The Wonderful World of Waxing
Everything you need to know about getting a wax.
How long can you expect a wax to last?
Body waxing lasts anywhere from 3-6 weeks, depending on a few key factors:
Your hair and it’s growth cycles.
How long you’ve been getting waxed.
What it is that you are waxing.
For most clients, I recommend waiting 3-4 weeks before you come in for your next body wax appointment. You’ll want to make sure the hair is about ¼ inch long to allow for the wax to adequately remove the hair. If your hair is too short there is a chance not all of it will be removed, so this part is critical. Over time, if you are consistent with waxing the amount of time between your appointments will increase.
Insider tips for your first time getting waxed.
It is important to know that after your first couple of times getting waxed, your skin can feel or appear inflamed for up to 24 hours after. I highly recommend getting your wax 2-3 days before any trip or special event so your skin will have time to return to normal and will appear silky and smooth.
When coming in for your first wax, it is preferred that the hair in the area being waxed is a bit longer, as it will be more coarse and stubborn from consistently shaving. The greater length will provide more surface area for the wax to cling to and make it easier to remove.
Make sure to check out Tips for a Painless Wax before making your first appointment!
Types of Wax and how to choose which will work best for your hair and skin type.
Soft Wax.
Soft wax is my personal favorite. I find that it works the most effectively for all hair types and removes even the finest little hairs that hard wax may not even pull up. I use a creamy, gentle wax designed for anyone with sensitive skin. If needed I will use a combo of the soft wax and hard wax depending on the hair or sensitivity of the area. Unlike hard waxes that dry within seconds, when soft wax is applied to the skin it does not dry. You must apply a fabric strip to the wax, hold down the skin and remove it quickly to pull the hair. Quick is key. When using soft wax, I first apply a small amount of grape-seed oil to the skin to create a barrier between the skin and the wax. Applying the grape-seed oil causes the wax to grasp only to the hair and not the skin which makes it less painful when pulled.
Hard Wax.
Hard wax has its benefits. It is effective for certain types of hair and many people find it to be less painful. This is why I will often use it in sensitive areas. In my experience, hard wax works best with longer coarser hair that the wax can easily cling to. Sometimes if a client comes in with really outgrown hair, I will start with a hard wax to eliminate all the longer coarser hairs first and finish with a soft wax to get that perfectly smooth clean finish. When hard wax is applied to the skin it quickly dries and hardens, and the wax itself is what is pulled and removed. There is no need to use a fabric strip when using hard wax.
Sugar Wax.
Sugar wax is controversial. Some believe it is less painful than soft or hard waxes and choose to use it for the body’s more sensitive areas. However, in my experience I do not feel that it is always successful at grasping every single little hair in the area being waxed. It seems to work best for coarser hair but can neglect smaller, finer hairs. I personally do not believe it is less painful or better for the skin as some may think. It’s all up to preference. The biggest difference between sugar wax and other waxes, is that it is applied in the opposite direction of the hair growth.
The Do’s and Don’ts after a wax.
Do not shave or tweeze in between appointments. Shaving your hair between wax cycles can cause the hair to grow back thicker and coarser which typically results in a more painful wax next time around. Tweezing between appointments can also throw off your hair’s growth cycle which may cause certain areas to grow in unevenly.
Do Exfoliate!
Exfoliating between appointments is essential to preventing ingrowns. It will also help your hair to grow in more evenly by preventing them from getting stuck in clogged follicles. Removing dry, dead skin allows the hair to easily come up through the skin’s surface so it can be properly pulled from the root when you’re ready for your next wax.
Yours truly,
Amada Flores
Founder of Melt West
Ready to make a wax appointment? Schedule your gentle, fast, and thorough wax today at Melt West.