How many times have we heard: "Who wants to look nice, a bit has to suffer." Well, let's get ready to respond with a loud and clear, "Not necessarily!". Whoever came up with that saying was definitely thinking of this season: the season of waxing, hair removal, and rushing to the beauty salon for the first weekend at the beach or pool, or to finally wear that skirt that has been locked in the wardrobe all winter.

But what they didn’t know is that technology would make huge strides in terms of different and innovative - not to mention less painful - methods of hair removal (laser and pulsed light, photo epilation, electrolysis and thermolysis, but also waxing, sugaring…) and depilation (razor, depilatory cream…). Yet, if you still notice bumps or skin irritations after shaving or waxing, you don’t have to keep suffering. You might be dealing with folliculitis: in this case, the cutting-edge cosmetic research from Rhea Cosmetics is here to support! We're here to help you understand what it is and how to prevent it, keeping your skin smooth, healthy, and free from any thorny problems!

What is folliculitis and how to recognize it?

Imagine waking up one morning, ready to show off those super trendy shorts or your favourite swimsuit, only to discover that your skin is covered in small red bumps. Well, it could be folliculitis. But what exactly is it? Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicles, those tiny cavities distributed in the deep areas of the dermis - the middle layer of skin - at the root of each hair: mechanical or thermal removal of the hair can cause the disruption of the skin flora balance and facilitate the entry of bacteria, leading to the onset of these inflammatory states and sensitizations. 

It might sound a bit complicated, we admit, but don't worry: recognizing it is easier than you think! Usually, it appears in the form of numerous "pimples" or red or white pustules that appear on the skin surface in any area of ​​the body covered by more or less visible hair (that is, in any part of the epidermis, except for the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet), after waxing or shaving. When it manifests more superficially, you might also feel a bit of itching, redness, or pain, especially in areas where the skin has been depilated; however, the development of pus-filled blisters that - upon disappearing - leave room for a crust is not to be excluded. Finally, in more severe cases, namely deep folliculitis, you may even experience pain and the appearance of scars.

How to prevent folliculitis?

Prevention - we all agree - is always the most effective remedy, and this also applies to folliculitis. Just a few simple precautions are enough to keep it at bay and maintain healthy, irritation-free skin:

1. Hygiene is key

Before each shave or waxing session, make sure your skin and tools are perfectly clean and sanitized: use a gentle antibacterial soap and disinfect the razor blades or waxing strips. If you're using a razor, also change the blades frequently.

2. Gentle exfoliation

Exfoliation helps remove dead skin cells and impurities from the skin's surface, reducing the risk of ingrown hairs and consequently, folliculitis. So, opt for a gentle scrub, like our iconic ExfoGel or HappyScrub, and don't go overboard with pressure!

3. Watch your clothes

After waxing or shaving, opt for and wear clothes made of natural, breathable fabrics; avoid those that are too tight, which can rub against the skin and risk further irritation.

4. Hydration and protection

Both before and after shaving or waxing, rely on specific, soothing and moisturizing skincare formulas. According to research conducted by Rhea Cosmetics' cosmetologists, the skin's microbial film plays a key role in daily protection against the attack of harmful external pathogens: a properly supported microbiome prevents the occurrence of folliculitis and irritation caused by external factors. 

Can't wait to find out which product best meets this need? Keep reading...

The Rhea solution to folliculitis: your secret to smooth, healthy Skin!

Drumroll, please! The product you won't be able to live without is Silk[mi], the new before & after hair removal body cream by Rhea Cosmetics, enriched with microbial nutrients that effectively protect the skin microbiome: Prebiotics (bacterial-derived substances that serve the function of a nutrient substrate for the microflora), Probiotics (stabilized microorganisms for cosmetic formulations with an anti-inflammatory action), and Postbiotics (bacterial-derived substances that help reduce the growth of external bacteria by promoting the growth of good bacteria).

In simpler terms? It's an innovative, next-generation body cream with a rich and full-bodied texture, formulated to optimize your epilation experience. Here's what you need to know:

- It provides deep soothing and repairing action by boosting the skin's immune defenses, reducing the risk of inflammations such as folliculitis and irritations;
- It inhibits follicular growth, slowing the development of new hair follicles by prolonging the effects of hair removal;
- It smoothes and rebalances the skin by modulating the keratinization process to prevent hair involution, while Pre, Post, and Probiotics - as we've seen - help protect the microbiome by rebalancing its biodiversity.

The results are EXTRAORDINARY: not only is the quantity and quality of the hair visibly reduced, and the skin appears nourished and smoother, but irritation and sensitization due to epilation are soothed, the hydrolipidic film is restored, and the skin regains its natural ability to defend itself from harmful environmental influences. If you want to learn more, check out the dedicated page for this new arrival on our website or our Instagram page right away!

Elevate your epilation experience: masterful skincare rituals and professional treatments

To effectively prevent the onset of folliculitis or soothe sensitivities and irritations from shaving or waxing, it's essential to take care of your skin in the correct and targeted manner, both before, during, and after hair removal. Discover - with your Dermotechnologist® - which Rhea Cosmetics products are the right fit for you and your needs during the pre-epilation, maintenance, and post-epilation phases. Find the nearest Rhea beauty salon to you: here, you can also experience 100% effective and highly personalized professional body treatments to bid farewell to annoying skin inflammations once and for all, and flaunt smooth, radiant, beautiful skin!