If you’ve never found yourself sprawled on the bathroom floor, cursing some appletini-scented goop that’s fused with your skin for all eternity, you might think at-home waxing is easy. Just rub and peel, right? But until you’ve been there, bare bottom against the cold tile, sweat rushing down your temples, you have no idea.
“Unless you’re a trained aesthetician, we say avoid waxing completely,” says Amy Finnegan Burns, VP of operations and training at WAXON Laser + Waxbar. “You’re not going to be able to hold your skin taut, which is the number one rule of waxing.” Basically, only contortionists could maneuver themselves in the positions needed to avoid bruising, she says.
That’s the first reason. The second? “People are awful with instructions!” Any misstep and you could burn yourself. Badly. And even if you do follow the leaflet to a tee, every microwave is different, so getting the temperature right is often a game of Russian roulette.
To ensure no one injures themselves or ends up in a fetal position on the bathroom floor, we asked the expert to share her preferred removal options for every body part. Here it goes.
Armpits
“Keep it simple and shave,” says Finnegan Burns. Simple as it may be, though, you still want to be mindful of a few Dos and Don’ts. First off, change your razor regularly. Most last between three and 10 shaves, says the pro. After that, the blades become dull and, most worrisome, filled with bacteria. “Your shower’s the perfect environment for bacteria to grow in because it’s warm and moist.” You also want to make sure to use a cream or oil as your medium to avoid irritation, and always shave against the growth. “Normally, underarm hair grows in two different sections: downward and to the side, so follow that. I know it takes an extra minute or two, but it will really help get a smoother result.”
Arms
This is an area where shaving isn’t recommend, says the expert, as it will make the hair grow back coarser. If you’re interested in starting laser hair removal, then shaving could help prepare you for that, but if you’re not planning on it, reach for depilatory cream instead. “It’s a good place to use this kind of product because arms aren’t typically sensitive,” she says. “Again, you have to read the instructions carefully, but the chances of burning your arms are much lower than, say, your face.” In fact, she often recommends doing a test patch on the arm when considering using a depilatory cream somewhere else on the body.
Below the belt
“This is the area we get the most questions about!” Of all the options, she says trimming is your best bet. “Yes, it’s not removing hair from the root and you’re not getting a smooth finish, but trimming will keep things tidy without disrupting the growth cycle and all the hard work you’ve put into waxing and getting your hair sparser,” she says. It also won’t cause any irritation or itch, two things this sensitive region is particularly prone to. For best results, she recommends brushing up the hair in the opposite direction before using your trimmer and cleaning it well after each use.
Now, if you absolutely want to see the hair gone, you could shave, she says, cautioning that it will grow back thicker. Grab a clean razor you won’t be using anywhere else and shave against the growth, applying a cream or oil beforehand. “The option I’d least recommend would be depilatory cream because it can cause skin sensitivity,” says Finnegan Burns. “If you’ve used it in the past on your bikini area and were absolutely fine, then great. But if you haven’t tried it before or have sensitive skin, test it elsewhere first.”
To prevent irritation, steer clear of heat (i.e., hot showers, baths, hot tubs, steam rooms and saunas) and friction (including tight underwear and sex) for 24 hours after using a depilatory cream. You’ll also want to avoid using any cream or oil on the area as it could seep into pores and cause infection.
Legs
Like underarms, legs can be shaved with minimal risk—as long as you’re coating them with something slippery, that is. “Never dry shave! Your legs will be dry and irritated,” she cautions. If you’re applying a nice cream or oil and you’re not using an old razor, then shaving is an effective and convenient method to keep your gams smooth. “Even if you are an avid waxer, it’s an area where you won’t notice coarser hairs. It’s a very quick hair growth cycle, so shaving won’t disrupt it very much.” Finally, the pro’s number one rule when it comes to hair removal is to simply do you. “These are all great tips for people who are concerned about hair, but if you want to let it grow out, just go for it!”
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