a Brazilian wax is to achieve a clean, hairless bikini area for aesthetic reasons or personal preference. It leaves only a thin strip of hair known as a landing strip or removes all hair entirely. The procedure can be done at spas, salons or aesthetician offices by a trained professional.

The name Brazilian wax refers to the country Brazil where this type of more complete bikini wax originated compared to the basic bikini wax. Even as going fully bare has become more widespread, the name Brazilian wax has stuck.

Recovery Time

The recovery time after a Brazilian wax can vary quite a bit from person to person. Here are some of the key factors that can affect how long it takes your skin to heal:

• Pain tolerance – Those with a higher pain tolerance may feel ready to workout sooner than those who are more sensitive. The waxing process causes inflammation and irritation, so if you’re very sore, you’ll want to wait longer.
• Skin sensitivity – If you have sensitive skin that’s prone to irritation, redness and ingrown hairs, you may need to wait longer before working out than someone with tougher skin. The friction and sweat can aggravate sensitive areas.
• Expertise of waxer – The technique and expertise of your waxer matters. If the wax was removed properly and your skin wasn’t damaged too much, your recovery may be quicker than if the waxing caused a lot of irritation.
• Medications – Any medications you’re taking, such as antibiotics, can make your skin more sun-sensitive and prone to irritation. Discuss this with your waxer.
• History – If it’s your first Brazilian wax, plan to take more recovery time than if you’ve been getting them done regularly. Your skin and pain tolerance may need to adjust.

The typical recovery time ranges from 24-48 hours for most people. However, listen to your body above all else. If you’re still sore after 48 hours, give yourself another day or two before working out. It’s better to wait until you’ve fully healed than risk aggravating the waxed areas.

Exercise Increases Inflammation

Getting a Brazilian wax removes hair from sensitive skin, which can cause inflammation and irritation. Exercising right after can make this inflammation worse.

When you exercise, your heart rate increases and more blood circulates through your body. This delivers oxygen and nutrients to your muscles, which helps them perform at higher intensities.

However, this increased blood flow also brings more white blood cells and inflammatory markers to the irritated area on your skin. This kicks your immune system into high gear, making inflammation and redness even worse.

Intense exercise also causes tiny microtears in your muscle fibers. Your body responds by sending more nutrients and inflammatory chemicals to the area to repair and strengthen the muscles. This compounds the inflammation already happening on your freshly waxed skin.

It’s best to avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24-48 hours after waxing to allow your skin to heal. Low impact exercise or light cardio is okay, but high intensity workouts that raise your heart rate and blood flow should be avoided.

Sweat and Moisture Can Irritate Skin

Getting sweaty during a workout can be problematic after a Brazilian wax. The moisture and friction from sweat can cause irritation, inflammation, and discomfort on freshly waxed skin.

When you sweat during exercise, the sweat gets trapped against your skin by your workout clothes. This damp, humid environment is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. The bacteria combined with the micro-abrasions on your skin from waxing can lead to infection if you’re not careful.

Sweat also contains salt and other minerals that can sting if they get into open pores or hair follicles. This can really amplify any post-waxing irritation. The discomfort is likely to distract you from your workout and cut it short.

Some people also experience heat rash or sweat bumps after a Brazilian wax. Working out right after can exacerbate this unsightly body acne. The bumps are caused by sweat glands getting blocked and inflamed. Excessive sweating during exercise creates the perfect conditions for this to happen.

It’s best to avoid getting overheated, red-faced, and drenched in sweat during your first workout after a Brazilian wax. Opt for lower intensity exercise that won’t cause profuse sweating. This gives your skin time to recover and lowers the risk of irritation. Wait until later in the post-wax healing process before ramping up to intense cardio or HIIT sessions.

Friction From Clothes

Exercise clothes can rub and chafe sensitive skin after a Brazilian wax. Tight workout leggings, shorts, or tops can cause irritation over freshly waxed areas. The friction against delicate skin that was recently waxed can lead to inflammation, redness, bumps, ingrown hairs, and general discomfort. It’s best to avoid form-fitting spandex workout wear until your skin has had time to heal.

Loose, breathable fabrics like cotton are gentler options if you choose to exercise shortly after a Brazilian wax. Avoid rough seams over sensitive areas. You may want to skip underwear altogether to prevent anything rubbing against freshly waxed skin. Listen to your body and stop exercising if clothes cause stinging or irritation. After a Brazilian wax, it’s ideal to wait at least 24-48 hours before wearing tight workout clothes to avoid friction issues. Give your skin time to recover before any high intensity exercise where clothes could chafe and exacerbate irritation.

Wait 24-48 Hours

Experts recommend waiting 1-2 days before working out after getting a Brazilian wax. This allows time for the skin in the bikini area to heal and recover from the irritation and inflammation caused by the waxing.

Rushing back into exercise too soon can disrupt the healing process and cause additional discomfort. The skin is particularly sensitive immediately after waxing. Friction from tight workout clothes and sweat can further aggravate the area.

Waiting 24-48 hours gives the skin time to rebuild its protective outer layer. The follicles have been pulled out from the root during waxing, leaving the skin raw and vulnerable. It takes a day or two for the pores to close up. This helps prevent bacteria from entering and reduces the chances of infection.

The bikini area also tends to be more tender and swollen right after waxing. Intense exercise can worsen inflammation by increasing blood flow to the area. Keeping activity light will limit inflammation during the initial healing stage.

While it’s best to avoid strenuous workouts that involve a lot of movement, sweating, or wearing tight-fitting athletic apparel, gentle activities like walking, stretching, or light yoga after 24 hours are generally fine. But be sure to listen to your body and don’t push it too soon. The skin needs time to recover. Rushing back into intense exercise can lead to irritation, breakouts, and ingrown hairs.

Low Impact Exercise

After a Brazilian wax, it’s best to avoid strenuous exercise that can cause a lot of sweating, friction, and inflammation. However, some light exercise may be ok after 24-48 hours if you listen to your body and avoid irritation.

Some examples of low impact exercise that may be fine include:

• Going for a gentle walk. Walking helps boost circulation which can promote healing, just be sure to wear loose, breathable clothing.
• Light yoga or stretching. Gentle flows and stretches that don’t put pressure on the treated area may help the body recover. Avoid poses like crunches that involve friction.
• Low impact cardio like the elliptical machine. Choose a low resistance and make sure your workout clothes don’t rub.

The key is choosing low intensity exercise where you won’t sweat excessively or experience friction on the treated area. Give your skin time to heal before resuming intense training. Always stop if you feel stinging or irritation. It’s better to take a couple days off from working out than to disrupt the healing process. Listen to what your body needs and take it easy until you feel ready.

Avoid High Intensity

After getting a Brazilian wax, it’s best to avoid high intensity workouts that can cause excessive sweating, friction, and inflammation. High intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts, running, swimming laps, and other vigorous cardio exercises can be too harsh on freshly waxed skin.

The repetitive motions involved in these intense workouts create friction that can irritate and inflame hair follicles and skin. Additionally, the increased sweating from high intensity exercise can further aggravate sensitive skin that was just waxed. The heat and moisture get trapped against the skin, making it more prone to irritation.

It’s better to stick to low impact, low sweat workouts in the 24-48 hours following your Brazilian wax. Go for a leisurely walk, do some gentle yoga or pilates, lift weights or use resistance bands. Listen to your body and avoid movements that cause discomfort on your freshly waxed skin. Give your skin a couple days to heal before returning to intense training.

Listen To Your Body

After getting a Brazilian wax, it’s important to listen to your body and not push yourself too hard with exercise if you’re feeling discomfort or irritation. The skin in the bikini area is extremely sensitive after waxing, so you want to let it heal properly before doing any intense physical activity.

Don’t exercise if the skin feels irritated or painful. This is a sign that the follicles are still inflamed from the waxing treatment. Working out will only aggravate the irritation. Give your skin more time to recover if you are experiencing tenderness, rawness, burning or itching. Forcing exercise too soon can disrupt the healing process.

It’s best to avoid exercises like running, cycling, aerobics or weight lifting that cause a lot of friction, sweating and movement in the groin area. The bikini skin needs time to rebuild its protective outer layer after the wax removed it. Vigorous exercise can delay this and may lead to ingrown hairs, bumps or infection. Go very gently until the skin feels back to normal.

Listen to what your body is telling you. If exercise causes stinging, swelling or discomfort, stop and take more time off. Don’t risk injuring the delicate skin or follicles. It’s better to wait an extra day or two than cause damage by overdoing activity too soon. Give your bikini area time to fully recover before resuming your normal workout routine.

Aftercare

After getting a Brazilian wax, it’s important to care for your skin properly to avoid ingrown hairs and other irritation. Here are some tips:

Exfoliate regularly. Gently exfoliating with a washcloth, loofah, or exfoliating gloves helps remove dead skin cells and allows new hairs to grow through the skin normally. Avoid harsh scrubs which can cause irritation. Exfoliate every 2-3 days for the first week.

Use tendskin or witch hazel. Applying tendskin or witch hazel to the area after waxing can help prevent ingrown hairs. These products contain anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ingredients to soothe skin and keep pores clear.

Wear loose cotton underwear. Tight clothing can irritate freshly waxed skin. Choose breathable cotton underwear while the area heals. Avoid thongs or lace which could cause friction.

Apply aloe vera. The cooling and soothing properties of aloe vera gel can provide relief if your skin feels irritated after waxing. Make sure to choose a fragrance-free aloe vera gel designed for sensitive skin.

Take warm baths. Soaking in a warm bath with Epsom salts can reduce inflammation and discomfort. Avoid very hot baths which may further irritate the skin.

Use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer. Keeping the skin moisturized prevents dryness and itching as the hair grows back. Massage the area in the direction of hair growth to prevent ingrown hairs.

Avoid picking or scratching. It’s important not to pick at the skin or ingrown hairs as this can lead to infection. Try applying a warm compress to loosen any embedded hairs. See your waxer or dermatologist if you have a recurring ingrown hair problem.