Waxing has become one of the most requested services at salons across the country. Why? Compared to other hair removal methods, waxing is more affordable and very safe. If you have never experience waxing before, you are going to have some questions about what to expect. The following is a sample of questions most often asked before a schedule of body waxing is begun. The information applies whether you’re planning to have your bikini, your back, face, or legs waxed.
Q. Do I have to let my hair grow out a little so the wax can work?
If you want good results, you’ll want to stop shaving for about 2 or 3 weeks, or until your hair grows to about 1/4″. This may be a bit irritating, just ignoring your hair growth, but the process works a lot better if the wax has something to hold on to. A little bit of discomfort while letting your hair grow will pay off with better results.
Q. Is there anything I need to know to prepare my body for waxing?
About 2 to 3 days before your waxing appointment, you need to keep in mind two things. Stay out of the sun and exfoliate. Do not do any sunbathing or have any sun exposure for 48 hours before your appointment. Also, two or three days before your scheduled waxing, you need to gently scrub the area to be waxed with an exfoliator. Be sure it’s a mild exfoliator and you do not scrub too much. Then, on the day of the waxing, just cleanse your body as usual, without exfoliating, and rinse thoroughly, avoiding body products like lotions, deodorant, perfume, powders, and oils. These products must be avoided as they can cause discomfort and irritation to the skin during or after the waxing process.
Q. Will the waxing process be painful?
Honestly, the actual waxing process may cause a bit of discomfort or may sting a bit. People all have levels of pain that they can handle. Keep in mind that the first waxing will be the most uncomfortable as there is more hair to remove. Each time you visit your esthetician for the next waxing in your schedule, you will experience less discomfort. It’s hard to judge how much pain or discomfort is involved, but there wouldn’t be so many women choosing this method of hair removal if it was unbearable. One thing to know is that your skin is most sensitive during your period, so avoid scheduling a waxing during your period, or, for that matter, any time your skin is under any stress.
Q. Do I take my panties off if I’m getting a bikini line wax?
If you are not comfortable removing your underwear, you certainly may leave them on. Your esthetician is a professional and should make sure you are comfortable at all times and that you understand the procedure. Discuss your unease, if any, before your waxing procedure begins. For a regular bikini wax you will be provided with disposable underwear to wear during the service which makes it easier for the esthetician. Your esthetician should also discuss with you where you would like your bikini line to fall. Of course, if at any time you do not feel at ease with your esthetician, be sure to discuss your unease. However, if the unease continues you will want to find an esthetician that makes you feel more comfortable with your waxing experience.
Q. What about post-waxing skin care?
After each waxing appointment, give your skin a break. Stay out of the sun for at least 24 hours and do not climb into a tanning bed for at least 48 hours or more. Your skin is a bit stressed and will not like any alcohol based products, perfumes, lotions, powders, or oils. As a matter of fact, your skin will let you know in no uncertain terms that it wishes to be babied a little. Most any product you normally put on your skin will burn if you try to use it on your freshly waxed skin, so avoid these products for about a day or two.
Q. Once I get into a routine, how long can I go between waxings without seeing hair?
Depending on how long you’ve been maintaining a waxing routine and how fast your hair normally grows, you could be relatively hairless for anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. The longer you’ve been waxing at regularly scheduled visits, the longer your hair will take to reappear. However, during the first 3 sessions, most people experience rather unnerving hair growth that was not expected. Hair actually grows in cycles; so the hair you see today is removed but there is hair under the surface that is waiting until tomorrow or the day after to make an appearance. After about the 3rd waxing, you’ll notice that we’ve caught up with your scattered hair growing intervals, and now all the hair has had a chance to be removed at least once. Now each waxing should result in fewer hairs, and longer times between waxing appointments.
If you haven’t decided yet whether you should try waxing, you may want to ask yourself a few questions. When’s the last time you threw on a skirt or pair of shorts without worrying about the last time you shaved? Are you constantly sneaking a peek at your bikini bottoms trying to see if there’s anything peeking back at you? You may consider waxing as a way to finally relax and quit worrying and wondering whether or not anyone will notice you haven’t shaved. Getting rid of that razor, and razor burns, and cuts, is reason enough to call your esthetician and discuss the possibilities of waxing.