Get Your Skin Ready: The Complete Checklist on What to do Before Waxing
So you’ve decided to get waxed! Way to go – smooth, hairless skin awaits. But before you show up to your waxing appointment, there are some important steps you should take to prep your skin. Consider this your pre-waxing checklist.
Follow these tips properly, and you’ll have the best waxing experience possible. Ignore them, and you risk irritation, breakouts, ingrown hairs, and more waxing woes. So let’s make sure you do waxing the *right* way.
When’s the Right Time to Book Your Wax?
Waxing works by pulling hair from the roots. So your hair needs to be long enough for the wax to latch onto it. Experts recommend letting your hair grow to around 1⁄4 inch or the size of a grain of rice before booking your wax.
**Pro tip:** Use a ruler or take a peek with a magnifying mirror if you want to get technical. Most of us just guesstimate though!
Now, it’s understandable to want silky smooth skin, like, yesterday. But resist the urge to shave in between waxes! Shaving creates blunt ends on hairs which the wax can’t grasp properly.
Stick to waxing every 3-4 weeks to align with your hair’s growth cycle. It usually takes 4-6 waxing appointments before all your hair synchronizes. After that, you can enjoy 4 weeks of freedom before you need your next wax!
And for special events like vacations or big parties, be sure to pre-book your wax 1-2 weeks in advance at your favorite salon. You don’t want to be stuck with hairy legs on your big night!
Exfoliate Your Way to Better Waxing
One of the most vital parts of pre-wax prep is exfoliating. Gently sloughing away dead, dry skin paves the path for smoother waxing and better results.
***Why Bother Exfoliating?***
Exfoliating lifts and loosens debris and skin cells on the surface of your skin, revealing the healthy cells underneath.
It sweeps away dullness to renew your skin’s radiance too. Who doesn’t love a good glow?
More importantly, removing the dead skin creates a clean canvas for the wax to grip onto. If you skip exfoliating, you run the risk of the wax failing to attach properly to hairs. And no one wants a patchy wax job!
***When Should You Exfoliate?***
**Ideally, you’ll want to exfoliate 1-2 times per week in the lead-up to your appointment.** Exfoliating right beforehand risks irritating freshly waxed skin.
***What’s the Best Way to Exfoliate Before Waxing?***
**Gentle scrubs with soft microbeads or chemical exfoliants like glycolic acid work wonderfully.** They slough away dead cells without being too harsh on your skin.
And for a completely fuss-free option, *exfoliating cloths* give you perfect manual exfoliation every time. Just be sure to soak the cloth in water first and use delicate circular motions.
Keep Your Skin Clean – But Don’t Overdo It!
Now that you’ve polished away dull, dead skin, it’s time to cleanse. Cleansing clears away excess oil, bacteria, and product buildup that could interfere with the wax.
However, you don’t want to over-wash your skin either. That could strip away protective oils that keep your skin’s moisture barrier intact.
**Stick to cleansing just 1-2 times daily in the lead-up to your appointment.** Use a gentle cleanser without sulfates, parabens, or fragrances which tends to be less drying. And be sure to moisturize straight after to restore hydration!
Oh, and *avoid lotions, creams, oils, and serums* on the day of your wax. These create a barrier that makes it harder for wax to grip hair properly.
And no sweaty gym sessions either! Sweat, dirt, and grime reduce wax effectiveness majorly. Plan your barre class the day after instead.
***When it comes to wax prep, clean skin is key. But don’t go overboard with harsh products. Taking things slow and steady wins the race!***
Got Sensitive Skin? Pick Products Wisely!
If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, exercise extra caution with your skincare routine leading up to waxing day.
**Avoid using alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs like glycolic acid) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs like salicylic acid) for 2 weeks beforehand.** These ultra-effective ingredients help resurface skin beautifully. But they also make you more prone to irritation which is the last thing your want right now!
The same goes for retinoids like prescription retinols and OTC retinol creams or serums. Avoid them for at least 1 week prior.
***Pro tip: Do a patch test before waxing to check for reactions!***
Simply apply a wax strip to your inner arm and gently peel it off. This tests how your skin reacts. Wait 24 hours and if all’s well, you’re good to go waxing!
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Show Up Prepared! Your Pre-Appointment Checklist
You’ve prepped your skin perfectly and your hair has grown out enough. Now it’s go time!
Use this handy pre-appointment checklist to show up ready and avoid any waxing woes:
***Come Early***
Arrive 10-15 minutes before your appointment time. That gives you a buffer just in case you hit traffic or have trouble finding parking.
You’ll also have time to relax in the waiting room, use the restroom, and fill in any forms. No last-minute rushing around – being chilled out and zen sets the tone for a smooth waxing sesh!
***BYOTP (Bring Your Own Toilet Paper)***
Use the bathroom before your wax because it’s unlikely you’ll want to peel off a strip to take a potty break!
And while you’re at it, wipe down there thoroughly with some TP. Lingering residue can make waxing trickier.
***Take Meds If You Need – But Inform Your Technician***
If you know you have a low pain tolerance, an Advil 30 minutes beforehand can help dial down discomfort. Just be sure to tell your esthetician about any meds or medical conditions.
***Wear Loose Comfy Clothes***
Avoid tight skinny jeans and bodycons directly after waxing. The friction could irritate your tender skin. Breathable loose linen pants or soft cotton shorts are your best bet.
Go commando or wear loose undies as well. Tight elastic rubbing on your freshly waxed bikini line doesn’t sound fun!
***Ask Any Burning Questions***
First-timers might feel nervous or have queries about the process. That’s totally normal!
Run through any medical considerations that could affect your wax, ask how your esthetician handles pain management, and don’t be shy to ask questions during the process too.
Breeze Through Your Appointment
Okay, it’s go time! You’ve done all the prep work perfectly and now you get to lie back and get pampered.
As your technician gets to work waxing away, stay cool as a cucumber. **Controlled deep breathing instantly dials down tension.**
Chat to your esthetician too – laughing and having a good time helps the minutes fly by! Before you know it, you’ll be rocking super smooth skin.
**Waxing is way quicker than shaving when you think about it.** No nicked knees or razor burn to deal with either.
***And just like that – you’re done!*** That wasn’t so bad, was it?
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Stick to the Aftercare Rules for the Best Results
You made it! Cheers to your first waxing experience. But the work doesn’t stop once you leave the salon. *Aftercare is crucial for avoiding irritation and helping results last longer.*
Here are some key aftercare tips to follow in the hours and days after waxing:
***Rinse Off Initially***
A cool shower right after waxing calms any residual inflammation and gently cleanses freshly exfoliated skin.
Avoid super hot baths or showers which could provoke irritation. And skip the loofah too – you want to let your skin chill out.
***Avoid Sweat, Friction, and Steam***
After removing hair from the roots, your pores remain open for 24-48 hours. This makes them extra-susceptible to bacteria which could lead to breakouts.
So go easy on workouts, tight clothing, steam rooms and hot tubs which all tend to exacerbate irritation.
You’ll be back to high-intensity spin classes before you know it! Just let your skin fully recover first.
***Care For Your Skin Gently***
Continue cleansing and moisturizing your skin daily, focusing on gentle, soothing ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil and shea butter.
Exfoliate 2-3 times a week as well to prevent ingrown hairs forming. *And whatever you do – don’t shave between waxes!*
***Repeat The Process in 3-4 Weeks***
Over time, waxing continually weakens hair follicles so regrowth takes longer and longer. Stick like glue to your waxing routine every 3-4 weeks.
Before you know it, you’ll see perfect results and silky smooth skin for weeks at a time with zero effort. *How’s that for spontaneity?*
You’re Officially a Waxing Pro!
And there you have it – everything you need to know to prep for waxing like a total boss.
Follow these tried and tested tips to make sure your experience goes off without a hitch. We promise doing the groundwork pays dividends when it comes to waxing success!
We can’t wait for you to see superstar results. Go rock that smooth, sexy skin! Just be sure to come back for your next wax in 3-4 weeks sharp.