Wax Treatment Preparation

To get the best out of the treatments here is how to prepare for waxing treatments:

1. Stop Plucking and Shaving

• stop shaving (2 weeks)/plucking (4 weeks) prior to your wax appointment. Longer hair (grain of rice length) allows the wax to get a better grip
• if performing wax treatments on face or brozilian, its recommended to extend this by 1 to 2 weeks, as the longer hair allows for better grip

2. Exfoliate

• pick up your exfoliating regimen days/weeks leading up to your appointment as this not only helps to remove any dead skin but may also help to dislodge any ingrown hairs
• avoid using any products that use microbeads for exfoliation as they can sometimes get caught in your skin and pores but they also wreak havoc on our environment
• avoid using loofas as they very quickly develop mold and mildew from remaining in a warm and damp shower
• use exfoliating gloves as they do an excellent job but you can also drop them in the washer once a week, ensuring all build up will be removed, leaving a clean glove to exfoliate with
• you can exfoliate up to 24 to 48 hours before but do not exfoliate the day of as the wax will already perform an exfoliation and the natural oils in your skin help to ensure we don't exfoliate too aggressively
• avoid exfoliating for at least 1 week after your waxing appointment as the wax will do a great exfoliating job and will be sensitive to any friction or abrasion following your wax treatment

3. Shower at least 24 hours before

• while showering the day of is very courteous, there are times when this isn't possible so not worry, so long as you've showered the day before, then that is greatly appreciated
• ensure you do a thorough job, getting into all nooks and crannies, especially in preparation for a brozilian wax!

4. Lotions and creams

• avoid using lotions and creams immediately before your appointment (ie. sunscreen/sunblock) as it will prevent the wax from adhering properly
• while it is recommended to avoid using lotions and creams, on the contrary, please ensure you moisturize all constantly dry areas days leading up to your appointment to ensure the wax doesn't adhere to your skin as wax will sometime be absorbed by dry skin, making it extremely difficult to remove
• do not use any creams and lotions immediately following your appointment for the next 4 hours as we do not want to clog your skin with unnecessary debris
• however, it is strongly recommended to use 100% natural coconut oil even immediately following your appointment as it is a natural antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, sunscreen (SPF 4 - 7), moisturizer
• avoid using anything that has added coconut to its ingredients as this does not have the same benefits as the aforementioned

5. Don't trim

• while you may want to trim back long, especially unruly hair, just leave the hair as it is. Your esthetician will determine if it needs to be trimmed back and will do it for you
• for some areas like the brozilian and face, having longer hair is ideal as it gives more grip that is needed for extracting

6. Medication

• some medication can affect your skin, leaving it extremely sensitive and/or prone to lifting
• Discontinue use of these medications for a minimum of three (3) months prior to waxing. The exception is Accutane: You must be off this medication for a minimum of one (1) year prior to waxing:
  • Accutane (Acne medication)
  • Adapalene (Acne medication)
  • Alustra (Retin A)
  • Avage (Acne medication)
  • Avita (Retin A)
  • Azelex (Peeling agent)
  • Clindamycin
  • Differin (Acne medication)
  • Doxycycline
  • Erythromycin
  • Isotretinoin (like Accutane)
  • Madifloxicine
  • Metronidazole
  • Prednisone
  • Renova (Retin A)
  • Retin A (Acne and Anti-aging medication)
  • Tazarac (Acne medication)
  • Tazarotene (Tazorac)
  • Tetracycline
  • Tretinoin (Retin A)

7. Pain suppressants

• you can take Ibuprofen and/or Tylenol an hour before your appointment to help with discomfort and swelling that might come along with the treatment
• some clients may experience some allergic reactions to the wax treatment, so taking some antihistamine medication after your appointment will help to reduce and eliminate these reactions
• numbing creams (eg. Emla or Zenza) can help dull the pain from waxing but just don't expect that it will fully eliminate pain and discomfort

8. Drugs, Alcohol and Coffee

• coffee can also exacerbate the effects of waxing so is recommended to avoid it
• refrain from drinking 48 hours before your appointment. Alcohol remains in your bloodstream for up 48 hours, resulting in a higher sensitivity to pain; however, it wouldn't be the first time a client's come in having drank a few glasses of wine to dull the pain
• while some may think smoking cannabis would help the pain, in many cases it enhances it; however, ingesting cannabis often yields a nice "body buzz" that could help relieve some of the pain
• clients have come in taking strong narcotics or even cocaine to ensure pain relief, however, the appointment is often so short that this would be simply overkill, not to mention avoiding taking these entirely unless otherwise prescribed or expecting to drive after the appointment. It's best to muscle through the short appointment and then enjoy weeks being hairfree!

9. Exercise

• perform any exercise routines immediately before your appointment followed by a proper shower to prepare for your appointment
• avoid exercise at least 24 hours after to allow your skin to regenerate natural oils that would otherwise protect your skin as we don't want to introduce any dirt or debris from sweating or wearing sweat drenched clothing
• avoid hot tubs, steam rooms, saunas, etc. for at least 24 hours to again, avoid sweating after your appointment

10. Clothing

• wear loose fitting clothing on the day of your appointment
• avoid wearing anything tight, especially underwear if having a brozilian done as you want to avoid too friction in these areas and loose clothing helps to avoid sweating
• wear natural materials like cotton instead of polyester or other man-made products as natural products help to breath and keep the skin dry and cool

11. Get in the right mindset

• get plenty of rest and try avoiding feeling worried or frantic, especially if it's your first wax
• do some research, watch some videos on how things are performed so you have an idea of what to expect if it's the unexpected that is giving you angst
• don't listen to others who share their waxing nightmares as they may have had these experiences because the esthetician was not knowledgeable, experienced or both
• ask as many questions in before, during and after your appointment. The more you know the better and knowing is half the battle!