If you have never been waxed, or it has been a while, the same handful of questions come up at our front desk every single day. Here are the honest answers, from the people who do this all day long.
How long should hair be before waxing?
About a quarter of an inch, which is roughly the length of a grain of rice. For most people that is 10 to 14 days of growth after the last time you shaved. Wax needs something to hold on to. If the hair is shorter than that, the wax slides over it and you end up with patches that have to be re-done, which is the part that actually hurts.
If your hair is much longer than a half inch, do not trim it yourself. Longer hair is fine for us to work with, and we will trim it to the right length before we start if it helps. Guests who trim at home almost always take off too much.
Should I shave between appointments?
Please don’t. Every time you shave, you reset the hair growth cycle and the next wax is harder. If you can hold out for the full two weeks before your first appointment and then stick to a regular four to six week schedule, the hair comes back finer, sparser, and slower each time. By the third or fourth visit most guests tell us it is a completely different experience than the first one.
Does waxing hurt?
Yes, a little. It is a quick sting that fades within seconds, not a lingering pain. Two things make the biggest difference: the wax and the hands. We use a gentle soft wax formulated for sensitive skin, and our Estheticians are fast. A brow wax is over in a couple of minutes and a full Brazilian takes about 30 minutes start to finish.
A few things that help: avoid caffeine right before your appointment, do not schedule during the two or three days before your period when skin is more sensitive, and take an over-the-counter pain reliever 30 minutes before if you are nervous. Breathe out when the strip comes off. It sounds silly, and it works.
What should I do before my appointment?
- Exfoliate gently a day or two before, not the day of.
- Skip lotion, oil, and deodorant on the area you are having waxed. They stop the wax from gripping.
- Tell your Esthetician if you use retinol, Retin-A, Accutane, or antibiotics, or if you have had a chemical peel or a lot of sun recently. Some of these make skin too fragile to wax safely, and we would rather reschedule than hurt you.
- Wear loose, breathable clothing to your appointment, especially for bikini and Brazilian waxing.
What about after?
For 24 to 48 hours, keep the area clean and cool. No hot tubs, saunas, tanning, tight clothing, or heavy workouts, and no scented lotions. A little redness or bumps right after are normal and fade within a few hours. Starting two or three days later, exfoliate a few times a week to keep ingrown hairs away, and moisturize daily.
Nervous about your first visit?
That is the most normal thing in the world, and it is exactly why our first visit guide walks through everything before you walk in. New guests also get a free brow, underarm, or bikini line wax on their first visit, so there is no cheaper way to find out for yourself. Book online at Bartram Park or Beach Blvd in about 60 seconds.