In salon. I “ALWAYS” stress the importance of aftercare! It’s almost as important as the wax itself.
You are not going to get the best results out of your wax, if you miss this part out – you just won’t!
The key to a GREAT wax is 50% me – 50% you! Surprising right!
The amount of new clients I get, that have been waxed previously, that have never been told about aftercare, let alone what it is, and how to do it, never fails to shock me. But it really is the SECRET to getting the best results from both your skin, your hair & your wax!
But it shouldn’t be a secret – so I’m here to shout about it, and let you know why it’s great and how simple it is to do!
If you’re new to waxing, it takes 3-4 waxes to get your hair growth cycle synced, (in a nutshell, so all the hair grows through, at the same time, at the same rate) aftercare helps this process! If your new to waxing – see Blog “The Hair Growth Cycle Explained” -(coming soon).
If you’re an infrequent or Holiday Waxer – Aftercare also helps skin after shaving & other forms of hair removal!
You regular waxing lot aren’t getting off lightly either, as it’s just as crucial for you too! As hair becomes thinner and sparser with regular waxing, hair needs more help to break through the surface of the skin, so it’s vital you give it all the help you can!
SO – WHAT DOES AFTERCARE CONSIST OF??
Apart from the Post wax care – for the first 48hrs after your wax -which can be found on the Waxing Information page
Aftercare is simple to do – it consists of Exfoliation & Moisturising! It takes on average around 2-3 minutes for both combined! and can be added to your morning or evening routine very easily.
Exfoliation – definition literally meaning “to cast off in scales”, or in other words to remove dead/dry skin cells from the surface of the skin, leaving your skin smoother and fresher. It’s probably, in my opinion, the most important part of any basic skin care routine, as it preps the skin for other products, i.e. moisturisers, make up, face masks, beard oils, suncreams etc.. If you miss this part out, and just say, apply moisturiser- your just moisturising already dead surface skin cells!
Exfoliation encourages skin cell renewal, boosts natural collagen production, (for younger looking skin), and in the case of hair growth, minimises ingrown hairs, by keeping pores clear and skin soft.
Moisturising – Just as important in terms of prepping the skin, it helps skins recovery after waxing, it keeps the skin soft and in-growns minimised, as hair is able to break through the skin more easily. It also aids a youthful appearance, as the more your skin is hydrated, the better it can function! Skin is the largest organ in the body, and it needs all the help you can give it against modern day living, Stress, pollution, tight clothing, weather etc!
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I BE DOING IT?
You should exfoliate – 2-3 times a week for optimum results. If you have older/thinner skin -twice a week should be sufficient. Gently does it though – its skin – not pots and pans!
On damp skin, use a mechanical exfoliator – such as a mitt or a granular scrub or a longer exfoliation cloth for back exfoliation.
Let the exfoliator, do the work i.e. use with light pressure. If you scrub too hard, you could actually annoy your skin!
Direction – is also a key factor, hair grows generally in an inward or downward direction (for the most part), so you want to exfoliate in a circular –upward direction to lift and release hairs and skin cells. Work towards your heart is a good rule of thumb for most body parts.
When waxing – DO NOT exfoliate for the first 48hrs after a wax (minimum).
Moisturise – Every day! At least once a day if you can, although if that’s too much pressure on your routine, every other day! Make sure, if you’re having an intimate wax, that you use a suitable moisturiser – it should be PH balanced, nothing highly perfumed or scented. I recommend Bush Balm in Salon.
If waxing your facial area, you should consider a hypoallergenic formula, preferably with a higher factor sun protection.
Oh and one more thing about moisturising – HOT Wax and Dry Skin don’t mix! You don’t want wax sticking to the skin any more than is necessary to achieve the hairs removal. So moisturising is also good, as it helps give you a more pain-free wax! So there’s incentive right there!
If coming for a wax appointment – you should not exfoliate or moisturise on the day of your wax, as any products may affect the waxes ability to adhere to the skin. The day before is fine.
If you want any further advice on what products are good to use, you can always ask in salon, I’m happy to help – I also retail a great range of exfoliators and moisturisers you can take away with you on the day, they are great value and they work!
So there you have it- the secret to a great wax & great looking skin! AFTERCARE!!
You’re gonna love it!
