It's estimated that in the UK 40% of people get waxed in a salon or at home so we've spoken to a waxing expert on the dos and don'ts of doing it correctly.
Rosie Khandwala is a veteran of the waxing industry since moving to the UK from Tanzania with her young family in the late 80s. Rosie is the founder of the wax brand, Sugar Coated, the only ethical sugar and water wax on the market.
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In 1990, Rosie got a big career break supplying The Body Shop with the homemade wax she started making after arriving in the UK, because it wasn't used there at the time.
That relationship lasted 18 years, and Sugar Coated emerged after that. We've spoken with the waxing expert and she has given us great tips about skin and waxing. Here's her opinion on at-home waxing, and the one body part that's best left to the experts.
Waxing Expert - Rosie Khandwala
Rosie thinks everyone can wax at home saying, 'Home waxing can be practical and convenient; it all depends on your confidence level. If you start waxing from an earlier age, it can become part of your regular regime. For some, it can feel daunting when switching from being a regular shaver. But this does not mean it cannot be done.'
Some people swear by waxing for legs, arms and armpits, the face, and more but Rosie says to proceed with caution in other places.
She says, 'In my opinion, intimate waxing is the only area I would advise NOT to do by yourself if you're not used to it. It can be difficult to judge the direction of the hair growth, and the wax strip removal action needs to be swift whilst also holding the skin taut and firm to avoid trauma and bruising.' That's not all, the waxing expert gave us tips about skin conditions and waxing.
Wax & Skin Issues
She doesn't recommend waxing over sunburned skin. She says, 'When the skin is sunburnt it is sore and tender. A warm waxing treatment will cause more sensitivity and irritation making the area susceptible to inflammation. I would recommend waiting at least a week for any sunburn, on any part of the body, to heal before waxing.'
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And, she says of irritated or acne-prone skin that, 'Any form of acne, broken skin or lesions should be left well alone from any form of waxing. For facial waxing, the facial skin is a tender area, so if there is any form of acne then it is advisable to not wax as it will aggravate the condition and expose any open wounds to infection.'
Most interestingly of all, Rosie has words of warning if you're a fan of retinol rejuvenating beauty products.
At-Home Waxing
If retinol is part of your beauty regime, Rosie has this sage advice. She says, 'Retinol leaves the skin very delicate and can cause the skin to react with waxing, especially if it is a warm wax. It is advisable to make sure that a patch test is done before, and it is recommended to stop using your retinol products four to five days before using warm wax.'
As for at-home waxing, Rosie has this top tip. She says, 'Generally, most areas where hairs are visible can be easily removed from the comfort of your own home. Spread the formula as thin as possible in the direction of the hair growth. The thinner the application the more it sticks to the hair and the more effective the hair removal.'
To remove the hair effectively, she says, 'Flick the strip in a parallel motion against the skin, when removing the wax so that you pull the hair from the roots.'
At-Home Wax Products
If you want to try waxing instead of shaving, Rosie's Sugar Coated line is available in Irish pharmacies nationwide.
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