Tips for waxing!
1. Please prepare before you bare.
To get the best results and to achieve silky soft skin, you need to prepare it pre-wax. Gently exfoliate and moisturize a week or two before your salon appointment as this will help the hairs break through, and be easier to be pulled out from the root. You don't need to use anything expensive, just a soft dry body brush or exfoliating scrub.
2. Shaving is the enemy.
If you want to remain hair-free for as long as possible, you really should grow the hair for three to four weeks before getting waxed. That means NO shaving in between – if you don't let it grow long enough then not only will it really hurt when you're being waxed, but you won't get a smooth finish, and the hair will start to grow back before you know it.
3. Leave it to a pro or risk bruising.
Don't try to wax yourself at home unless you've done it many times before, as you'll end up with bruised skin. By the time you pay out for the home waxing kits (and get wax all over the bedroom), it's really not worth it.
4. Choose a skilled waxer.
ALL salons offer waxing but not all of them do it well. A Brazilian wax shouldn't be intimidating, but you'll want to find a therapist who's had specific training – shockingly most therapists have had no proper training in Brazilian waxing at all. You shouldn't have to ask for thoroughness – experts do this every day so just leave it all to them.
5. Only accept hot wax.
Check that your salon uses only HOT wax on sensitive areas such as the bikini, underarms and face. Some salons will say they do and when you get there they use strip wax. Hot wax is a thick wax that they apply and then remove with just their hand. Strip wax is wonderful but shouldn't be used on the areas mentioned as it's not as gentle, and can leave you feeling sore. If they don't use hot wax on bikini, Hollywood or Brazilian waxing then run for the hills.
6. Don't swim for 24 hours.
If you've had a pre-holiday wax, keep up the moisturizing while you're away as pool and seawater can be very drying. Follow your salon's aftercare advice and don't go swimming until 24hrs after your waxing to avoid infections.
7. Be VERY careful when sunbathing.
Whatever you do, DO NOT expose the waxed body parts to the sun until 24-48 hours after your waxing as this sensitive skin will easily burn and you could be left with permanent pigmentation marks (dark brown patches). If you start to feel freshly waxed areas tingling when sunbathing then apply a higher SPF, this is especially important on the upper lip.
8. How to deal with ingrown hairs.
Red lumps under the skin indicate ingrown hairs, which can happen if the hairs were broken when waxed (all the more reason to find a good waxer!), or a result of poor aftercare, so practice gentle exfoliation as advised by your salon. If you get ingrowers, treat them with treatment pads like the Bliss Ingrown Hairs Eliminating Pads ($28).
9. Try products to slow down the hair between appointments.
There aren't any products that will stop growth altogether, but there are some that will certainly slow hair growth. Use a 'hair retardant' product, and you'll find that it will take longer for the hair to start growing back.
10. Look behind you!
Remember that there are two sides to every story and in this case I'm talking about your backside. A good bikini wax should remove the hair from your buttocks and the inside of your butt.
