You have been waxing for years and you still quite dread the outcome—mainly because it doesn’t matter how many times you have to undergo this process, it causes a certain amount of pain. If your skin is sensitive and you experience discomfort and redness after waxing, adding the prep steps to your skin care regimen can be useful to you. Read this article to know what these are.
1. Gently exfoliate
You should exfoliate before waxing would be necessary but don’t do it just before waxing session because this might make the skin more sensitive. Always make sure that you scrub the skin one day before waxing so the dead skin is removed and you could achieve smooth waxing.
2. Avoid moisturizing on the day
We have always emphasized the fact that moisturizing the skin is crucial for skin care. However, be aware that waxing would be more difficult if the skin is greasy. And to save the skin from turning very sensitive after waxing, make sure that you moisturize a few days before the appointment.
Also Read: 7 Different Types of Waxing For Hair Removal
3. Ensure hair growth is enough
It depends on the hair growth but a half of an inch is very necessary while waxing. If you do not have much hair, it becomes more difficult for the small hair to come out. So do not be in a rush to get waxed, and wait for a fair amount of hair growth before going for waxing.
4. Avoid going out in sun
The UV rays could make things worse for the skin and if the skin is very sensitive, waxing just after you have stepped out in sun can cause sun burning. Therefore, make sure that you remain indoors before visiting the salons.
Also Read: 6 Waxing Tricks You Need To Know Right Now
5. Know the requirement of waxing
While most of people have been using regular waxing, some waxes are suitable for sensitive skin. If you have intense tanning or feel that your skin is severely dehydrated, choosing for a cooling or hydrating chocolate wax could be a good idea.
6. Take a break
Some medications could sensitize the skin to waxing. Retin-A cream does amazing things for the fine lines, uneven pigmentation, and acne but they leave skin susceptible to injury while waxing. Discontinue retinol-based product for about two weeks before waxing. The Accutane users need to stop taking their medication for about a month before going for waxing. Before making any major changes to the prescription medication, consult your dermatologist.
7. Choose your wax
Waxing might seem like a one-formula-fits-all sort of situation, but there are different types of waxes that tackle different kinds of conditions. The major difference is between hard and soft waxes.
The type of wax depends on which area you are waxing, according to an expert. Hard wax is generally recommended for face, underarm areas, and bikinis. Soft wax on the other side is generally recommended for larger areas of the body such as legs and arms.
Also Read: Repeated Waxing Can Harm Your Skin In These 7 Ways!
8. Stop harmful medication
A few medications could sensitize the skin to waxing and make you susceptible to injury. In case you use any retinol-based products, avoid using these for about two weeks before going for waxing. Accutane users must stop taking medication for one month before waxing to avert injury. Before making any major changes to your prescription medication, make sure to consult your dermatologist to check if stopping the medications is right for you.
9. Inspect your skin
You should look for the inflammation or broken skin which needs to cure before you are ready to wax. Waxing on affected skin can cause infection and more damage. Also, if you have any beauty marks or moles, point these out so that it can protect the area during waxing process.
10. Clean before waxing
Waxing could make skin prone to infection, and the areas of the body that are usually damp and warm are prone to the bacterial growth. Making sure that your skin is all clean is an easy method to protect against painful infections.
11. Do a test before your appointment
Before booking any waxing session, it is crucial to conduct some prep work. As wax could contain certain artificial ingredients and fragrance, you will surely want to consult your dermatologist to check if they think the skin can tolerate waxing.
If you are not sure how the skin will react to waxing, do an allergy patch test first,” according to an expert. You must always wait for at least 24 hours to make sure there is no irritation.