No-GO Skincare treatments and habits during your period

One day, I thought it would be a good idea to sign up for laser hair removal—completely forgetting to check my Flo app. And GIRL. I thought I was going to die. Normally, laser hair removal is supposed to hurt, but this? This was a WHOLE DIFFERENT LEVEL of pain.

Picture this: my left hand gripping a pink stress ball, my left foot wiggling like crazy, all just to get through lasering my underarms. Did I cry?

No.

I bawled my eyes out.

So, what was happening with my body, and why should I have waited until my ovulation phase to book the service?

During the end of the luteal phase and throughout the menstrual phase, the female body becomes more sensitive due to hormonal shifts. Prostaglandins—lipid compounds released during these phases—promote inflammation, pain, and uterine contractions (during both labor and menstruation). These hormonal changes make the body more reactive to pain.

Women in the cycle-syncing community often adopt anti-inflammatory diets and habits throughout their cycle and especially leading up to their period to help regulate PMS symptoms.

The skin is also more sensitive during this time, which can amplify the perception of pain. Personally, I now avoid ANYTHING PAINFUL during the luteal and menstrual phases.

As an esthetician, I have to emphasize that the following services/habits should be avoided during the end of the luteal phase and throughout the bleeding phase:

• Harsh Exfoliants

  • Physical Scrubs with Large or Harsh Particles

    • Scrubs containing rough granules like walnut shells or sugar can cause micro-tears in sensitive skin.

  • High-Strength Chemical Exfoliants

    • Avoid strong AHAs/BHAs (e.g., glycolic acid above 10%, salicylic acid above 2%) that can irritate or over-dry the skin.

  • Enzyme Masks with High Potency

    • Potent fruit enzyme masks (e.g., pineapple or papaya) can overstimulate already delicate skin.

  • Mechanical Exfoliation Devices

    • Devices like facial brushes or microdermabrasion tools can exacerbate sensitivity and disrupt the skin’s healing process.

  • Exfoliating Peels

    • Medium to deep chemical peels should be avoided as the skin’s ability to recover is reduced during this phase.

  • DIY Abrasive Mixes

    • Home remedies like baking soda or coarse coffee scrubs can cause unnecessary irritation.

• Harsh Active Ingredients

  Harsh Active Ingredients to Avoid

  1. Strong Retinoids

     • Retinol or prescription-strength retinoids (like tretinoin) can increase sensitivity and dryness.

     • Opt for gentler alternatives like bakuchiol or skip retinoids entirely.

  2. High-Strength AHAs/BHAs

     • Avoid glycolic acid above 10% or salicylic acid above 2%, as these can exacerbate irritation.

     • Choose milder exfoliants or skip them altogether.

  3. Harsh Vitamin C Formulations

     • High concentrations of L-ascorbic acid (15-20%) can sting or irritate.

     • Consider a gentler derivative, like magnesium ascorbyl phosphate.

  4. Alcohol-Based Products

     • Denatured alcohol or alcohol-heavy toners can strip the skin and worsen dryness.

     • Look for hydrating, alcohol-free alternatives.

  5. Benzoyl Peroxide

     • While effective for acne, benzoyl peroxide (especially in concentrations above 5%) can dry out sensitive skin.

     • Spot-treat acne with soothing alternatives like tea tree oil or azelaic acid.

  6. Fragrance and Essential Oils

     • Products with strong artificial fragrances or irritating essential oils (like eucalyptus or peppermint) can cause redness or discomfort.

  7. Harsh Clay Masks

     • Overly drying masks with strong astringent properties (like pure bentonite or kaolin without hydrating agents) can stress the skin.

• Laser Hair Removal

  • Increased Pain Sensitivity

    • Hormonal fluctuations can lower your pain threshold, making the laser treatment feel more uncomfortable than usual.

  • Skin Sensitivity

    • The skin may be more prone to redness, irritation, or inflammation during the bleeding phase, increasing the risk of adverse reactions.

  • Heightened Emotional Sensitivity

    • If you're feeling physically or emotionally tender, the added stress of the procedure might feel overwhelming.

• Hair Waxing Removal

  1. Heightened Pain Sensitivity

     • Hormonal changes can make you more sensitive to pain, making waxing feel more uncomfortable than usual.

  2. Increased Skin Irritation

     • Skin is naturally more prone to redness, swelling, and irritation during this phase due to fluctuating hormone levels.

  3. Emotional and Physical Tenderness

     • Feeling bloated or fatigued can make the experience more stressful than necessary.

  If You Decide to Proceed with Waxing During the Bleeding Phase:

  1. Pain Management

     • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever (like ibuprofen) 30 minutes before your appointment to reduce discomfort.

  2. Communicate with Your Technician

     • Let them know you're on your period so they can take extra care with sensitive areas.

     • Use a tampon or menstrual cup for hygiene during the session.

  3. Pre-Wax Skin Prep

     • Avoid using harsh skincare products (e.g., retinoids, strong acids, or exfoliants) 24-48 hours before waxing.

     • Cleanse the area gently beforehand but skip lotion or oil to ensure proper wax adhesion.

  4. Post-Wax Care

     • Apply soothing products like aloe vera gel or a fragrance-free moisturizer to calm the skin.

     • Avoid tight clothing, hot showers, or sweating for 24 hours to reduce irritation.

• Botox, Microneedling, and Filler

  • Microneedling

    • The skin's healing response is slower, and increased sensitivity can make the procedure more painful and lead to prolonged redness or irritation.

  • Chemical Peels (Medium to Deep Strength)

    • Peels with high concentrations of AHAs, BHAs, or TCA (trichloroacetic acid) can irritate the skin more during this phase, increasing the risk of peeling, redness, or uneven healing.

  • Laser Treatments (e.g., Resurfacing, IPL)

    • Procedures like fractional lasers or intense pulsed light (IPL) can feel more painful due to heightened sensitivity and may result in more redness and downtime.

  • Dermaplaning

    • The blade may cause micro-tears or irritation on already tender skin, leading to redness or discomfort.

  • Microdermabrasion

    • This mechanical exfoliation can overstimulate sensitive skin, resulting in inflammation or discomfort.

  • Strong Exfoliation Treatments

    • Treatments with high-strength glycolic or salicylic acid should be avoided as they can disrupt the skin barrier.

  • Botox or Fillers

    • While not strictly contraindicated, you may feel heightened discomfort or swelling during injections due to increased sensitivity.

  • Waxing-Related Exfoliation Treatments

    • Waxing areas that involve exfoliative pre-treatments (like enzyme or acid-based peels) can further irritate delicate skin.

  Gentler Alternatives

  If you want to treat your skin during the bleeding phase, consider:

  1. Hydrating Facials with calming ingredients like aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, or chamomile.

  2. LED Light Therapy to soothe irritation and boost skin repair gently.

  3. Mild Enzyme Masks for light exfoliation without aggravation.

  4. Facial Massage to improve circulation and de-puff naturally.

  Why These Should Be Avoided

  • Pain Sensitivity: Hormonal shifts make your pain threshold lower, increasing discomfort.

  • Healing Slower: Reduced estrogen levels mean your skin may not recover as quickly from invasive or intense treatments.

  • Increased Irritation Risk: Treatments that stress the skin can lead to redness, swelling, or irritation.

Want to start your skin cycling journey?

Before you go, grab a free Skin Cycling Cheat Sheet!

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