I have been waxing my own eyebrows a home for years. Still, I like to go and have them waxed at a salon about every third or fourth time. Doing that helps me maintain the shape of the brows. After all, I’m no expert. I do, however, like to do it myself more often than not so I can save money and so I have full control over the products I use.

What I mean about the products is that since I have sensitive skin, I obviously use waxes and creams that do not irritate my skin. It’s been years since I have had a bad reaction from a solon wax, so I did not even think to pay attention to what the girl in the salon was using as she waxed my brows yesterday. They look great, by the way, but they are not my problem. I thought that as long as I was in the chair, I may as well have the area above my lip waxed – something I have to do very rarely. I suppose that since the skin there is not as used to the waxing process, it is also more easily traumatized.

Now I have welts around my mouth. They look rather like hives. I’m not sure if it is a reaction to one of the products the salon used or just a general state of irritation to the actual hair removal. I have read online at more than one site that this reaction is more than likely an allergic reaction to product. Most people report that Benadryl helps, because most popular waxing products use pine resin and that is something a lot of people are allergic to in their daily lives. Also, people with fair skin, like my own, are more prone to general irritation and indeed the products used are an important factor, as is the time of month you have a wax performed.

All of this is to say that I really should stick to waxing at home, where I know the wax I use is for sensitive skin and the before and after products I use are not prone to irritate my skin.