Have you ever looked at your legs or arms and thought, “Ugh I wish I could just rip all this hair right off!”? We’ve all been there. Dealing with body hair can be a constant nuisance.
While shaving seems like the quick and easy option, it only works for a few days before prickly regrowth appears. Going the professional waxing route offers longer-lasting smoothness, but can get pricey over time.
What if I told you waxing at home could give you the same salon-quality results at a fraction of the cost? *Enter: wax strips.*
These ready-to-use pre-coated strips let you wax in the comfort of your home on your own schedule. No heating messy wax required! While the process has a learning curve, trust me when I say it’s life changing once you get the technique down.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know – from prep to aftercare – to get the hair-free glowy skin of your dreams with wax strips. Get ready to bare it all!
Understanding Wax Strips
Before we dive in, let’s cover the basics. **Wax strips** are thin strips of fabric or paper that have a layer of bead wax applied evenly to both sides. Often the formula also contains ingredients like oils, aloe vera and azulene to moisturize skin and reduce irritation.
Here’s the science behind how they remove hair: The strip adheres to the hairs when pressed onto your skin. As you pull it off, the wax encapsulates the hairs and lifts them directly from the follicle. So unlike shaving which only cuts hair at the surface, waxing actually pulls it out by the root.
This waxing and ripping motion can sound scary, but going the at-home route with strips means you use milder **soft gel** waxes that are gentler on skin versus hot hard waxes. The finished result is satiny smooth skin that lasts **3-6 weeks.** Not to mention, over time regular waxing damages the hair follicle so regrowth gets finer and sparser. Sold yet?
Wax strips come ready to use out-of-the-package for nearly any body part you can imagine. You’ll find targeted ones for your **face, underarms, legs, bikini area** and more. Choosing the right formula and size for each area is key to waxing success.
Compared to salon waxing, strips provide some nice advantages:
* Cost effective – after your initial purchase, you’ll save major money not paying for appointments
* Convenient – wax anytime on your personal schedule
* Less pain – you control how hard and fast the strip gets ripped off
* Low commitment – only wax when you want silky skin for vacations or special occasions
The biggest downside is a potential learning curve. But have no fear, the comprehensive tips throughout this guide will have you waxing like a pro in no time!
Preparing Your Skin
Before waxing, it’s crucial to prep your skin properly so the strips can adhere and pull out hairs effectively.
The first rule of waxing: hair length matters. Your strands need to be at **least 1⁄4 inch long**, but no more than **3⁄4 inch long** for the wax to fully encapsulate around the follicle. Using an electric trimmer, maintain hair between this “**sweet spot**” length leading up to your session. Waiting about 2 weeks between waxings achieves this perfect range for great results.
It’s also vital to know what *not* to put on your skin prior. Using skin care products with **retinol** can make your complexion thin and delicate, raising chances the wax will tear your skin. Discontinue anything with retinol or retinoids like prescription **Accutane** for 1 month beforehand.
Gently **exfoliating** and washing the area 24 hours prior removes dead skin cells and oils that can obstruct the wax from sticking well. Just don’t overdo it right beforehand, as scrubbing right before can increase irritation.
If your skin tends to get red or sensitive with waxing, take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen an hour beforehand to dull discomfort. You can also apply an ice pack to the area for 5 minutes pre-wax to numb things up. Hey, when it comes to waxing, I’ll take all the help I can get!
Using Wax Strips Step-By-Step
Once prepped, it’s go time! Make sure you clear off a table or steady surface that allows you to comfortably contort into the needed positions. Have clean paper towels or cloths on hand to wipe up excess wax. Lighting is crucial – set up near a sunny window, bright bathroom vanity lights or flashlight so you get clear visibility.
Pick an area of your body that’s easy to reach to start, like your legs or arms. Open your brand new wax strip kit and review all instructions first. Pay close attention to the step involving heating or activating the wax, as each formula differs slightly. Some need rubbing between warm hands for friction, while others require no prep before applying.
Do a small 1-inch **test strip** on an inconspicuous part of skin, like upper thigh or arm. This checks for any irritation or reaction before you wax a larger zone. If excessive redness or stinging occurs, discontinue use. But if everything looks and feels fine, smooth sailing ahead!
Once prepped, pick your first area for silky transformation. Spread the strip lengthwise along the direction of hair growth and use your hand to adhere the whole strip flat against skin, allowing the wax to permeate down into the follicles. Then place one hand across the skin, pulling it taut. In one swift motion, flick your other hand holding the strip upward against the direction of hair growth.
The key with strips is speed! The quicker you pull, the better for removing more hair cleanly at the root without breaking hairs. Slow, tentative pulling only causes extra ouch. Prevent Using excessive forceful pressure is also key, as ripping skin can lead to bruising or scarring over time.
After glancing at the used strip and seeing those lovely trapped hairs means success! But don’t toss it out just yet. You can gently smooth and re-press the used strip over the area 2 more times to grab any strays. Just avoid repeating more than 3 total presses over one section to prevent irritation.
Apply additional fresh strips side-by-side, working methodically to cover all areas needing hair removal. Don’t worry about overlaps either. Waxing the same area more than once won’t cause adverse effects. When finishing tricky parts like knees and ankles, cut strips in half or into smaller pieces so they mold around the zones better.
Aftercare and Maintenance
You survived! Reward yourself with a glass of wine later. But first, caring for your skin post-wax is imperative to prevent issues like ingrown hairs or breakouts down the line.
Use paper towel to wipe any excess wax residue remaining on skin. Most strip waxes today formulate with **water-soluble** bases, so you can gently cleanse the area with a damp warm cloth. **Oil-based** waxes also exist which require applying mineral oil to dissolve.
Pat your skin completely dry, and avoid taking hot showers or baths immediately after that can irritate things. I know you’ll want to show off your sexy new skin ASAP, but try to wait 6 hours before sunbathing to allow inflammation to subside.
Lastly, lightly dust on an **oil-free moisturizer** containing hydrating glycerin or aloe vera rather than thick creams. This prevents pores from getting clogged beneath dead skin cells shed post-wax. My favorite moisturizing tip? Stick strips in the fridge! Applying a cold strip helps constrict pores and infuse skin-soothing ingredients. Aaah, sweet relief!
In between waxes every 3 to 6 weeks, gently scrub skin with a loofa or exfoliating gloves twice a week to prevent ingrown hairs. Just don’t over-exfoliate to the point of irritation and dryness. For pesky spots, a mild glycolic acid toner helps keep pores clear.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While less risky than DIY sugaring or melting hard wax at home, strip waxing does still come with a few nuances.
If you notice painful, red bumps of inflamed hair follicles post-wax, you likely pulled some hairs below the skin surface. Resist picking! Just allow them to grow out over 2 weeks. Soaking in an oatmeal bath soothes the area wonderfully.
Conversely, black dots showing on your skin could be hairs broken off below the surface. Use a warm washcloth compress for 10 minutes to draw them out, then *gently* tweeze using a sterilized slanted tip. Never dig around under the skin!
Pesky stray hairs refusing to budge? Re-waxing the *exact* same spot repeatedly only leads to irritation. Instead, allow stubble to grow another week before gently scrubbing with an Italy towel to lift hairs. This avoids redness so they release easier next wax.
If you notice skin lifting or tearing, wax may be too hot for you. Opt for softer **cold wax** strips using milder resin formulas. Slowing down pull speed, plus regularly moisturizing skin improves elasticity over time.
For the redness-prone ladies out there, take an antihistamine tablet beforehand to prevent hives or swelling. Applying hydrocortisone cream post-wax also quickly reduces inflammation.
And if all else fails making wax strips work for you? Laser hair removal or chemical depilatories like Nair provide more tolerable options long-term.
Hair-Free Happiness Awaits
I hope after taking this comprehensive wax strip journey with me, you feel ready to free yourself from annoying body hair!
Sure, the process has a learning curve. But with the right products, preparation, techniques and troubleshooting, you can master at-home waxing to keep your skin satiny smooth for weeks at a time. Not to mention save major money and time.
Here’s to flaunting those gorgeous bare limbs on your next vacation or night out on the town! No stubbly regrowth in sight. Let me know if any other pesky waxing questions pop up along the way! Until then, happy hair removal.