Waxing Aftercare
Before your Wax
Whether it’s your very first wax or your 100th visit, waxing can be slightly painful, both at the time and for a short time afterwards.
A couple of tips to lessen the pain (and increase the longevity of the hair free feeling).
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If you’re really worried about the pain, and haven’t had waxing before then take 1 or 2 paracetamol about 30-40 minutes before your appointment. This can help reduce the surface discomfort.
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Make sure your hair is long enough to remove completely from the roots – it should be at least 0.5 centimeters. If you’ve shaved the area within the last few weeks it might take a couple of waxes to get your hair into a cycle of growth that allows the most effective wax finish.
Immediately after your wax
It’s normal immediately after your wax for a little bit of redness and a prickly heat type rash to appear. This should disappear after a few hours and is normally due to a histamine reaction. Because waxing removes the hair at the root, it’s important that you keep the area clean and bacteria free. This means:
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No sunbathing for at least 24 hours (have your waxing done at least the day BEFORE you go on holiday)
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No swimming in a chlorinated pool for 24 hours - same for spa baths or saunas
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Avoid applying any topical lotions (including fake tan) for at least 12 hours (fragrances and other lubricants can cause a burning sensation)
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Also avoid touching the waxed area to ensure it remains bacteria free
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Wear loose-fitting clothing that will not rub on the area
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No excessive heat to the area for 24 hours
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No gym workouts or sweating for 24 hours
3-10 Days after waxing
As your skin closes over the follicles, the next consideration is to ensure you prevent ingrown hairs. This is when new, often softer hair can get trapped under the skin. A few simple measures can easily avoid this situation. Here’s where the “do’s” come in:
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Use a soft brush or exfoliating glove to gently buff the area every 2-3 days – this is particularly important after about day 3 through to about the 10 day mark. It doesn’t need to be hard scrubbing, just a gentle exfoliation.
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Use an in-shower product like Bump eRaiser Zesty Wash, or Bump Eraiser Concentrated Serum to apply over the area after showering. These products are specifically formulated with natural fruit acids for ingrown hairs & razor bumps. It soothes irritated skin and helps prevent ingrown hairs from developing. It is suitable for all areas of the body to control ingrown hairs.
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The added bonus of following the aftercare advice (apart from your skin looking hair-free and smooth for longer), is that it really will make your next wax a whole lot quicker and less painful.
How long will your wax last?
If you’re a first-time or occasional waxer you will likely notice some new hair growth within 2-3 weeks due to the naturally staggered hair growth cycle. This part of regrowth will be sparse, about one-third of the hair normally present. Soon after the remaining hair will begin growing in.
Regular waxing will leave the area hair free for 3 – 6 weeks. Over time the density of hair in the waxed area may start to decrease as well.
For long term improvements, book-in for regular treatments (every 4-6 weeks). You may notice a small amount of re-growth after a week or so. It can take up to four treatments for your hair to get on a growth cycle that gives best results. Hair needs to be at least 5mm long before it can be successfully removed by waxing so do not shave between treatments.
Please follow the after treatment guidelines above to ensure your skin is cared for properly.
Please note: slight soreness, small bumps and redness are common and perfectly normal temporary reactions, particularly if this is your first wax.
You can apply antiseptic cream, aloe vera gel and/or ice to the treated area following your treatment to help alleviate these.
Always wash your hands before applying any product.