It’s time to welcome the summer season and bring out your bikinis and short shorts you’ve been waiting to wear for ages. For some, this also means thinking about ways to remove the hair all over your exposed skin, such as shaving or waxing. And while a nice razor and shaving can do the job right, sometimes waxing proves to be the better hair removal method.
Waxing removes more hair with faster speed than shaving and ensures noticeably more extended periods of smoothness. And sure, waxing at home can be pretty convenient, but it won’t give you the same outcome you usually see at the salon. So, if you’re looking for a completely safe and hygienic means of hair removal, asking for professional assistance is probably the best option.
But while doing it at home is a little terrifying, getting waxed at the salon is also very expensive. So for those looking for the hows of getting the best results from waxing, here are some tips for you.
1. Don’t Wait Until Your Hairs Grew Too Long
You might hesitate to wax due to the dreadful grow-out stage where you wait until the hair is long enough to be lifted by the wax. But you no longer have to worry as new, high-tech wax formulas can pick up hair that is as short as 2-4 millimeters.
2. Prep Your Skin Well
It’s essential to exfoliate your skin before waxing to ensure you achieve the best results, but do it one or two days beforehand; otherwise, you risk heightened irritation. Use a scrub or loofah to remove the layer of dead skin, as it’ll help the wax grip your hairs much better.
If you’re allergy-prone or have sensitive skin, take ibuprofen or antihistamine 30 minutes before you wax. Don’t ice your skin to numb it, as it’ll constrict the follicle, making the hair harder to take out since the pores were closed.
Once you’re set, wash the area with water and gentle soap, and let it dry completely. Don’t leave any oil or body lotion on your skin, as it will affect the wax’s adherence. But don’t use a disinfectant or toner since that will close the pores up.
3. Wax at the Proper Time
Waxing is a process that takes time, so be sure that you’re not rushing. You have to designate an ample amount of time, say around an hour, to wax properly.
Don’t wax if you’re stressed out, whether it’s because of an exam, a job interview, your period, or a big deadline. When you’re anxious, tense, having your menstrual period, or stressed, the discomfort is intensified immensely since the nerve endings become more acute.
Always be sure to wax in a warm environment, as you’ll want the follicles to relax. The more relaxed they are, the easier your hair slides out.
4. Pick the Correct Wax
For those waxing for the first time, it’s highly recommended that you use wax strips since they are already pre-coated with wax, and all you need to do is warm the strips up, then separate them, and each strip will contain the proper amount of wax you require.
If you’re bolder, you can try a sugar-based wax since they’re water-soluble, meaning they rinse off with just water so you won’t have to worry about your tiles or carpet whenever you’re waxing.
5. Wax the Proper Way
First, you must read the instructions that come with the waxing kit you’re using. It’ll contain every instruction, from properly heating the wax to pulling the strips away from your skin. You will want to work with only one strip at a time.
To properly wax, you must first apply the wax following the direction of hair growth and then firmly press down the strip on top. Next, hold the skin using one hand, and use the other to pull the strip in the opposite direction of hair growth. Be sure to pull over, close to your skin and not away.
After removing the strip, put pressure for a few seconds to reduce any discomfort. If you’re waxing a tricky spot such as the underarms, consider asking a friend for help.
6. Take Care of Your Skin Post=Waxing
It’s essential to apply something soothing to your skin after waxing. Consider using azulene oil, as the oily base can calm the redness immediately. It can also remove any residual wax left on the skin.
If you don’t have azulene at home, you can also try soothing your skin with aloe vera gel, and though it won’t dissolve any residual wax, it will slough it off naturally.
Always shrink from tanning and steer clear of moist, warm environments such as pools and hot tubs right after waxing to minimize the risk of getting an infection.
7. Maintain the Results
Ingrown hairs usually come with hair removal. To avoid them, you have to keep moisturizing and exfoliating regularly to prevent any dead skin build-up.
In addition, once you begin waxing, you should follow a consistent schedule. Usually, hair grows back in around four to six weeks, so if you waxed at the sixth week, don’t wait until you reached the eighth week to do the next one.