First Wax? Here’s How to Prepare

Hair - it’s beautiful and troublesome all at the same time. Some of it you love and never want to lose, while some of it you might wish would get lost for good, if only so you didn’t have to shave so frequently or deal with razor burn, especially in more sensitive areas. If you’ve decided to give waxing a go for your first time, you might be a bit nervous, especially if you aren’t sure how to get ready for your appointment.

Stop Shaving

The first thing you should do is actually something to stop doing. The whole point of waxing is to remove hair, which means you need to have hair to remove. So stop shaving. Generally speaking, hair needs to be a minimum of ¼ inch long in order for the wax to take hold of the hair so it can be removed. How long it takes your hair to grow that long will vary from person to person, and even from place to place on the same person. Try to pay attention to how fast your hair grows so you know when you need to stop shaving. 

Exfoliate

Exfoliating is a good thing to do for your skin in general. It’s especially helpful before waxing as well. Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells and preps your skin so that the wax grabs less skin and more hair, which can help make it a less painful experience. You don’t want to be too harsh as you exfoliate, though, or you could wind up making your skin more sensitive instead. A gentle scrub with a rough washcloth a day or two before your appointment should be enough to do the trick.

Pain Management

Let’s face it - the part everyone gets nervous about is the pain. How much does waxing hurt? Well, the answer is that it depends. Different people have a different tolerance for pain, and some areas are more sensitive than others. The good news is that if you wax regularly, subsequent waxes will be less uncomfortable. Beyond that, an aspirin or ibuprofen 30-45 minutes before your appointment can help take the edge off. Oh, and as hard as it can be, try to relax. It really will help.

Waxing can be a great alternative to shaving, whether you choose to do it for a special occasion or on a regular basis. It lasts longer, gives you smooth skin, and causes the hair to be finer when it grows back in. It’s perfectly natural to be a little nervous for your first appointment. With a little forethought and preparation, however, you’ll be good to go.

Ready to make your appointment? Check out our Waxing, Tweezing, and Sculpting Services to get started.