You want a wax. You need a wax. But what are the intricacies that go along with a wax? Believe it or not, there are (plenty of) dos and don ts after waxing (and pre-appointment, too!). So print this page out, hang it on your fridge, save it to your phone or share it with your friends via social media because this is your ultimate guide to all-things-waxing.
It’s wax etiquette 101. Let’s discuss.
Dos after Waxing (and Before!)
For starters, say I do to waxing. Why? You’ll have better results than you would with shaving. It’s convenient. It’s less irritating then epilations and creams. Plus, you’re smooth. There you go.
Do remember to share with your wax specialists should you be allergic to any skin ointments, etc. Here’s when to also disclose if you’re taking or applying any prescriptions (Retin-A, we’re eyeballing you). Medications such as isotretinoin or tretinoin, aka retinoic acid, thin your skin, thereby potentially causing it to tear upon waxing.
Do embrace your body. If you have any inhibitions about scheduling a wax because you’re not feeling your best, give yourself a break—and practice self-love. Personally, we, at Waxxpot, welcome everybody and every BODY. This is a judgment-free zone. We’d love to see you!
Do your due diligence: Always, always go to a clean wax salon that upholds sanitary practices. (We, of course, recommend Waxxpot!) It’s so important: Skip this step and it’s an invitation to transferring bacteria and other germs (eek).
Do grow your hair out to the correct length. Hair length for waxing should be about ¼ to ¾ inch long. (If it’s too long, simply [and it goes without saying, carefully,] trim it. (Clean eyebrow scissors work well.)
Do know the difference among waxes: For example, a bikini line wax cleans up the panty line area and top. A bikini full wax removes as much or as little unwanted hair in the front as you wish. A Brazilian wax rids everything in the front and back. And, when it comes to a full bikini or a Brazilian, do decide what you want—take everything off, leave a strip, a square, whatever.
Do keep up with your waxing appointments. The more often you remove hair from the root, the more likely the hair follicle becomes damaged. This causes the hair to thin; the thinner the hair, the less uncomfortable the wax come future. Bonus: As you establish a regular waxing routine, you may notice your skin staying hair-free for lengthier periods of time. The hair may stop growing altogether.
Do recognize that everyone’s speed of regrowth is distinct. You and your BFF may have scheduled your wax for the same day, but if you’re seeing unwanted hair popping up before your bestie, it could be due to a variety of factors. Among them: hormone levels, age and genetics.
Do know everyBODY’s skin is different; you may be more sensitive than others when it comes to waxing. For instance, your skin may be red a bit longer than, say, a friend’s post-wax, but it should diminish quickly and disappear completely within a few days. (Read how to soothe skin after a wax.)
Do schedule your appointments in the appropriate timeframe. A bikini or Brazilian wax is about four to six weeks apart. Eyebrow wax or facial wax are two to four weeks between appointments. Body wax—legs, arms, chest, etc.—is typically four weeks.
Do wear cotton panties the day of your bikini or Brazilian wax. Cotton undies may not be the sexiest, but they’re less irritating and a more breathable fabric (plus, let’s be 100% honest here—they’re more comfortable). Same goes for tight pants in this respect; skip them on wax day.
Do whatever you need to do to relax (within reason). Just don’t imbibe—alcohol has a tendency to make skin more sensitive.
Thinking of an eyebrow wax? Do schedule it a few days prior to an event to alleviate any redness that may occur post-wax.
How about a bikini or Brazilian wax? Do book it a day or two before your sleepover with your significant other-slash-current crush-slash-whomever. You need 24 hours to 48 hours before you get busy to a.) avoid any skin irritation from waxing and b.) give hair follicles time to close.
Do make it easy on yourself. Waxing the proper, precise way takes practice—and it’s best to leave it to the experts to avoid ingrown hairs or other skin irritants. So skip the at-home wax and head to the wax salon.
Don ts after Waxing (and Before!)
One of Waxxpot’s mottos is “Go bare, we’ve got you covered”—and that doesn’t pertain strictly to waxing. We’ve got you covered with all the info necessary to make your wax stress-free. So hit up some Waxxpot blog posts or head to our FAQ pages for further deets. Don’t be apprehensive about waxing.
If possible, don’t tan 24 hours to 48 hours before your wax. Pre-wax tanning is asking for your skin to be more sensitive; thereby causing more discomfort during your wax. Post-wax tanning may cause a sunburn. Waxing exfoliates, after all, removing the top layer of dead surface-skin cells. And if you’re already sunburned? Skip the wax until your skin is healed. This goes for all types of waxing, from your bikini area to your eyebrows.
Don’t exfoliate 24 hours to 48 hours prior to waxing to avoid irritation. (Though we absolutely encourage you to exfoliate a few times weekly in between wax appointments to keep skin soft.)
Don’t coat your body with lotions, potions, creams or any of the sort the day of your wax. Why? The wax may not adhere to your hair. And in terms of your face, any moisturizers, makeup, etc. can get in the way of your wax specialist providing your perfect brow shape.
Sweating and spending time in hot showers, saunas, steam rooms or tanning beds for a few days post-wax (bikini or Brazilian) is another don’t.
Don’t shave between wax appointments. Shaving can initiate ingrown hairs and annoying itching.
And speaking of scratching, don’t scratch what’s been waxed. It can cause further irritation to the new skin. And, don’t touch the newly waxed area. It can transfer bacteria and clog pores.
Don’t hesitate or delay starting a wax routine. Spring break is fast approaching and summer’s right on its heels. If you have unwanted hair, remove it. Book that wax today!
So there you have it: the do’s and don’ts of waxing. Lengthy? Probably. Important. Definitely!
xx,
Waxxpot
