How to Make Waxing Easier

Waxing is preferable to shaving because it leaves the skin clean, smooth and stubble-free, and the hair takes much longer to grow back, however it can be both messy and painful.

Here are some tips that can make the overall experience easier.

Check your hair length

Ideally, your hair should be about a quarter inch, or about 5 mm, long. If it is too short the wax will not be able to grip it and it may not come off properly, so it’s best to wait until it has grown out. On the other hand, if it is too long, you can trim it before you wax.

Clean up before you start

Taking a warm shower before you start waxing will help open up your pores and make the hair removal easier. For better results, use an exfoliating scrub when you’re in the bath, to remove all the dead cells and prevent in-growths. After your shower, don’t use any lotions or creams on your skin, as they will hamper the wax.

Take a painkiller

Everybody’s threshold of pain varies, and while some people get used to the pain of waxing, others cannot bear it. If waxing is unbearably painful for you, take a painkiller an hour before you start. You can also use numbing cream on your skin; just apply it ten minutes before you have to wax.

Reduce acidity

Caffeine, alcohol and nicotine can all make your body very acidic. Your skin becomes more sensitive when it is acidic, so avoid consuming any of these a day before you wax and take an antacid an hour before you wax if necessary.

Check for injuries

Before you wax, check your skin for any cuts, bruises, rashes or cold sores. If possible, avoid waxing until they have healed, because they will make the experience more painful and waxing that area can exacerbate them. Don’t try to wax over burned or irritated skin either.

Know where to wax

While you can wax most of your body – your arms and legs, your back and stomach, your eyebrows, upper lip and underarms, and your bikini area, there are some places that you should not wax. These include your ears, nose, eyelashes, nipples and the male genital area.

Test the wax

Before you start waxing, check the temperature of the wax by applying it on the inner side of your wrist. It needs to be hot or else it will not spread over your skin properly, but it shouldn’t be too hot or it will burn your skin.

Wax correctly

Whether you are waxing yourself or having someone to do it for you, make sure that it is being done correctly. Start by putting powder on the area that is going to be waxed, apply the wax in the direction of the hair, place the strip on the wax, hold the skin taut and then pull the strip in the opposite direction of the hair growth.

Don’t wax the same area too many times

You may not get rid of all the hair in your first swipe and so you may have to do a second one, but do not do any more than two swipes of the same area. If there is still any hair remaining, either let them be or use a razor or a pair of tweezers to remove them.

Try to relax

Rather than being tense every time the strip is pulled, try to relax instead. Play soothing music or watch something on television to take your mind off it. Being tense will not only make the experience more painful, but it can also cause you to sweat and that will prevent the wax from getting a good grip on your hair.

Soothe your skin

Immediately after waxing your skin may look all red and splotchy and develop a few bumps. Soothe it by rubbing some ice on it, or if that’s too cold then wet a cloth with cold water and use it to wipe your skin. You can also try applying pressure to your skin immediately after waxing – this also helps to reduce the pain and soothe it.

Don’t touch waxed skin

Avoid touching the areas that you have just waxed, especially if they are on your face. You will not only irritate your skin but your hands also have a lot of germs on them that can infect the vulnerable skin.

Don’t apply products

Don’t apply products like make-up, creams, lotions or deodorants to areas that you have just waxed. Let your skin recover for at least a day before you apply anything. Avoid exfoliating products for a few days as well, as they could also irritate your skin.

Avoid heat

Avoid heated areas like steam rooms and saunas for a few days after you have waxed and do not expose your skin to the hot sun. Your skin is more prone to burning after you have waxed so keep it covered and cool. Shower with lukewarm water rather than hot water and avoid intense exercise.

Don’t wear tight clothes

After you wax, avoid wearing tight clothes for a few days to prevent the formation of in-growths. Make it a point to exfoliate regularly to keep them away permanently.

Source: healthmeup.com

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