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When you go for a wax, the first question that usually comes to mind is how much is it going to hurt? Perhaps, a more important question may be, how long should your hair be to get waxed?
Waxing can be a daunting experience, but ladies, it really shouldn’t be!
Waxing is the hero of all hair removal methods. Warm wax is applied to the skin and sticks to the hair like spaghetti to meatballs and Chuck to Blair. The wax is then used to pull the hair from the root, removing the entire hair from the follicle.
You’ve heard the benefits and now you want to plan your first appointment, but not sure of all the facts and figures? Well not to worry, we’ve got you covered.
We caught up with Mariette, owner of SkinPhD Queenswood Quarter who addresses all the must-knows of waxing, before and after a wax.
Before a Wax:
· In order to avoid being patchy, you should wait 2-4 weeks after you shave before you wax. Yip, you heard us!
· For the best results your hair should be about 1/4 inch or 6 mm – the ideal length for optimal smoothness. Patience really is key here.
· The day before: make sure you exfoliate well. This will help get rid of any dead skin and help with ingrown hairs.
· Before your wax appointment: Wash really well. This will help open the pores and prevent you from getting ingrown hairs as well.
· Avoid gels and oils pre-wax as this may interfere with hair removal.
· We highly suggest staying of the sun for a few days before your wax – if your skin is burnt, your wax will be more painful. Avoid sun exposure for at least 48 hours before and after your wax.
· While we aim to give you a pain-free wax, however, everyone reacts differently so if you are prone to pain, you may want to use a numbing cream about 30 minutes before.
· Don’t take Ibuprofen, aspirin or any blood thinner. Although ibuprofen and aspirin might help with the pain, it thins your blood creating a higher chance of bruising from waxing.
· For facial waxing, if you are using Retin-A, retinol or a chemical exfoliant do not use these products at least a week before coming in. This harsh exfoliant can cause “lifting” of the first layer of skin from waxing.
· Don’t trim your hair. For any wax, your wax therapist will always take care of the trimming for you. They know the exact length it should be in order for the wax to be the least painful. If the hair is too short it will hurt more!
· Don’t shave in-between waxes. If you start shaving between your appointments, you continually cut the hair and stimulate its growth.
After a Wax:
· After a body wax it’s important to wait a day 2 or 3 before you start exfoliating. Once your skin is calm and ready for exfoliation again it’s important to hydrate the skin and keep it healthy and prevent ingrown hairs between waxes – moisturise often….
· Don’t stress about any red bumps immediately after your wax – your skin may be sensitive following your wax, this is only natural, any red bumps or irritation should subside in a few hours.
· Should your skin remain inflamed and red after a wax, Arnica gel can be used to help reduce inflammation and calm the skin. Diluted tea tree oil and lavender are also great anti-bacterial agents to help with red bumps or irritation after a body or facial wax. For your facial wax you can dilute these essential oils with your facial toner or for the body you can dilute them with rose or jojoba oil.
· To make waxing the best possible experience for you, you should reschedule 4-6 weeks out from your last wax.
· Keep hands away from touching freshly waxed skin, as this can encourage irritation or even small pimples. Your hands carry bacteria and germs which can be transferred onto the skin.
· Steer clear of too much exposure to heat – including saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools, sun bathing and intense exercise for at least one to two days after a wax because you’ll be more likely to burn as your skin is more sensitive during this time.
· Keep the freshly waxed area clean and free of products including lotions, gels, deodorant and especially perfumes until the next day.
· Continuously use after-wax lotions and exfoliate between waxes to keep the skin free from bumps and ingrown hairs.
Situated in Queenswood, Pretoria, the SkinPhD Queenswood Quarter salon offers a wide variety of beauty treatments from massages and waxes to advanced facials and aesthetic beauty treatments.
SkinPhd offers over 20 waxing options from back, stomach and arms, to full legs, bikini, lip and brows.
To book a wax at SkinPhD Queenswood, call 087 898 1078