Waxing is a fantastic option for eliminating unwanted hair all over the body.
Unfortunately, waxing is painful.
If you want to prevent that pain, consider this list of what not to do before your waxing appointment.
While everyone’s body and skin react differently, these general rules can greatly reduce pain during and after the waxing process.
Don’t Drink Alcohol or Caffeine
Depending on when your waxing appointment is, you may have the opportunity to drink alcohol or caffeine beforehand.
While there’s nothing wrong with a relaxing drink or morning cup of coffee on most days, both liquids can make your skin more sensitive.
Wait until after your appointment to enjoy that drink. If you need your regular cup of coffee in the morning, give yourself at least two hours between your last sip and your waxing appointment.
This delay will decrease the risk of sensitivity and move the caffeine out of your system.
Don’t Exfoliate the Week
Exfoliation is wonderful for your skin, removing old dead skin cells and allowing your new skin to breathe and stay soft.
Exfoliating also helps to prevent ingrown hairs, and you can exfoliate even if you wax often. Proper skin preparation prior to waxing is vital for achieving a successful experience.
However, exfoliation isn’t part of proper skin prep. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, but it also leaves your skin somewhat raw.
Applying wax to that raw skin will cause pain and can lead to infections since the skin has less of a protective barrier.
Wait until several days after your waxing appointment to start exfoliating again.
Don’t Moisturize the Morning
We know that dry skin is prevalent in the winter, but refrain from moisturizing the area you plan to wax the morning of your waxing appointment.
While your skin needs a healthy barrier between it and the wax, moisturizing can make your hair slippery, which makes it harder to remove.
Your wax artist can reapply hard wax to certain areas to remove any stubborn hair, but the reapplication of warm wax can cause irritation.
Skip your moisturizer and allow your wax artist to use a pre-depilatory oil at the beginning of your appointment instead.
There are a lot of dos and don’ts you need to follow before your waxing appointment if you want that appointment to be effective.
While these three aren’t the only things to avoid prior to waxing, they are the ones that can most affect how painful the waxing process is.
Take care of your skin before your appointment, and ask a professional for advice to ensure you’re doing everything you can for a safe, effective wax.
Making the right choices beforehand can improve your results and your experience!