Waxing
STOP SHAVING
Stop shaving three weeks before your vacation. The hair has to be long enough (at least one-quarter inch) so the wax has something to grab on to. Waxing will last longer than shaving because it pulls the hair out of the root follicle. It does sting a bit, but a good wax will last from ten days to three weeks, and shaving can leave you with a 3:00 shadow. Be aware: for those hairs that don’t come out with the wax, the aesthetician gets out the tweezers and pulls them out one by one.
PLAN YOUR WAX
Plan your wax so that it doesn't fall during "that" time of the month. This is due to two factors. 1) The skin gets particularly sensitive throughout the menstrual cycle. 2) When it's time, who wants someone to be playing around down there?
KNOW wHAT YOU WANT WAxED
Know in advance what you would like to have waxed: For instance, there are four main types of bikini wax, but note that different aesthetician s may refer to them by different names: 1) A regular bikini wax removes hair from all sides of your bikini line. You can wear your bikini bottoms during this waxing, as it only cleans up around the edges. 2) A French, aka Brazilian, wax takes all of your hair away except for a ‘landing strip’ down the middle. 3) A Hollywood wax removes all hair front and back. You’ll have no hair, nada. If you're self-conscious, go for the regular bikini wax, where you can keep your undies on.
There are 2 varieties of wax
There are two varieties of wax that can be used during a wax procedure: hard or soft. Using a spatula, soft wax is applied, and then soft paper is rubbed over the wax. Very quickly, the paper is pulled off in the opposite direction of hair growth, and the hairs come off with it. This method removes the hair from the bulb. With hard wax, the wax hardens by itself and is then pulled off, moving in the opposite direction of hair growth. This wax is believed to last longer as this approach eliminates the entire follicle.
Before waxing
Before waxing, stay away from caffeinated beverages. Caffeine is a blood thinner that can increase skin sensitivity.
DRINK WATER
Drink plenty of water beforehand. Drinking water also hydrates your skin from within.
EXFOLIATE YOUR SKIN
Exfoliate your skin in the bath or shower to get rid of any debris or dead cells. This will help prevent dirt and grime from entering your pores, which can lead to ingrown hairs.
WEAR loose clothes
Wear loose-fitting clothing, so you’ll feel comfortable afterward.
Don't apply lotion
Don’t apply any lotion prior to your appointment. The less oily your skin is, the better the results will be.
Take IBUPROFEN
Some of my friends swear that taking ibuprofen an hour before waxing helps with pain relief. Personally, I don’t feel it hurts that much to need medication, but to each his own.
ARRIVE FRESHLY SHOWERED
Arrive Freshly showered or bathed. Spending some time soaking in a bath softens pores. This makes it easier to extract the hair follicles, which reduces discomfort. Have you ever tried to pull out a dandelion weed after it rains? When the soil is damp and loose, the dandelion comes right out, whereas when the soil is dry, the dandelion typically breaks at the top. It’s the same for hair follicles. It's less painful if you soak your pores in a bathtub first.
AFTER WAXING
After waxing, your skin could get red, but don't worry—the redness usually goes away by morning. Once you get home, if it's still bothering you, apply ice.
what to expect after
Once you have wax, the hair that grows back is typically less dense. After the waxing is completed, a professional will apply a lotion that kills bacteria and helps prevent ingrown hairs. Occasionally, hair removal causes lasting harm to the follicle. In some cases, the damaged hair follicle will not produce new hair.