Whether you shave, sugar, laser or wax, we can all agree that hair removal is a bit of a pain — literally and figuratively. Even if you get waxed regularly, you probably have a few burning questions about the process that you don't want to ask once you're already in the chair. So, we brought in hair removal expert and the founder of Waxon Wax Bar Lexi Miles, to help answer all of your waxing queries.
"I haven't waxed or shaved my bikini area in a very long time. Should I trim before getting a wax?"
Lexi says: Yes. The ideal length of hair is a grain of rice. Trimming will minimize the pull and reduce your risk of ingrown hairs. Another important point here is frequency of waxing. Ideally, you want all of your hair on the same growth cycle, so book your waxing every 4-6 weeks. Doing this will help to ensure your hair grows at the same length, so you achieve the most flawless results. It will also ensure a reduction of hair growth over time!
"What's the trendy hair-do 'down there' right now?"
Lexi says: The trend we're seeing right now is still removing all hair or "taking it all off." This is obviously a personal preference, and depends on what you're comfortable with, but we do consistently see women and wanting the "full monty." Same goes for men!
"I can't wax without getting ingrown hairs. What am I doing wrong? Am I the problem?"
Lexi says: Make sure to prep your skin for a wax by exfoliating and hydrating beforehand to avoid ingrown hairs. For coarser hair, use something more abrasive, like a firmer loofa or a scrub with all-natural ingredients, sea salt and a hydrating property, like coconut oil. For areas that are more sensitive, use a sugar scrub 2-3 times per week. You can also use a post-wax serum, like the Princereigns Ingrown Hair Serum.
"I have ZERO tolerance for pain and I don't want to be seen crying in public. How can I make it hurt less?"
Lexi says: Here's how to ensure a pain free wax: know which waxes work best for different hair types and different parts of your body. Hard wax is great for coarser hair and more sensitive areas like your nostrils and below the belt. Strip wax works best for larger surface areas like your arms or legs. When choosing your wax, look for ingredients like natural beeswax, coconut oil, titanium dioxide and mica. These will calm the skin and allow the wax to grip the hair tighter, to ensure that it pulls out hair on the first try. Also, if you're still nervous about pain, take a Ibuprofen before your wax!
