3 days ago
Waxers Are Sharing The Things They Really, Really Wish You Would Stop Doing Before Your Appointment
Getting a wax — whether on your eyebrows, legs or more sensitive areas — is far from comfortable. The pain is unavoidable and can even cause your eyes to tear up.
The good news, though, is that there are steps you can take (or rather, avoid) before your appointment to make the process easier, shorter, more effective and less painful.
Ahead, waxers share what they would wish clients would stop doing before their appointment for their own sakes — and it's not 'coming when you're on your period.'
1. Applying Heavy Oils And Numbing Creams
If you like to put these on your skin, that's understandable. But unfortunately, they can complicate the process when you apply them on the day of your appointment.
'The more of a barrier you have on the skin, the more we must remove before waxing,' explained Deidra Green, a licensed esthetician and the VP of field performance and inclusion at European Wax Center. 'These heavy products can interfere with your results, and it's best to come to your appointment with clean skin.'
Basically, what happens is the wax isn't able to get as good a grip on the hair, so your waxer will have to clean it off (keeping you on the table for longer).
2. Using Retinol
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This ingredient is best avoided, but for a different reason than you may suspect.
'This can cause skin lifting and irritation,' explained Amber Budd Peterson, a licensed advanced practice esthetician in Minnesota with over 13 years of experience, and the founder of the Spa by Amber Budd Atelier. (Skin lifting is — brace yourself — when skin comes up with the wax and leaves a red mark.)
She added that at her spa, if someone is using retinol, the waxers only tweeze — which 'doesn't allow for the cleanest lines and shape.'
If you need to use retinol for acne or wrinkles, she recommended stopping its use at least seven days before your facial wax and letting your waxer know so they can provide a safer experience.
3. Exfoliating Too Close To Your Wax
It's best to avoid exfoliation, too, at least for the two days before your wax, said Jennifer Guest, a licensed esthetician with nearly 26 years of experience at the Newport Beach and Rancho Santa Margarita luxury day spa called Spa Gregorie's.
'Recently exfoliated skin can be more sensitive and prone to irritation,' she explained.
Exfoliation altogether isn't a complete no-no, however.
'A lack of exfoliation means that ingrown hairs are more likely, and the waxer may have to go over the area multiple times to remove the hair (if using hard wax or sugar),' said Hadiyah Daché, a master esthetician and expert in waxing and sugaring who owns Glowdega in Oakland, California.
She encouraged using an exfoliating product three times a week, plus hydrating the area daily with unscented aloe vera gel. (But again, not within a couple days of your appointment.)
4. Shaving, Trimming Or Tweezing
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While it may seem like you're helping your waxer out, or while you may be tempted to do this in between appointments as hairs come in, it's not the solution you might think it is.
'To get the smoothest wax possible, your hair needs to be at least the length of a grain of rice,' Green said, warning that too-short hairs could get left behind. 'Don't be embarrassed if it's longer than that, though!'
Guest agreed that trimming can particularly 'interfere with optimal results,' especially with your eyebrows, because 'over-trimming can be difficult to correct.'
Besides leading to a lesser wax — and one that requires a quicker follow-up appointment — you also risk ingrown hairs, according to Daché. Ingrown hairs are raised, painful bumps on the skin.
5. Wearing Thongs, Leggings, Or Clothing That's Tight In That Area
Sure, athleisure and a thong are a quick way to feel both cute and comfortable, but they can cause problems post-wax.
'This creates chafing and can cause hyperpigmentation in the bikini area,' Daché said. 'The irritation can also lead to complications as the result of a wax.'
Instead, she encouraged wearing the opposite: loose clothing and boxer brief-style underwear.
6. Working Out Or Hitting The Sauna Beforehand
A self-care day may not feel complete without a Pilates or sauna session, but don't schedule it before your wax.
'Coming in right after a workout or sauna session can increase sensitivity and make it harder to keep the skin dry during waxing,' Guest said. 'For best results, arrive clean, cool and dry.'
7. Drinking Too Much Alcohol The Day Of Or The Night Before
Alcohol doesn't only lead to extra anxiety the next day — it can also cause waxing-related problems.
'This can lead to more potential for bruising, sensitivity and even potential bleeding,' Peterson said. It also just generally makes your skin look worse.
Mocktails are a better choice, she continued, or if you're going to drink alcohol, avoid it 24 hours before your appointment for best results.
While these tips aren't necessarily the most fun, they will provide a longer-lasting, smoother wax — which is worth it, right?This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
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