Preparing Your Skin for a Full Wax

Body hair is an unavoidable part of life. However, for whatever reason, you may want to remove it. Perhaps your happy path appears a little more like a field of dreams to you. Perhaps your peach fuzz isn't quite as peachy as it once was.

If you're a do-it-yourselfer who prefers to save money and time, at-home hair removal may be the way to go.

However, in order to avoid harm or infection or skin allergy, all waxing attempts involve safety procedures. Here's how to do a wax job at home safely and confidently.

Waxing removes hair from the follicle, which means it pulls your body hair out from the root, allowing pathogens to enter the open hair follicles. Sure, your skin will be smoother, but it will also be more prone to irritation. Heated wax, on the other hand, has the ability to burn.

That's why adequate skin prep and aftercare, as well as effective waxing techniques, are critical for preventing problems that could derail your quest for smooth skin.

You should be able to safely remove your hair and enjoy the effects for weeks if you follow these guidelines.

Pre waxing tips

If necessary, cut your hair first

Waxing requires at least a quarter-inch of hair, although hair that is excessively long might make waxing more difficult and uncomfortable.

Hair should be trimmed to three-quarters of an inch, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Use clean personal grooming equipment, such as an electronic trimmer or safety scissors, to trim your hair.

Exfoliate your skin

Gentle exfoliation with a light scrub, brush, mitt, or loofah a day or two before waxing to eliminate dead skin cells that surround the hair follicles. Just keep in mind that scrubbing too hard will irritate your skin, which isn't ideal for waxing.

Detoxify

Waxing should always begin with freshly cleaned skin. Oily skin and hair can prevent wax from sticking, and grime raises your chances of getting infected lumps.

Make sure it's completely dry

Wax also won't stick to wet hair. So, dry the area completely after using a towel. If you're concerned about talcum powder's potential relation to cancer, add a little powder - cornstarch is a safe alternative to talcum powder.

If you're sweating due to heat, humidity, or fear of waxing, the powder can help soak up the moisture. It also aids in the protection of the skin throughout the pulling process.

Waxing without pain: best practices

Check the temperature of the wax. You can test the temperature of the heated wax by applying a small patch to your outer wrist.
In the opposite direction, pull. Some waxes need time to solidify before they can be pulled, while others can be pulled virtually instantly. Hold your skin taut with one hand and pull it slightly in the direction of hair growth when you're ready to pull. Then, in one swift motion, pull the strip of wax off in the opposite direction with the other hand.
Reduce the discomfort caused by the pull.

Post waxing tips

Give your freshly waxed skin some tender loving care.

Wax residue should be removed

Many waxing packages include prepared wipes to aid in the removal of any residual wax from your skin. If yours doesn't, a few drops of olive or jojoba oil would be enough.

After that, use an aftercare product

You want to use a lotion that calms the skin right after a wax, but the trick is to use one that also fights bacteria.

After 24 hours, exfoliate

While it's ideal to wait at least a day before exfoliating, doing so in between waxings can help prevent ingrown hairs and keep the skin smooth. Always use your favourite aftercare product afterwards.

How to Prevent Infections from Waxing?

Bacteria can be found on everyone's skin. Plus, no matter how well you clean, germs remain on domestic surfaces. As a result, you can't completely prevent germs. Bacteria, perspiration, and friction on exposed follicles can cause discomfort or infection in some circumstances.

The last thing you want when going fuzz-free is itchy pimples or a painful swollen region, yet it can happen during or after a waxing procedure. It could lead to one of the infections listed below:

Folliculitis. Pimples or skin rash are the most common signs of inflammation or infection of the hair follicles. If you have folliculitis, you may get a whitehead, but don't pop it. For skin pimples, you can use anti acne gel.
Boils. Boils, also known as abscesses, are caused by a bacterial or fungal infection of the hair follicle, which results in a raised red bump that might rupture.
Cysts of ingrown hair When your waxed hair starts to come back, this can happen. The hair grows into the skin rather than toward the surface, forming a bump. It may become a cyst if it becomes irritated. Although not all ingrown hair cysts are infectious, taking steps to prevent ingrown hairs from forming and correctly treating them can lessen the risk of infection.
Molluscum contagiosum is a type of mollusc. This viral infection causes benign lumps in the pubic region and can be transferred through sexual contact. Though modern research shows pubic hair removal does not enhance the chance of obtaining sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhoea or chlamydia, it has been related to an increased risk of contracting it.
Infection prevention begins with the above-mentioned basic skin preparation, but you should also take steps to wax in a clean environment and with clean equipment. That could mean first disinfecting with a disinfectant spray or wipes, then sterilising your equipment.
A waxing warmer should not be kept on a bathroom counter because it can catch germs from the air. Scrub it or wipe it down with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol if it's filthy.

Is waxing preferable to shaving?

This, like so many other things in life, boils down to personal preference. Waxing and shaving are two distinct ways to remove hair.

Waxing is a good option if you want a longer-lasting outcome. Waxing eliminates hair from the root, allowing you to go longer between hair removal sessions. Plus, you'll be spared the agony of razor burn. Shaving is often painless (provided you don't nick yourself), but it doesn't give long-lasting results.

Take Away

Although these waxing consequences may seem alarming, if you follow these guidelines, waxing at home is often safe. You'll also find a plethora of goods on the market to assist you. If you're new to waxing, going to the salon for your first wax can be beneficial.

Choose a body part that you can reach with both hands and see easily for your first DIY wax. Begin with a tiny portion and see how things go before progressing to a larger section or a more difficult-to-reach location. No worries if you decide waxing isn't for you. There are various hair removal options available to you. You can also maintain your fuzz in place and show it off. It's entirely up to you.