If you’re dreading your first wax appointment, stop now. You’ll glide out of that salon silky smooth (sort of – a little waddling is likely), and over time will welcome a life with finer, sparser hairs, and a great relationship with your go-to therapist. This is coming from a seasoned hair-shifter. Before you take the table, there are a few things you can do to ensure a tip-top experience – here’s six of them.
By Rachel Spedding
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1 Let the hair grow
Shaving is bad news for the bikini line, so leave that rasor where it is (on the shop shelf, am I right?). Shaving leaves the skin vulnerable to ingrown hairs, as it cuts each hair at the follicle (instead of removing from beneath the skin). Leave your hair as it is and time your appointments accordingly – don’t worry if it is a little long once you’re on the waxing table, your therapist will be able to trim it.
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2 Exfoliate (until the day)
You should gently exfoliate the area for around a week prior to your wax appointment to remove dead skin cells (and help prevent ingrowns post-salon trip). This will also help the wax to grab the hair – not skin – making for a less painful pull. Skip harsh scrubs as the skin is sensitive, and avoid exfoliating all together on the day of your wax.
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3 Avoid coffee (and alcohol)
Though a large glass of vino may feel like the only way you’ll make it through you hot wax encounter, both alcohol and caffeine are stimulants. That means your skin will be extra sensitive to pain (even if your tipsy mind is wandering a little). Same goes for your period, wait until it’s finished before your appointment – that’s when your pain threshold is at its highest.
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4 Wear something comfortable
Bring out the big pants, because the skin needs to breathe. Tight clothing (especially tighter materials), will trap heat and moisture against the skin. You may feel a little tender down below, so will 100% live to regret it if you wear skinny jeans. Slide into something breezy post-wax to give your skin all the room it needs to cool off.
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5 Shower first
Obviously you want to feel *fresh* for your wax appointment, so it’s a good idea to pop in the shower before your salon trip. Post-wax, your therapist will recommend you don’t shower for 24 hours minimum as while the hair follicles are exposed, they’re more prone to infection and irritation (hot water will worsen that). So do the shower thing first.
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6 Chill (and do you)
Relax. Breathe. Chill a little. Tensing up will result in a more painful wax, so do whatever you need pre-appointment to encourage that zen feeling (from reading a little Harry Potter, to kicking back with a packet of choccy digestives). Consider which style you’re going for too (here’s a breakdown in case you’re confused), but above all else, remember – it’s your bod. The hair can go, or it can stay put – your call.