Must you ask?? I mean, there is no dumb question and ultimately either one will get the job done but Summer is here and tis the season for waxing everythang!! Or at least try. Waxing does take a little more strategy and planning and consistency. Believe me I know this to be a personal issue as well but once you are on an intentional schedule, it gets easier plus it looks and feels better and is better for the skin overall especially in the underarm area. Shaving creates a shadow and hyperpigmentation which clears up with consistent waxing (or even hair laser removal). I did laser on my underarms years ago and although touch ups are needed, it decreased a great deal of the hair thickness and my skin cleared up because I’ve only waxed that area ever since.
Its far as doing waxing, outside of facial waxing, I’m more of a facial giving girl, howeverrr, I can wax the body and do Brazilian waxing like nobody’s business! So, there are a few things I think you should know before and after your waxing service. A little waxing 101, if you will. Here goes it….
Unless you want lifted skin that takes weeks to heal, wait 7 days to get waxed after taking your topical face medications such as Retin A, which is a strong prescription chemical exfoliator that removes old dead skin and lessens fine lines, wrinkles and helps alleviate minor acne and/or congested skin (also comes in non-prescription strengths but you still need to wait).
You cannot get waxed while taking Accutane, no ifs, ands or buts about that.
Hydrate, nothing worse than waxing dry, dehydrated skin for you and the waxer. The wax tends to sick to you like bees to honey. Forego the coffee before walking into your Esthetician’s treatment room, please.
Exfoliate, this lifts dead skin so hair lifts easily with the wax. Do so a couple times per week and right before getting waxed. Wait 24 to 48 hours after waxing to exfoliate the waxed areas again.
Let your hair grow to the length of a grain of rice or a tad bit longer but not too long or it just hurts more. The longer the hair the more grip it has on the wax itself when lifted off. That’s not so fun.
Your first wax is the hardest. Waxing doesn’t get easy but it gets eas-i-e-r and your hair becomes ‘trained’ and thins a bit and sometimes doesn’t grow back with consistent waxing. However everyone is different.
Also, on your very first wax or after waiting a long amount of time between waxes, (because of the 3 phases of hair growth cycles that your hair goes through), it may not all come up or it will but hair will grow back soon after because it was just under the surface before you were waxed. After 3-4 waxes it should all grow together and come out together.
Wax every 3-6 weeks depending on your personal hair growth cycle and area, not all areas grow at the same rate. Sometimes 2 weeks is enough for facial areas like the eyebrows and upper lip.
Treat ingrown hair problems with tea tree or peppermint body oil. Shea Moisture has an African Black Soap Toner with Tamarind and Tea Tree that I personally use to clear up irritation from ingrown hairs post waxing or irritation in general. You can find it at Target. Ingrowns can be quite deep and long lasting so incorporate preventive products into your skincare routine on a consistent basis. There are also an array of products for pre-wax exfoliating and post-wax ingrown hairs so experiment as you please.
Services with me at House of Vine in West Midtown Atlanta coming soon! I’m so excited to serve you and can.not.wait!!
Love, Peace and Beauty!
XO, Lysandra Joy
Any other questions about waxing or skincare dilemmas? Please post below or contact me via my contact page.
Esthetician & Beauty Expert 