The Do's and Don'ts of At-Home Waxing

At-home waxing is something that we often pass up on because we may not know the proper way to do it or we may not know the best products to get the job done. Today, we’ll be discussing the do’s and don’ts so you can become a pro in the comfort of your own home.

At-home waxing can be a scary thought, but especially right now with some salons still closed, we are all looking for ways to keep unwanted facial and body hair at bay with high quality at-home kits. Trying to find the right tools and tips to make your at-home waxing experience a success can sometimes get a bit… hairy. Luckily, Nad’s Brand Ambassador and Expert, Natalie Ismiel, has provided some professional advice for us.

First, let’s start off by confirming that yes, it is safe to wax at home – whether you are waxing your legs, upper lips, eyebrows, bikini/brazilian area, etc. Natalie says, “Be sure you are using a product that specifically states that it is suitable for the area you want to wax, as the formulas differ depending on the area. Also make sure that you read the precautions and instructions before use!”

DO: Grow Out Your Hair

While shaving feels like an easier solution, it requires frequent maintenance and results are not always smooth. If you are planning to wax, try to avoid shaving for at least a week. Natalie recommends growing hair out to the below length for each area before waxing:

• Armpit area – hair should be between 2-5 mm
• Bikini/Brazilian area – hair should be a maximum of 5mm long; trim the hair to this length if it looks longer
• Leg area – hair should be between 2-5 mm
• Upper Lip area – Hair should be at least 3 mm long
• Eyebrow area – hair should be at least 3 mm long

DO: Exfoliate

Natalie says that exfoliating before you wax is a must before waxing to avoid ingrown hairs and skin impurities. Exfoliating also boosts circulation, encourages cell regeneration, and improves skin tone and appearance.

DO: Cleanse and Dry the Area

Make sure that the area you are waxing is clean. Natalie suggests cleaning the area with soap and water first, then dry the skin completely before waxing. She also suggests steering away from using oils or lotions before a wax as a wax works best with the skin when these products aren’t on the skin.

DO: Aftercare

Natalie suggests moisturizing skin with a light, calming oil – this will help if your skin feels irritated or a little raw. Most of Nad’s products come with Post Calming Wax Oil Wipes to gently moisturize skin and remove any wax residue.

For a Bikini/Brazilian Wax Aftercare, the first 24 hours after are crucial and you must exfoliate your skin every day to avoid ingrown hairs. You can also use Nad’s Ingrown Solution which contains soothing aloe and green tea extract, suitable for minimizing ingrown hairs, irritation, redness, and bumps by reducing the build-up of dead cells that can block pores. Some fabrics can irritate newly waxed skin, so opt for light cotton panties, as opposed to lace or nylon.

DO NOT: Wax Sensitive Skin

Do not wax areas that have sunburn, a rash, recent scar tissue, pimples, or other irritation. If you have sensitive skin, you’ll want to perform a 24-hour patch test on a small area to see how your skin reacts before proceeding with a full-wax session. It’s also best not to do a DIY bikini or brazilian wax during your period, as you will likely be more sensitive and prone to experience discomfort.

DO NOT: Drink Significant Amounts of Alcohol or Coffee Before Waxing

Natalie says that doing so can tighten your pores and make the wax feel painful. You should also avoid bikini waxing if you are taking oral retinoids or using topical retin A.

DO NOT: Shave In Between Waxes or Wait Too Long to Wax

If you think you want to stick to waxing, try not to shave between waxes to reduce irritation and ingrown hairs. Hair can grow back thinner and weaker the more you wax, but if you shave between waxing your hair will continue to grow coarsely. The length between waxing can vary to anywhere between 3-8 weeks, as hair grows back at different rates for different people and body parts.

Sticking to a normal waxing schedule will make the process that much easier. Your hair must be at least 1/8 in. long or the process will not be effective. Also, try not to wax or use cream in the same area twice, as this can cause your skin to become irritated. Try removing excess hairs with tweezers. Another common mistake is removing wax strips too slowly. The trick is to pull quickly and swiftly for best results and less discomfort.

DO NOT: Use Products with Fragrances

Steer away from fragrances or creams with fragrance after a wax to reduce irritation. It is also recommended to avoid working out, soaking in a tub or jacuzzi, avoid saunas, or anything with high heat due to the area being sensitive.

Need Product Recommendations for Certain Areas? See Below!

For Legs: Nad’s Body Wax Strips ($8.99 for 24 ct on Amazon) are suitable for all skin types and are easy to use on your legs and can leave you hair free for up to several weeks. They’re made with all natural beeswax and have the ability to remove hair as short as 2 mm. Each strip is created with a contour weave soft fabric strip to ensure that it can easily conform to the curves of any body. Post-wax calming oil wipes help remove excess wax and allow your skin to feel soothed and refreshed after waxing.

For Arms: Try a hair removal cream. The active ingredients target the hair shaft for effective hair removal and smoother skin. Hair removal cream is also great if you have a lower pain tolerance to waxing as it is totally painless! Nad’s Sensitive Hair Removal Cream ($5.99 on Amazon) is specifically formulated with soothing agents such as honey & chamomile to form a protective skin barrier, while the active agents target the hair shaft for effective and smooth hair removal.

For Bikini Area: For the body and bikini area, I recommend using a wax kit, such as Nad’s Natural Sugar Wax ($12.99 at Ulta or Amazon) or Nad’s Charcoal Bead Wax ($16.99 on Amazon). Both are applied with a spatula, as opposed to ready-to-use wax strips. With wax kits you have more control over the areas you want to apply wax to. They also help to ensure you are applying the wax thickly and evenly over the area, which is especially necessary for coarser hair.

For a Full Brazilian: Nad’s Brazilian & Bikini Wax ($12.99 on Amazon) is a go-to. It’s a great salon quality hard wax that is formulated with beeswax for delicate skin. It’s also gentle and can help skin stay smooth and hair free for up to 8 weeks!

For Eyebrows: The Nad’s Natural Precision Eyebrow Wax Wand ($12.99 at CVS) is great for brows because the SlimTip applicator allows you to apply the wax very precisely, giving you complete control of your shape and confidence for DIY waxing and the mistake-proof formula easily washes away with water if you make a mistake! Additionally, feel free to tweeze out stray hairs after waxing, but don’t go overboard. Over-plucking is one of the most common mistakes people can make when it comes to brow maintenance.

You can purchase all products reviewed and mentioned on BeautyStat.com!

What are your favorite at-home waxing products?

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– Dawn Santamarina, Managing Editor

You can follow Dawn on Instagram @missdawn1012

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