Below are questions and answers regarding waxing services and frequently asked questions such as pre- and post-care. Please contact us to submit any questions you may have that you do not see here.
Q: Does waxing hurt?
A: It’s certainly no massage, but it’s not exactly torture either. Every person reacts differently to waxing, as we all have different sensitivity levels. Different areas of the body will hurt more than others on certain people. While I can’t promise it won’t hurt, I will do my best to make you comfortable and make the waxing as painless as possible.
Q: How can I make waxing less painful?
A: To make waxing a little less painful, make sure to exfoliate 24 hours prior to your waxing appointment. This can be done easily with clean exfoliating gloves or a silicone bath brush, or with the Fruit Enzyme Exfoliating Pads available for purchase through me at Lotus Organics. Also, take a pain reliever without anti-inflammatory components 30 minutes prior to your appointment. (Please use caution when taking NSAIDs [ibuprofen, Aleve, naproxen, etc.], as they affect your body’s clotting ability and may cause bruising during the wax. Tylenol/Acetaminophen or a NON-anti-inflammatory is suggested, as long you are not allergic.) The more often you get waxed, the softer the hair will grow back in, making it less painful to remove. To allow for easier removal, try to schedule your waxes on a regular basis (every 4 to 6 weeks, without shaving in between) before the root of the hair is allowed to grow strong again.
Q: Tik-Tok shows people using a numbing spray before the wax. Why don’t you use one?
A: Numbing sprays and creams have to be applied several minutes in advance for them to be effective, if they are even at all effective. However, professional waxes are designed to be used on fresh, clean and properly prepped skin, so the area must be cleansed immediately before the wax, which will remove the numbing product from the skin, making it ineffective. Also, if there is any residue left on the skin, it may prevent the wax from properly adhering to the hair, making the results less than desirable. Furthermore, topical numbing agents are designed to only be effective on the top surface layer of your skin. However, the hair being removed is coming from much deeper in the skin where the numbing sprays/creams are unable to penetrate, leaving them ineffective on the actual source of the pain. The best way to minimize pain from waxing is to take a pain reliever such as Tylenol 30 to 40 minutes prior to the wax, and stay on a regular waxing schedule of every 4 to 6 weeks without shaving in between.
Q: How long does the hair have to be?
A: It depends on the area being waxed. For body hair, it should be around 1/4″ to 1/2″ for best results. The longer the better! For body hair, please avoid shaving for 3 to 4 weeks before a wax for best results. For coarse facial hair, it should be at least 1/8″ long (approximately the length of a grain of rice), which is usually a minimum of 1 to 2 weeks of no tweezing/shaving for best results
Q: How long does it take the hair to grow back?
A: This depends on the person, as well as the area being waxed. Typically, facial waxing can be done every two weeks. Body waxing, however, usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to grow to the length where it can be waxed again.
Q: Why is there still some stubble on my legs after being waxed?
A: Sometimes, especially with first-time waxes, our roots are rather strong and don’t like to come out when we ask them to! This, unfortunately, results in breakage of some of the hairs. If you decide to wax again, however, it is likely that this hair can be caught in a weaker growth stage [see explanation below]. This will allow the hair to come out clean and grow back finer, resulting in smoother results.
Excessive friction may also cause breakage of hair while in the regrowth stage. Loose-fitting, breathable clothing and proper exfoliation and hydration of the skin will help the condition of the hair and skin and aid in better hair removal results.
Q: “What the heck?!? I just got waxed a few days ago and there’s already hair growing back! I thought waxing lasted longer than shaving…”
A: This is a very common reaction which frustrates both the client and the esthetician, but we promise, it’s normal and unfortunately just the way our body works. Our hair grows in multiple stages, meaning that there isn’t just one hair growing in each follicle. So even though a hair has been removed from the follicle, there is still hair growing in that follicle which, sadly, may show its head in just a few days… Below is a diagram of how the hair grows. You can see that while the hair is in the follicle, there is often another one growing just below it, pushing out the old hair to make room for the new. So, it is because of this that hair can reappear so quickly. So why not wait until it’s all in the same growth stage to pull it out? Because it’s physically impossible to determine what growth stage every hair is in. And even if we did catch them all closely together, there is always one coming up behind it. However, it is possible to slow down the growth with frequent waxing. How? When a hair is pulled out in the Telogen phase, one will appear quite quickly because that hair was already separated from its root and just resting. When we are able to pull out a hair by the root (yes, those painful ones), it will take longer for it to grow back because we have interrupted the growth cycle and not allowed it to complete. When that hair starts to grow back, it will be much finer. If it is pulled out before the roots get a chance to grow too strong, the follicle can eventually become “damaged” and stop growing the hair. The more often you get waxed, the weaker the hair will become, resulting in less painful waxing, and eventually less hair growth and less frequent waxing visits!
Q: Will I be red after getting waxed?
A: This depends on your skin’s sensitivity. Some people will turn red for just a few minutes after waxing, while some people are red for a couple hours or even a day or so. On larger areas such as arms, legs, back, etc. you may see red spots or bumps. This is normal and is caused by the hair being pulled out by the root, and will go away. If bacteria enters the open hair follicles, it may sometimes cause small, painful red bumps similar to a facial blemish. It is highly important to keep the skin well cleansed and protected following a wax treatment. If you are concerned with redness following a wax, you might be interested in scheduling a Soothing post-hair removal treatment in addition to your wax!
Q: Can I tan after being waxed?
A: I am not an advocate of tanning because I have seen the effects it has on our skin, including my own. However, if you tan, you should avoid tanning for 24-48 hours after waxing due to new skin being exposed.
Q: Is there anything special I should do to care for my skin after being waxed?
A: For the next 24-48 hours, avoid direct sunlight to prevent burning, do not use hot water or any type of excessive heat directly on the waxed area, and avoid sexual activity and sweating to keep the area clear of bacteria. Be sure to cleanse regularly, exfoliate every 2 to 3 days, and moisturize often to prevent ingrown hairs.
Q: I broke out big time after being waxed. What’s that all about?
A: Ahh, another one of those frustrating things our body does! Yes, waxing can cause breakouts… it even happens to estheticians and they’re the “professionals”! So why does it do this? Well, when we wax, especially when we catch the hair at the root, we’re opening up that hair follicle and allowing for all kinds of dirt, oil, bacteria, and even dead skin to get in. Thus, we break out into little pustules (“white heads”). Also, some people may be sensitive to the wax that is being used, or may even be allergic to an ingredient in the wax. Always inform the esthetician of all allergies and sensitivities. To prevent and treat breakouts after waxing, cleanse thoroughly and regularly, and use an astringent such as Witch Hazel to further clean the area of unwanted debris and close up the pores. Try to avoid sweating at all costs to prevent bacteria from getting into the follicles. Sexual activity should be avoided for 24 to 48 hours post-waxing. If post-waxing irritation or ingrown hairs are an issue, you might consider scheduling a special skincare treatment with or separate from your waxing service. Specially formulated products to help with these issues may also be available for retail at Lotus Organics.