The DOS and DONTS of Waxing: What you need to know!
A date with a dreaded bowl of hot wax can really be a cringe-worthy experience. But there are simple things you can do to make your next appointment a lot less painful.
DO'S
DO try to relax as the more tense you are, the more you'll feel the pain. Take the focus away by sucking on a mint or chewing some gum, mentally planning your day, etc.
DO exfoliate on a daily basis. Using a salt scrub is nice, but to be more cost effective and to reduce the chance of oil-clogged pores, try a simple exfoliating glove or natural loofah sponge, dry alone or wet with shower gel. For more advanced exfoliating treatment for ingrowns (depending on the type) we can recommend accordingly for your skin type during your appointment.
DO keep the area away from constant friction. This may create some irritation and result in ingrown hairs.
DO shower immediately after exercise to keep follicles clear and bacteria free (or use a babywipe in a pinch).
DO apply a cold compress to the area if you find your skin is heat sensitive after treatment. Circulation is increased when waxing due to your body’s natural response to heal itself. Cooling will help to constrict blood vessels and relieve discomfort.
DO take an ibuprofen or aspirin about 30 minutes before your wax. It can help lessen the pain by slightly dulling your pain receptors.
DO book your appointments 3-6 weeks apart. The hair grows in multiple cycles so in order to get ideal results we need to weaken each stage by removing new growth as it comes through. With consistent appointments, each cycle will stay in its softest stage. If you wait longer than 3-6 months the hair grows strong again.
DON'TS
DON'T wait until your hairs are too long to wax. This can make the process a lot longer and more uncomfortable. Also, make sure they are long enough (at least a quarter of an inch) for the wax to adhere and grab them easily
DON'T shave between treatments. The goal of consistent hair removal is to remove the root of the hair so it grows back new making it softer, finer, and fewer in number. Shaving will upset appointment times allowing the root to grow strong and making waxing more painful.
DON'T do excessive activity immediately after appointment (hot yoga, bike rides, hot tubs, etc). Uric acid and salt in your perspiration could be mildly irritating to the area and friction could cause an uncomfortable effect on a tender area; maybe resulting in prolonged redness and breakout.
DON'T pick at ingrown hairs (we have PFB Vanish for those pesky ingrowns). The bacteria found in an infected follicle combined with inflammation weakens the pore lining. If you squeeze these ingrowns it could cause for greater inflammation, infect surrounding pores, and slow the healing process. When booking your appointment, mention ingrown concerns so your esthetician can address your concerns and help you prevent them!
DON'T apply lotions, gels or creams same day to the area treated. There may be increased sensitivity and irritation due to the follicles being compromised. Especially avoid fragranced or alcohol based products.
DON'T sunbathe 24 hours before or after treatment (exposing treated area). This may dehydrate the skin prior to treatment and cause skin to lift. After treatment, with increased circulation, sun exposure may increase heat sensitivity and cause discomfort.
DON'T drink coffee and other caffeinated beverages or even alcohol can make your skin much more sensitive. Try to avoid these for a few hours before you wax.
