Waxing Care Tips

Tips prior to waxing

Do trim the hair
Prior to a Bikini/Brazilian/Perugian wax the hair should be no longer then 1 inch. Trimming the hair insures a more effective and less painful wax.
Do dull the nerves
Take an aspirin or ibuprofen about 30 - 45 minutes before your wax.
Do apply some heat
Take a warm (not hot) shower or use a warm compress just prior to waxing, it will open up the skin pores and allow the hair follicles to come out easier.
Do use a body scrub
While the skin on the face is generally exfoliated enough in terms of waxing, the body needs a little extra help. A somewhat gritty body scrub will help rid dead cells around skin pores and hair follicle, providing an easier exit.
Don't apply astringent or toner
These tighten the pores and can make a firmer hold on the hair follicle. So hold off right before waxing.
Don't use ice for numbing
You might think that ice would be great to numb skin and reduce waxing pain. But applying anything cold to the skin tightens pores. It's the same principle as above; we want pores nice and relaxed.
Don't drink a lot of caffeine or alcohol
While having a couple glass of wine or beer before getting waxed sounds like a great idea, stimulants in the system can cause skin to be extra sensitive to waxing. Give yourself a couple hours after drinking coffee or alcohol before getting waxed.
**If you're a woman who finds the pain of waxing intolerable, try booking in on the first 10 days of your menstrual cycle when your pain threshold is slightly higher.

Tips after waxing

Avoid sun exposure (outdoor/indoor) for minimum 24 hours. Waxing exfoliates the skin and leaves you very susceptible to burning and hyper pigmentation.
Avoid hot showers/baths, saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools and other heated sources for at least 48 hours.
Avoid heavy exercise for at least 10 hours after waxing.
Avoid tight clothing after waxing, especially in the waxed areas. Tight clothing may result in irritation and ingrown hairs.

How to handle ingrowns

You wax, therefore you suffer ingrowns. It's almost that simple. People with dark skin, who wear tight pants, stockings or who have curly hair are more prone to ingrown hairs. Conversely, they're less likely to occur when the wax job has been well done. The other secret to warding off painful and pesky little pustules is to loofah regularly (but don't leave your gloves hanging in the moist shower where bacteria will thrive) and to exfoliate with an AHA exfoliator. Wait 24 hours before exfoliating.

Forcible removal of hair stimulates oil flow to the follicles. This can attract bacteria and a little pustule forms, trapping the hair shaft. But according to those in the know, ingrown hairs is not a case of better out than in. We absolutely do not recommend digging them out. Use an anti-bacterial wash, such as Dermalogica Anti-Bac Skin Wash, to cleanse the area and discourage bacterial growth.

Exfoliate once the hair begins to come through, anywhere between three to five times a week, and daily for the week leading up to your next wax. But go gently. Over-exfoliation can inflame the follicle and cause red, pus-filled bumps that most women can't help but pick. If you use a loofah or gloves, do so under the shower but without soap, which dries the skin. And if you prefer a body scrub, look for one that contains lactic acid or glycolic acid.

Meanwhile, the secret weapon of those in the know is MiN Solution. Applied with a very cool German engineered roller ball containing organic spearmint to clear congested skin, aspirin to exfoliate and propylene glycol to help fight infection.