New to waxing? Waxing is one of the most popular ways to get rid of unwanted hair because, unlike shaving, it lasts for several weeks. It’s wonderful not having to deal with excess body hair for a month, but the waxing process is definitely not a fun one – especially if you’re new to it! Here are my top waxing tips to make the process go smoother and hopefully, reduce some of the pain that comes with it!
Before Waxing
Do Exfoliate
Dead skin cells and oil can clog the pores on your skin. Waxing grabs hair by the roots inside your pores, so you want to allow the wax to get inside for the closest hair removal possible. Exfoliating before waxing cleans out your pores, so the wax can reach more hair.
Do Take a Warm Bath
Before you wax your body hair, take a warm bath to open up your pores. This will help make waxing easier and allow the wax to remove more hair without causing so much pain.
Do Apply Powder
Your skin produces oils and sweat, even if you can’t see or feel it. They make your skin slippery and greasy, which can affect how the wax peels off of your skin. Sprinkle some body powder on your skin just before waxing to absorb any excess oil or sweat.
Don’t Wax Broken Skin
If your skin is cut, scraped, or otherwise broken, let it heal before waxing.
Don’t Moisturize
Don’t moisturize your skin before waxing. The oils in a lotion or cream can clog your pores and cause the wax to slip off without grabbing all of the hair.
Don’t Skip an Appointment
Waxing regularly can damage the hair follicle. This can cause your hair to grow thinner, which makes it less painful to wax in the long run. You’ll notice that over time, your waxing sessions will hurt less, and you might even be able to go longer between waxing because your hair will grow at a much slower rate, yay!
During Waxing
Do Keep Your Skin Tight
When you’re ready to remove the wax strip, use one hand to make your skin taut. This helps open up your pores so it’s easier for the hair to escape.
Do Pull Against Growth
Apply wax in the direction of your hair growth. When you pull it off, go the opposite way. Pulling wax off in the same direction as the hair grows may lead to ingrown hairs, which is definitely not a fun thing to have to deal with!
Do Work Fast
When you’re ready to remove the wax, work fast. Going slow will prolong the pain and can mix some hair. Remove the strip fast for better waxing results.
Don’t Let Your Hair Grow Too Long
Don’t let your hair grow too long between waxing. If the hair is too long, it can get tangled in the wax or even become knotted with other hair. This can make waxing more painful, and you might miss some spots.
Don’t Wax Short Hair
Conversely, don’t try to wax hair that is too short. The wax needs some hair to grip onto. If your hair is too short, the wax will grip your skin instead of your hair and pull off your skin. Ideally, your hair should be about ¼ to ¾ of an inch long.
After Waxing
Do Moisturize
Waxing can remove the top layer of skin. This helps your skin look and feel better, but it can make it dry the first few days. Use a good moisturizer for a few days after waxing.
Don’t Be in the Sun
Your skin is still sensitive the day you wax and even the next day. If it’s exposed to the sun, you might experience more irritation than you normally would.
Don’t Shave
You might be tempted to shave the first hairs that pop up after waxing, but don’t do it. Shaving can cause itching, irritate your skin, and cause ingrown hair.
Don’t Use Perfumes
Avoid using any lotions or creams with perfumes in them. Even a perfumed body spray can irritate your skin after waxing.
Don’t Take a Hot Shower
A warm bath or shower is great BEFORE your waxing session, but don’t do it right after you’re done. After waxing, a warm bath or shower can open up your pores, making your skin prone to ingrown hairs.
Do Wear Loose Fitting Clothing
Wear loose-fitting clothing the rest of the day after your wax. Avoid tight clothing because it can rub against your sensitive skin which can cause ingrown hairs and irritation.
Do Consider Laser Hair Removal
Waxing removes hair for about a month at a time, but laser hair removal permanently removes unwanted hair. The best part? It’s pain-free! It’s safe for all skin and hair types. You will need several treatments to get rid of all of your hair because hair grows at different stages, but it’s easy and fast.
If you’re wondering if laser hair removal is worth it, I’m here to tell you that it definitely is! About 16 years ago, I started laser hair removal treatments on my legs. It took six treatments over about six months to have fuzz-free legs and the thirty-minute sessions were an amazing investment. While it didn’t lengthen my legs (ha!), I can proudly show them off without having to wax/shave them (yes, even 16 years later!)
Do note, however, that who you choose for your laser hair removal is extremely important. With laser hair removal becoming increasingly popular, there are many clinics popping up that are offering the treatment. Make sure you don’t go with the first one or the cheapest one – doing proper research is so, so important! Laser technology is no joke, and it can severely damage your skin if not done properly.
As an aesthetician, I’ve seen it all: clients who tried the treatment and saw no results or worse, for their skin burned during a session! Burns and changes in skin pigmentation after hair removal treatments are very common when not done by an expert. Moreover, we all have different skin types with require different settings son the lasers, so you need to go with an expert who knows what they’re doing.
At Bella, we offer different lasers and have been doing this for over a decade! If you happen to be in Atlanta and are considering laser hair removal, make sure you book with us!