Burn Injury Caused by Home Hair Removal Wax Usage

Abstract

 The patient, a 24-year-old woman, incurred a 2% superficial dermal burn injury on her lower abdomen due to microwave-heated hair removal wax. Upon arrival, she was treated using fluid therapy, and was discharged after 8 days as the wound was epithelialized. There are three causes of the burn in this case: 1) application of high-temperature wax, 2) insufficient stirring after heating the hair removal wax, and 3) adhesion of the hair removal wax to areas not coated with any moisturizer to protect the skin such as oil. Burns caused by hair removal wax rarely occur under proper use. As hair removal wax is becoming easier to use at home, it is necessary to state the possible risk of burn injury and appropriate first aid instructions (Cool the wax and lower the temperature and for oil-based wax, remove using the oil or cream containing oil, etc.) for caution along with the usage method. In addition, it is recommended for medical workers to understand the characteristics of hair removal wax and treatment.