The Tend Skin Company Many consumers get ingrown hairs from shaving, and there are
 numerous
products designed to help with this.
Regular readers know that I write pretty
tough reviews of hair removal products. Well, I'm happy to say
there are a few products that can sometimes work as well as they
claim. One of these is Tend Skin.
Tend Skin promoters make claims about all
sorts if other uses, but this analysis only applies to hair removal.
When applied regularly, Tend Skin can effectively
and safely reduce the following side effects from hair removal:
Razor bumps or shaving bumps (Pseudofolliculitis
barbae or PFB)
Ingrown hairs
Shaving rash
Whiteheads following waxing
Inflammation after electrolysis or
waxing
Disclaimer: A product which works
perfectly for one consumer may not work at all for another. I
discuss this product for informational purposes only and make
no claim or guarantee about its safety or effectiveness for individual
consumers. As with all products discussed on this site, I have
no financial interest in Tend Skin.
Contact information
Address: 2090 SW 71st Terrace, Bay
G-9 Davie, FL 33317
Telephone: (800) 940-8423 Outside the
U.S.A.: (954) 382-0800
Fax: (954) 475-8426
website: http://www.tendskin.com/
email:
Available product
Tend Skin is a clear liquid with a slightly vinegar smell. It's
covered by U.S. Patents 6,001,340 and 6,156,299. Even
the manufacturer admits what makes Tend Skin work “is not
completely understood.” Tend Skin appears to be a beta-hydroxy
acid type exfoliant.
Purchasing information
You can purchase Tend Skin from the manufacturer or through many distributors.
You can do a search on Google and type in "Tend Skin"
for a longer list, but here are a few established companies (again,
no endorsement implied)
www.skinsite.com
www.folica.com/removal/tendskin1.htm
www.tendskin-distributor.com/
www.beautyrealm.com/tend_skin.htm
I DO NOT recommend buying from these
disreputable companies/websites:
http://www.hairremoval.com/tend_skin.htm
http://www.about-hair-removal.com/tend-skin.htm
http://www.laserhairremoval.com/tend_skin.htm
Razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis
barbae or PFB)
From 50-80% of African-American men and
15-20% of Caucasian men have beard hairs which curl as they
grow and eventually burrow into the skin adjacent to the hair
follicle. Shaving sharpens the hair ends, making it easier for
them to penetrate into the skin. Razor bumps itch, burn, and
make shaving difficult. Over time, this can cause keloidal
scarring which looks like hard bumps of the beard area and neck.
Treatments
A 100% effective treatment is to let
the beard grow. Once the hairs get to be a certain length they
will not grow back into the skin.
Use of an electric shaver can help
the condition because it does not cut as close as blades do.
Some doctors recommend "chemical
shaving" with products such as Nair, Neet, Magic Shave,
etc. to improve PFB.
Some recent studies have suggested
certain types of lasers may be useful; in treating PFB, but
the data is very limited, and darker skin tones have a higher
likelihood of skin discoloration from laser.
Washing the beard area with Lever 2000
soap using a Buf-Puf helps raise the hairs from under the skin
and prevents them from growing back into the skin. This should
be done twice a day. Buf-Pufs are available without a prescription
at your local drug store.
Tend Skin or similar products can be
an effective treatment for razor bumps.
Retin-A or a topical antibiotic solution
prescribed by your doctor can help the problem.
Shaving
If you must use a blade, before shaving wash the face with
a mild cleanser such as Cetaphil Lotion, then rinse. Massage
the beard area gently in a circular motion with a warm, moist,
soft washcloth. This will free up the hair tips so they can
be cut with the shaver. The warm water will also soften the
hairs, making them easier to cut. Lather the beard area with
a non-irritating shaving gel such as Aveeno Therapeutic Shave
Gel instead of cream and shave in the direction of beard growth
using an Aveeno PFB Bump Fighter Razor. Both of these products
should be available at your local drug store. After shaving
is finished, rinse thoroughly with warm water and apply a
mild moisturizing aftershave lotion such as Cetaphil Lotion.Shaving
every other day, rather than daily, will improve pseudo-folliculitis
barbae. Use a single blade razor. Do not pull the skin
taut when blade shaving and do not use a double or triple-edged
razor.
Single edge razor must be discarded
after 2-3 uses! This is critical. Dull blades make razor bumps!
Apply Tend Skin before and after shaving,
two three times per day, for the first 3 days. Once the skin
clears (usually in 48 hours), apply it once daily to maintain
clear skin.
For greater comfort, allow 15 - 20 minutes after shaving
before applying.
Even after condition has improved,
you must continue using the product as parts of your shaving
routine.
Always shave in the direction of the follicle, not against
it, don't stretch the skin.
Do not tweeze ingrown hairs as it may cause skin damage and
increase the likelihood of more ingrown hairs.
Ingrown Hairs
Men can get ingrown beard hairs, and
women can get them after shaving or waxing their legs, bikini
lines, and underarms. Some women also get them following electrolysis
or laser. Ingrown hairs form after existing hairs curl over
within the follicles and fail to exit to the surface. The result
is an unsightly ingrown-hair-formed "bump" on the
skin.
Applying Tend Skin to existing ingrown
hairs will clear 24 to 48 hours. DO NOT Tweeze or pick at ingrown
hairs. Once the hair is well above the skin. Then dip tweezers
into the Tend Skin and remove. Re-spot with a Q-Tip.
Women have reported good results using
a double edge disposable razor, replacing it after two shaves.
Applying Tend Skin before shaving will decrease the burning
and itching associated with PFB. Apply twice a day, in
the morning after showering and once at night before going
to sleep.
Razor Burn
Applying Tend Skin after shaving will
eliminate the noticeable redness that appears on the skin after
shaving, both for women after shaving legs, bikini lines and
underarms, and for men after shaving their faces.
Inflammation after Electrolysis or Waxing
When used after waxing, the Tend Skin
can reduce redness. Applying Tend
Skin regularly to areas that are waxed or treated with electrolysis
is will prevent the ingrown hair formation that occurs after
these procedures.
If you have pre-existing ingrown hair
problems, buy a bottle of Tend Skin for home use. Apply the
product 2 - 3 times daily prior to hair removal. Ideal times
to use the product are after showering in the morning and before
retiring at night. This approach will permit lifting of existing
ingrown hairs prior to waxing or electrolysis, making hair removal
in the salon much cleaner and neater.
15-20 minutes after waxing or electrolysis,
apply Tend Skin to the area. There may be slight stinging when
applying Tend Skinü after waxing or electrolysis. If it does
not simply apply a cool damp cloth to the area. Apply Tend Skinü 2-3 times weekly to maintain
ingrown hair free skin. Weekly application of the product may
have to be adjusted for the individual depending on the skin
and hair types involved.
Eyebrow: Apply Once after hair removal,
Chin: Apply Once after Hair removal.
A sunscreen is recommended to prevent Hyper Pigmentation.
Bikini, Underarm, and Legs: Apply Tend
Skinü after waxing to eliminate redness within minutes. Apply
Once a week as maintenance to prevent ingrown hair formation.
Some women will feel minor stinging if applying right after
waxing. Apply a cool damp cloth to stop stinging. Apply TEND
SKINü several times weekly to prevent ingrown hair formation.
(If drying occurs apply a moisturizer ...see warning page)
Tips for best results
Apply it generously.
I know it's pretty expensive, but it's the best way to see results.
Your skin should look slightly damp when you finish.
Tend Skin should
be applied with a quilted cotton square, or a cotton ball.
Rinse hands after
use, especially if you aren't wearing gloves. It can exfoliate
the skin on your fingertips, leaving them dry and peeling.
Replace cap tightly
after each use. Or chemical breakdown will occur. (Vinegar smell
and White powder at neck of bottle)
Apply a cool
cloth if stinging occurs.
Problem areas
may be spot treated with a Q-Tip.
Warnings and cautions
- Keep out of the reach of children.
-
- Follique should be kept away
from color sensitive clothing or carpeting as it may cause
discoloration if spilled.
Tend Skin will
take off some kinds of nail polish. You may want to use a protective
glove to preserve your manicure. I use the disposable vinyl
type, like you get in a home hair color or relaxer kit.
Do not splash it on, as it can splash
into the eyes and be a severe skin irritant.
- Avoid using Tend Skin while doing
the following procedures:
-
-
Dermabrasion & Micro-Dermabrasion:
Do not use Tend Skin on treated areas for at least one month
(30 days) after treatment is completed. It can cause excessive
exfoliation resulting in a burning, discoloration's, or
pigmentation abnormalities.
Use of loofa sponges or abrasive scrubs
Tend Skin should
not be used at the same time as other products.
Chemical burns may result when used in
conjunction with other products. If you decide to use more than
one product, you should at least space their use by 48 hours.
Avoid using Tend Skin while using the following preparations:
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)
Glycolic acids or peels
Citrus-based washes, scrubs, or moisturizers
Retin-A, Benzoyl Peroxide, or other topical
acne products
Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)
- Medical conditions:
-
-
Allergies to aspirin or other salicylates
(do a test area on inside of inner wrist, wait 24 hours,
if no reaction proceed)
If you are pregnant or nursing seek
the advice of a health professional before usage
|
hair removal
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