Let’s face it – body hair is totally natural. However, if you do feel like removing it for whatever reason, there’s no reason to be in fear of your very first waxing experience.
Sure, though you could opt to use a razor, there’s always a chance of getting shaving rash and pesky ingrown hairs. So, if you want silky smooth skin free from any stubble (at least, for around 6 weeks or so anyway) then your best bet is to opt for waxing.
It’s also a good idea to know what to do after waxing.
Whether you’re planning on waxing in the comfort of your very own home, or you’ve got an appointment booked with a beauty therapist, there are a few things you can do prior to the day that will ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible.
The first thing that we suggest doing is making sure that you are regularly exfoliating your body in between waxes (you should never exfoliate immediately before getting a wax), as this will help to keep your skin free of grime and dirt.
Alongside that, you should be sure that you’re properly moisturizing and caring for your skin, as wax cannot be applied to very dry or damaged skin.
On the day, we suggest that you avoid using lotions, as this can cause the wax to not stick properly. Instead, opt for a mild soap that will be able to gently clean your skin and rid it of any surface dirt, and finish by gently patting it dry with a towel.
After doing that, you’ll need to inspect your hair to ensure that it is the appropriate length to be cut – anything longer than one-quarter of an inch will need to be trimmed.
After that, all you’ll need to do is head to your local waxing salon, where your beauty therapist will be able to handle the rest.
Can you exfoliate right before waxing?
Exfoliating right before you get a wax is, to put it simply, a recipe for disaster! Even though we do recommend that you make sure you are regularly exfoliating, if you were to exfoliate on the day (or even the night before) your waxing appointment, then you would more than likely cause your skin to become red, inflamed, and even burned.
Instead, we recommend making sure that you are regularly exfoliating around twice a week, as this will ensure that your skin stays soft, clean, and free of oil, dirt, and debris in between your waxing sessions/appointments.
How do you prepare your skin for waxing?
When you get waxed, your hair will be removed from the follicle, which essentially means that you’re going to get your hair pulled out from the root. When this happens, tiny little holes will be left in place of the hair follicles, which are a dream come true for bacteria and germs.
In addition to that, waxing can also make the surface layer of your skin more at risk of becoming inflamed or irritated (as it removes dead skin cells and other debris from the surface of your skin) not to mention the fact that wax can quite literally cause burns. So, in other words, there are quite a few mishaps that can occur while getting waxed!
The best way to ensure that none of the above occurs is to make sure that you are ensuring that your skin is properly prepped before and after the procedure – while also making sure that you are using correct waxing techniques if you are doing it yourself at home.
As a side note, if you’re not confident that you’ll be able to use wax correctly, then we do recommend booking in with a professional.
Nevertheless, whether you’re doing it at home or not, there are a few things that you should do to properly prepare your skin for waxing. Let’s take a look at the top three things you should do right before you apply that wax:
- Clean your skin:
For the best results, it’s extremely important that you go to your waxing appointment or begin your session (if you’re doing it at home) with clean skin.
If you have any dirt and debris across the surface of your skin, not only could this prevent the wax from properly adhering to your skin, but it can also increase the chances of you getting irritation or infection!
Make sure that you have properly scrubbed yourself with an exfoliator and gentle soap, as this will ensure that all makeup, dirt, sweat, and other residue has been cleansed away from your skin.
- Give your hair a cut if needed:
If your hair is too long, then this can cause waxing complications and unnecessary pain that could have otherwise been avoided.
If your hair is longer than a quarter of an inch, then you’re going to need to trim it down prior to getting it waxed off. We recommend using either an electronic haircutter or hair scissors to carefully trim your hair down to a quarter of an inch, and we recommend doing this right after you have showered/bathed.
- Make sure your skin and hair are dry:
Wax won’t adhere to wet skin and hair, so the last step you should take prior to waxing is to make sure that both are thoroughly dry. If a towel isn’t enough to get the job done, then you could also opt to use a little bit of talcum powder, as the properties within it will be able to draw out moisture.
What should you not do before waxing?
24 to 48 hours prior to getting a wax, there are a few things you should avoid doing:
- Exfoliating:
Avoid exfoliating your skin the day or two before waxing, as this could cause your skin to become irritated and inflamed after getting a wax. Instead, we recommend that you incorporate an exfoliating product into your shower care routine, and make sure that you are regularly exfoliating two or three times weekly in between all of your wax appointments.
- Shaving:
Avoid shaving in between your wax sessions, as this can cause shaving rash, redness, and ingrown hairs to occur. Besides that, it’ll also mean that you get unwanted stubble!
- Using lotion/cream:
On the day of your waxing appointment, we don’t recommend using any lotions or moisturizers, as the cream might leave an oily residue across the surface of your skin that could cause the wax to be unable to properly stick to your skin.
