Waxing is an effective way to remove unwanted hair, leaving your skin smooth for weeks. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this guide covers everything from preparation to aftercare, ensuring a successful waxing experience.
At Beauté we offer a wide range of waxing services including intimate waxing (ladies only) and even nostril and ear waxing.
Hair grows in cycles so even once you've waxed an area, there is another cycle of growth under the skin waiting to grow through. It takes a committed approach to waxing regularly (without switching to and fro with different methods such as shaving) to really see and feel the benefits of waxing.
Hair grows at different speeds on different areas of the body so, for example, you may need your top lip waxed every 4 weeks while your legs are every 4 to 6 weeks, it's very individual.
1. Benefits of Waxing
- Removes hair from the root, leading to longer-lasting results (up to 4-6 weeks)
- Hair grows back finer and softer over time for the vast majority of people however, there are a few people whose hair growth may be stimulated by waxing.
- Exfoliates the skin, removing dead cells
- Reduces the chances of ingrown hairs compared to shaving
2. Types of Wax
- Strip Wax:(ours is called Hy-Wax) is applied with a disposable applicator attached to a tube of wax and removed with fabric strips. Best for large areas like legs, arms and backs.
- Hot Wax: Applied directly to the skin and removed without strips, ideal for sensitive areas like the face, underarms, and bikini line. Please note that due to the higher cost of hot wax and the time it takes, we are unable to offer hot wax for areas larger such as legs or backs.
3. Pre-Waxing Preparation
- Hair Length: Ensure hair is at least 4mm (about the size of a grain of rice) for effective removal. If the hair has been shaved previously, the longer the better, so more than 4mm is ideal.
- Exfoliation: Gently exfoliate 24 hours before waxing to remove dead skin and reduce ingrown hairs.
- Clean Skin: Wash the area with a mild, non-oil based soap or shower gel and please DO NOT apply creams, lotions, oils, or deodorants to areas to be waxed as these make it more difficult for the wax to adhere.
- Hot Skin: Please ensure that your skin isn't overheated prior to a waxing appointment. e.g don't sit in the sun, have a sunbed or do any other heat-inducing activity within 24 hours of a waxing appointment.
- Pain Management: If you have a low pain tolerance, you may wish to take a pain reliever 30 minutes before waxing although very few people feel the need.
4. Aftercare Tips(for 24-48 hrs)
- Avoid heat e.g hot baths, showers, saunas, steam, sun/sunbeds. Stick to lukewarm water for 24 hours.
- Wear Loose Clothing, ideally made from natural fibres: Tight clothes can cause friction and irritation on freshly waxed skin and artificial fibres may hold in heat.
- Moisturize Daily: Keep your skin hydrated. Your Beauty Therapist will advise the best products to use. Please DO NOT apply products containing oils, fake tan, talcum powder or other potentially irritating/pore blocking ingredients for at least 24 hours.
- Exfoliate Regularly: You may start exfoliating 48hrs after waxing to help prevent ingrown hairs.
- Avoid Sun Exposure: Waxed skin is more sensitive to UV rays, so apply sunscreen necessary (but not for 24 hours)
- When to Avoid Waxing
- If you have sunburn, cuts, bruising, skin infections or irritated skin.
- If you’re using retinoids(Vitamin A derivatives) or acne medications (consult your doctor first) on your skin as these may make the skin thinner and are therefore more likely to cause damage to the skin surface.
- If you have a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis on the area you want to wax.
- On vascular areas such as varicose veins on legs.
Waxing remains our most popular method of hair removal as it is suitable for most people but if you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask via email to info@beautetherapy.co.uk
For more permanent solutions, please read our Electrolysis and Variable Pulsed Light guides for further information.
Happy Waxing!