A Complete Guide to Facial Waxing Aftercare
Post-wax success is as easy as following a few tips from your esthetician. From sensitive skin to post-wax care, we have you covered. For facial waxing, aftercare is especially important! You don’t want to be dealing with redness, irritation, or ingrown hairs if you don’t need to.
Steps to take pre-wax
To set your future wax sessions up for success, making sure you’re properly preparing and caring for your skin ensures you’re going to have a better experience and much better results!
Grow your hair out
Your hair growth cycle is an integral piece of scheduling your waxing appointment at the perfect time.
For all facial waxing specifically, waiting at least 4 weeks from your last hair removal before getting waxed ensures the best results. The wax itself adheres better to the hair, and there’s a greater chance of all hairs being removed straight from the hair follicles during your wax session.
For all waxing appointments, in general, the more hair for your esthetician to work with the better! Let your hair grow and they will take care of you at your appointment.
2. Exfoliate the area to be waxed
Your body naturally produces dead skin cells daily, and over time they can accumulate if not properly cared for in your at-home routine. Prior to your appointment, ensuring that your skin has been exfoliated will give you the best possible outcome.
Not only does gentle exfoliation before your appointment help loosen ingrown hairs, but it also provides a new base layer of skin for new skin cells to grow from. This allows new regrowth to come through easily while preventing any new ingrowns or irritation.
Make sure to exfoliate 24 hours before your appointment, but no later. There’s a chance of unnecessary irritation and redness when you exfoliate too close to your appointment!
3. Take a painkiller if you’re worried about discomfort
If you know you have a low pain tolerance or sensitive skin, taking an over-the-counter painkiller about 30 minutes before your appointment will act as a buffer, (especially if you are in the middle of a menstrual cycle when skin sensitivity is at its highest).
4. Stop the use of certain products beforehand
Going into a wax appointment, it is best to stop the use of certain products like (not limited to) retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, Differin, tretinoin, Accutane, etc. 7-10 days prior. Schedule your wax appointment accordingly, and if you have any questions, contact your esthetician.
What to avoid right after your wax
Your skin needs a little time to breathe. In the meantime, here are a couple of things to keep in mind when going about the days following your wax appointment.
Wait to work out
Make sure to skip the gym after your wax appointments and hold off on doing so for 24 hours. If you need to workout, you can do so before coming in.
Refrain from applying heavy makeup, oils, tanner, or lotion
Let your skin breathe for 24 hours, and skip on the makeup, oils, tanner, and lotions. Your skin needs it!
Exfoliate a couple days after your wax
A couple of days after your wax, while you’re in the shower, use a gentle exfoliator. This will help resurface the skin, get rid of dead skin cells, and prevent ingrowns between appointments.
A great routine to start with exfoliating is 2-3 times per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday is perfect!)
Use esthetician recommended skincare products
When it comes to skincare and pre/post-care, your esthetician can guide you in the right direction for specific products that will benefit your skin type and skin concerns. From advice on avoiding alpha hydroxy acids, the best moisturizers, ingrown hair treatments, and more! Talk with your esthetician about what products will be best for you to use.
Setting up a great at-home routine is the beginning of your journey to healthier, hydrated, and ingrown free skin between wax appointments.
Continue to grow out your hair
In preparation for your next appointment, continue to grow out your hair. Please keep in mind that everyone’s hair growth cycles are different, and your esthetician will recommend when to schedule your next wax.
Prebook, prebook, prebook
In general, consistency is huge and receiving the best results possible. If your schedule allows, pre-book your next wax appointment!
Book your next waxing appointment with Project Aesthetics!
At Project Aesthetics, education is a huge part of the process of your appointments in order to have the best experience and results! To schedule a wax appointment, head on over to our website, and book your next wax!
