All your questions, answered.
May 19, 2020
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With salons and spas closed until further notice in light of COVID-19, the idea of waxing at home might sound more appealing by the day, especially if waxing is usually your preferred method of body hair removal. Yet, just like any procedure ordinarily performed by licensed estheticians and dermatologists, at-home waxing is not a process to be taken lightly.
If you’re not professionally trained, pouring a hot, sticky substance onto your skin can be a pretty risky business. Even so, there are still plenty of options for safe DIY waxing, no matter your experience level.
To find out the best way to wax at home, we spoke to Virginia-based esthetician Sarah Akram to discuss anything from her preferred type of wax to what proper aftercare should look like. As long as you’re extra careful and use the appropriate tools, her technique for at-home waxing should go smoothly, whether you’re a first-time waxer or have been around the bend a few times. Keep reading for Teen Vogue’s complete guide to waxing from the comfort of your own bathroom. (A note: Akram does not recommend performing a bikini or Brazilian wax at home.)
What Type of Wax Should I Use?
If you’ve done any research on at-home waxing, chances are you’ve come across plenty of DIY kits that require users to melt and apply the wax themselves. Though the idea of playing around with melted wax may sound fun, Akram advises against it. Instead, she recommends using pre-waxed strips for removing unwanted hair. “I like the pre-waxed strips for at-home use because most folks don’t have training on how to heat and apply wax,” she explains. “Hot wax can get messy, too hot, and can cause serious burns. So the pre-waxed strips are the safest option for at-home use!”
Sally Hansen W-SC-2018 Hair Remover Wax Kit
$10 $5
Amazon
How Long (or Short) Does My Hair Need to Be to Wax?
Whether it’s on your arms, legs, or more sensitive areas of the body, hair length is an important factor to keep in mind when waxing at home. Akram recommends waxing when your hairs measure about three-quarters of an inch, or about the length of a grain of rice. If yours are longer than that, give them a trim before reaching for your wax strips. A pair of small, sharp scissors can do the job for some areas, but if you’re working on a particularly sensitive region, consider investing in an electric body hair trimmer.
Conair All-In-One Precision Trimmer
$20
Conair All-In-One Precision Trimmer
How to Wax: Step-by-Step Instructions
“The application and removal of your strips are incredibly important,” Akram says, noting that you should never wax the same area more than once with an at-home product. To begin the waxing process, cleanse the skin using a cotton pad saturated with an astringent like witch hazel. Once it’s dry, you can apply a wax strip — but do so carefully. “Once the area to be waxed is dry, make sure to apply the strip in the same direction of your hair growth,” advises Akram. “Rub the wax strip in the motion of your hair growth with medium pressure five to six times. When you pull the strip you want to pull the opposite way, against your hair growth. You want to pull as fast as possible, and make sure you pull as close to parallel to your skin as possible; do not pull the strip straight up. Once you pull the strip, press down on the area for five seconds with one of your hands to help prevent pain.”
T.N. Dickinson's 16 oz. Witch Hazel 100% Natural Astringent with 100 Pcs. Cotton Rounds
$23
Amazon
Waxing Aftercare
Once your at-home waxing job is complete, you might be tempted to exfoliate ASAP to prevent ingrown hairs but Akram recommends waiting at least 48 hours before doing so. In the meantime, she advocates cleaning the skin with witch hazel directly after waxing. Try this onefrom Thayers, which is infused with aloe vera to further reduce irritation. To prevent chafing, top it off with an unscented lotion for sensitive skin. Afterward, leave your skin alone!
Cetaphil Fragrance Free Moisturizing Lotion
$15 $10
Amazon
What If I Burn My Skin?
One of the best parts about waxing with pre-waxed strips is that there’s no chance of burning yourself, which is always a possibility when using at-home wax kits that require heating. In Akram’s mind, no one should be putting melted wax on their skin unless they’ve earned their credentials. She puts it simply: “Estheticians go through a lot of training so you don’t have to!”
Head to Toe Wax
$19
Flamingo
The Best At-Home Waxing Kits
You’ll be pleased to find out that Akram’s favorite at-home waxing kit is actually super affordable. “The best home waxing kit is the Sally Hansen Hair Remover Wax Strip Kit,” she says. “If you can’t get your hands on those, then look for another type of pre-waxed strip.” Check out the list below for more great pre-waxed strips, from packs of 40 to kits that also include post-wax cleaning cloths.
Nad's Body Wax Strips
$9 $7
Amazon
Sally Hansen W-SC-2018 Hair Remover Wax Kit
$10 $5
Amazon
Glee Body Wax Hair Removal Strips for Women, 32 Count
$9
Walmart
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