Monday, April 4, 2016

Rosie Says: Waxing 101

There are some waxing basics that everyone needs to know when planning to go hairless this summer.

1. Check the length of your hair. The best length for waxing is generally 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. This is about 3 weeks of growth.

2. Exfoliate. Use a loofah, exfoliating cream or washcloth and rub in circular motions. You want to remove any dead skin cells that may clog the hair follicle and cause ingrown hairs. Avoid irritating your skin by rubbing too hard. Don't exfoliate the day you wax. It will only cause more sensitivity and redness.

Avoid waxing when skin is more sensitive. It's best not to wax when your skin has had a lot of sun exposure or when you have used aggressive skin care products (such as AHA or retinoid treatments).

Give your skin about a week after any of these before you wax.

3. Consider a pain reliever. Taking an oral anti-inflammatory about an hour before waxing will not only keep the skin from swelling, but it will also alleviate some of the pain associated with waxing. This is optional and at your discretion. Some salons also sell topical pain relievers that you can spray or rub onto the skin. These take a minimum of 15 minutes to start working. If they are oily at all, you will need to cleanse your skin again before waxing.

4. Stay out of the sun 24 hours before and after your waxing service.

5. Moisturize your skin again after waxing and avoid sun. Freshly waxed skin burns more easily.

Till next time, 
Rosie