Waxing Tips and Tricks
Your first wax removes the majority of hair that has grown above the skin. Because hairs grow in different cycles, your subsequent waxes will remove the hairs still growing below the skin’s surface but have now sprouted above the skin. After three to four waxes, all of your hairs should be growing in the same cycle, resulting in longer-lasting smooth skin. Post bikini or Brazilian wax care is important to your overall experience. Here is are some guidelines to keep you on the right track post-wax. These are just suggestions from my experience both personally and professionally:
What is waxing?
Waxing is the process of removing the hair directly from the follicle. When you remove the hair from the follicle, this means the hair has to recreate itself from the bulb and regrow through. Unlike shaving or creams when you remove the hair from the surface only.
Does it hurt?
The pain level completely varies from person to person. There will be some discomfort during the wax treatment as we are removing hair from the follicle. Overall time the pain from waxing will become more tolerable as the hair becomes thinner and fine. We suggest taking a pain reliever before coming in for your wax to help with the discomfort.
*Of course, always consult with your physician before taking medications.
What kind of wax do you use?
We use Se-Brazil soft wax (strip wax) and non-polymer hard wax (no strip). Our waxes are made of the highest quality ingredients. No plastics and natural ingredients. Soft wax is applied and removed with a 100% cotton strip typically used on facial waxing and larger areas of the body such as legs and backs. Our non-polymer hard wax (no plastic additives) is applied and hardens around the hair. It is removed without a strip, and some say they find it less painful than soft wax.
How long do the results last?
You can expect 1-2 weeks of hair-free results post-wax if all pre-waxing instructions are followed. All areas have a minimal amount of regrowth time to achieve the best results.
Does it come back thicker and darker?
A common misconception is that waxing will make the hair come back thicker or darker. When you remove the hair from the root (follicle), it will come back thinner and softer.
Post wax: Heavy creams and oils = HUGE no-no
While I know that it may seem like removing hair from the follicle would require applying a soothing cream. You do not want to fill an exposed pore with junk. Heavy lotions may lead to clogged hair follicles that may lead to ingrown hairs. A clogged hair follicle looks like a blackhead. I recommend gently exfoliating the bikini area with a soft loofah or exfoliating mitt the night before your appointment. Exfoliating loosens the dead skin surrounding the hair follicle allowing for easier removal. It is not recommended that you exfoliation immediately post-wax. It would be best to wait at least 24 hours and/or all redness and as subsided.
Ingrown Hair
We could tell a number of stories of women who have picked and have the scars to prove it. We know that ingrown hairs are pesky little guys, but here are a few reasons why you should not pick at them. Let's start with what exactly is ingrown hair is when the hair curls back or grows sideways. Unfortunately, this is most common with those with coarse and/or curly hair. We do not recommend using salt or sugar scrubs as a form of exfoliation. They tend to lead to irritation and may cause infection with an open wound (because we know you picked at it.)
The bikini area is delicate and can easily become irritated if not correctly taken care of or treated at first sight of an ingrown.
A few reasons ingrown hairs occur are due to:
Wearing tight clothing such as leggings, workout clothes, or underwear for long periods.
Exercising and not showering immediately post-sweat sesh.
Crossing your legs for extended periods may also lead to irritation.
Picking with dirty hands or tweezers. eek! We know we've all done it, but now you've just introduced bacteria to the open wound. This will not only make the ingrown less than pleasant, it may also lead to scarring and pigmentation of the area.
If your ingrown hair becomes very problematic schedule an ingrown mask treatment with your appointment to address the issue.
Cleansing
Let's have a real talk about cleansing the bikini area. It's all very simple and frankly not complicated when it comes to cleaning the lady bits. Unfortunately, many of us are still using highly fragranced and harsh soaps on our most dilated areas. These soaps disrupt our PH balance and can be irritating to the sensitive bikini area. We personally recommend using a natural soap-free of harsh chemicals. Our suggested products will be listed below, and you may purchase them at my studio.
Red or white bumps post-wax?
Bumps post-wax occasionally happens to some who are very sensitive to waxing. This is known as a histamine reaction and can be treated with an antihistamine or topical 1% hydrocortisone such as Polysporin. *Note do not use Neosporin as it contains ingredients that may cause allergic reactions.
Product Recommendations:
Elevate Esthetics Ingrown Spray Solution - Anyone with coarse, curly hair that needs extra help with lifting hair from a potential ingrown position.
Shavers or waxers will benefit from the enzymatic exfoliation of fruit and sugar acids that will break the bond of dead skin that will clog up any hair removal treatment. Willowbark, a beta-hydroxy keeps pores clear while aloe hydrates.
What's in it:
Alpha Hydroxy Acids for surface, water-based exfoliation of Bilberry, Maple, Magic, Lactic, Glycolic. Along with Willowbark a Beta-Hydroxy (oil clearing exfoliation) for in pore exfoliation. All of this magic is in a liquid Aloe base for deep, soothing hydration so the skin can heal itself and stay strong.
Elevate Esthetics Soothing Solution - The most delicate skin is often the skin we abuse the most! Even the most sensitive of skins will be soothed with the magic in the Soothing Spray with healing, cooling, strengthening. Get the red out just after waxing or just shaved skin. Soothe a sunburn - or treat abrasions without alcohol.
Se-Brazil Ouch Balm - Gentle all-natural thick balm is to coat and protect the irritated area. Apply immediately after waxing to soothe and calm the skin.
Ingredients: Shea butter, beeswax, lavender essential oil
Se-Brazil Personal Cleansing Bar - Perfect for the most sensitive and intimate areas.
Ingredients: African Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Essential Oil Blend, Vegetable Glycerin, Rosemary Extract, and Vitamin E Extract.
Se-Brazil Bar in a Jar - Exfoliating Bar in a Jar is a double exfoliation retail product. It comes with an exfoliating glove.
Ingredients: Purified Water, Glycerin, Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Palm Oil, Lavender Essential Oil, Salicylic Acid, Lactic Acid, Camphor Oil & Tea Tree Essential Oil.