How to Wax Safely at Home (Expert-Approved Guide with Tips)
Non-essential businesses mostly remain closed, having been shuttered for months to help halt the spread of COVID-19. That includes beauty salons.
While manicures and haircuts might not be necessities, we miss our salon treatments and maintaining our grooming routines.
For those looking keep up with their hair removal appointments, there are many cost-effective DIY methods, the most long-lasting of which is waxing. This takes the hair out by its root and slows down re-growth.
But it can be difficult to wax your body. Especially if it’s your first time, you run the risk of hurting yourself. If you’re an aesthetician who’s taken a waxing course, you know the basics. But if you’re an amateur, our experts have prepared a guide to ensure you wax safely and effectively.
How to Successfully Perform a DIY Waxing
Waxing at home can be simple if you know how to do it properly. Read these tips to make the process as painless as possible and ensure long-lasting results.
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Things to Keep in Mind Before Getting Started
Smooth, hairless skin feels great, but for a painless and infection-free experience, follow these tips.
- Examine Hair Length
Your body hair should ideally be at least ¼ and not more than ¾-inch long. This is necessary for the wax to cling to the hair properly. Failing to do so will result in the hair removal being ineffective.
- Check Your Menstrual Cycle
It’s best to avoid waxing when you’re on your period as your body is more sensitive to pain. This happens because your body is in an inflammatory state, with more hormones being released than at other times. This increases skin sensitivity, making waxing particularly painful.
If you okay know your waxing might be more uncomfortable than usual, take ibuprofen beforehand to reduce the pain.
- Stay Away From Exfoliation
Exfoliating your skin right before waxing can make it sensitive and prone to burns, allergies and pain. For best results, exfoliate at least a day or two before waxing.
- Skip Moisturization
Moisturizers form a barrier between the wax and your skin, making it difficult for the hair to pull out completely. It’s better to moisturize your body the night before you plan to wax to ensure your skin doesn’t become too dry.
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Know the Different Types of Wax
Knowing about the different waxes ensures you can choose the best one for your skin type to achieve optimal results. Here are some of the most common types of wax.
- Soft Wax
To get rid of hair over larger areas such as legs and hands, soft wax is best. It typically involves spreading the wax evenly over the body with a wooden stick. Once it hardens, place a strip of cloth over the wax and pull it off in a swift motion. The result is soft and hairless skin.
- Hard Wax
Hard wax targets smaller, more sensitive areas such as underarms, the bikini area and upper lip. The wax is applied using a wooden stick, then allowed to cool and harden. It is then pulled off in the opposite direction to hair growth. It’s a lot less painful than soft wax and more effective at pulling the hair out.
Once the hair is removed, refrain from using any heavy creams or oils as these can clog your pores, resulting in inflammation. Instead, use aloe vera gel to soothe the area. It’s lightweight and heals the area quickly.
- Sugar Wax
As the name suggests, this wax is made using sugar along with honey, lemon and water. You can make it yourself if commercial wax products are not available.
Sugar doesn’t stick to the body and is great at pulling out hair follicles. Make sure the hair length is at least a quarter of an inch to reap its full benefits.
- Waxing Strips
If you don’t want the hassle of making your wax, purchase ready-to-use waxing strips. Most products ensure smoothness up to seven days, and unlike other variants, it’s much quicker.
One drawback is that the chemicals used in these products may result in a chemical reaction and cause inflammation or red bumps. Also, when not removed smoothly and quickly, you can end up hurting yourself. Another con is that the strips can leave behind a sticky residue that is difficult to get rid of.
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Wax at Home Like a Professional
You can either purchase the wax from a store or make your own at home. No matter which you choose, once you have it, prepare for your body hair removal by clearing out the space where you will perform it.
If you’re using a table, cover it with paper or a soft cloth to make the clean-up easier. Apply the wax liberally and gently with a wooden stick in the same direction as your hair grows. Next, rub a wax strip on to the area where the wax is applied. Then, pull it off in one go in the opposite direction of hair growth.
Follow this procedure on all areas of your body where you want to remove hair. Once you’re done, wipe your body with a warm cloth followed by a cold one and allow yourself to dry.
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Tips to Keep in Mind
- Check your skin for burns, pimples and cuts while you wax. If you suffer from skin infections or allergies, consult a dermatologist.
- If you use hot wax, make sure it’s not too hot as you run the risk of burning yourself. However, if it’s too cold, it won’t spread evenly.
- Don’t overwork a particular area by waxing it too many times. Instead, try to finish the job on the first attempt. Failing to do so can result in a burning sensation and redness. If you notice small areas where the hair hasn’t come off in the first pull, tweezing them is recommended.
If you want to be a pro in waxing, you can join a certificate course at a reputable beauty school near you. However, since you cannot join such a course right now, it’s a good idea to wax at home using these DIY tips. Meanwhile, you can check out the features of Body Pro Academy’s waxing course in Toronto.
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