5 tips to get the best out of your waxing treatments

Waxing at home is cheap, easy, and effective, but you have to know how to do it right. Follow our 5 pro tips to get the best out of your at-home waxing experience.

Waxing
© Getty Images
Waxing

For soft, smooth, blemish-free skin, waxing (hot or cold) at home is your best bet, especially in times of quarantine. It's just as effective as any spa treatment and will give you long-lasting results—that's smooth skin for up to 3 to 4 weeks! For best results, read up on our list of things you should know before you get started.

Discover our latest podcast

Set the stage

Some hair removal techniques can cause irritation or allergic reactions. To avoid these side effects, we recommend testing the product the day before your scheduled wax, on a small part of your body. If your skin doesn't react to it within the following 24 hours, you're good to go!

The day before your hair removal session, exfoliate the parts of your body you plan to wax to get rid of dead skin and prevent ingrown hairs. That way, you'll have a soft bikini, legs, and armpits for much longer after waxing!

Perfect hygiene!

You can't get perfect wax without perfect hygiene. Make sure to wash your hands and the body parts you'll be waxing with soapat least two hours beforehand. If you're going to be using instruments like a spatula or tweezers, make sure to disinfect those with rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, too. For health reasons, you shouldn't lend your hair removal equipment to anyone.

Talcum powder is your friend

Before you start waxing, put some talcum powder on the part of your body you'll be waxing. It'll make it easier to remove the hair and allow the wax to stick properly. Talcum powder has the ability to absorb any moisture on the skin (eg. sweat) that could make waxing less effective.

After removing each strip, press on the freshly waxed skin with your hand. That pressure will soothe your skin.

Proceed with care

First, if you're using hot wax, make sure it's not too hot before spreading it on your skin. Next, regardless of whether you're using hot or cold wax, be sure to follow the instructions carefully.

For best results, apply the wax in the direction of hair growth. Once the wax has adhered to your skin, immediately rip the strip off, pulling it in the opposite direction. Not only does this prevent ingrown hairs, but it also allows for quick and effective hair removal. If you miss a few stubborn hairs, you can pluck them with tweezers.

Moisturize

Once you're done waxing, wipe your newly waxed skin with an oil-soaked wipe to remove any wax residue. Then, moisturize with shea or coconut butter to deeply nourish the skin. If you're into more natural products, you can try an aloe vera-based moisturizer instead! It'll soothe any existing skin irritation or prevent it from happening.

Finally, avoid using artificially scented skincare products on your waxed skin for the next 24 hours.

3 Tips On How To Best Get Rid Of Spots 3 Tips On How To Best Get Rid Of Spots