Are you afraid or nervous about getting your first wax? Here is our beginners’ survival guide, packed with waxing tips and tricks that will help you get through your first waxing experience and get hooked on our products!
Waxing has rapidly become the most common service offered at beauty salons and spas over the last several years. Most people choose waxing as a more longer-lasting hair removal option for their eyebrows, upper lip, armpit or even some more intimate places. But for those who have never done it before (or who’ve done it once and had a bad experience), it can seem a bit frightening. That is why we have put together a survival guide with some tips and tricks for those of you thinking about giving waxing a try so that you can get the inside scoop on everything from preparation and pain to what kind of results to expect.
With Harley Wax you can expect more than just a wax.
Who Should Wax
Waxing is a great substitute for shaving if you have hair you’re uncomfortable with. People of all ages and genders can have a wax. It is also recommended that people start getting wax treatments at a young age, when the hair is fine and will be less painful to remove; anyone can get it done, regardless of age.
Waxing vs. Shaving
Waxing is a better option as it removes the hair straight from the root. When you shave you are just cutting the hair, so two hours later, you can see the hair again or the blue shadow (the hair follicle below the skin). On the other hand, not only can waxing last up to a month, but it’s a more permanent option—over time it thins the hair so less grows back. As a bonus, it also exfoliates the skin which leaves you feeling silky smooth. Read more about this topic on out waxing vs shaving blog post.
Tips to Prepare for a Wax
If you’re worried about pain or discomfort, you should ensure that your waxing technician only uses Harley Wax as it is proven to be 98% effective against pain. It is important to scrub 48 hours before a wax treatment. Our Harley Pre-Waxing Oil is used with our Harley Hot and Film Wax as it enables the wax to shrink wrap to the hair and not the skin. It is also advisable that you do not apply body lotion the day of the wax. We recommend antiperspirant deodorant for underarm waxing as it comes off easier.
How Often should you Wax?
If you’ve shaven recently, you should wait five days before waxing. The time also varies between waxes, as it depends on how quickly or coarsely the hair grows back. We would recommend a 3-6 week timeline depending on the rate of the hair growth.
What to Expect
Your waxing technician will first clean and disinfect the area with something like the Harley Cleanser/Toner. After that, they’ll apply Harley Pre-Waxing Oil which is followed by the wax.. There are two different kinds of wax, soft wax and hard wax. Soft wax is done with paper or muslin strips, and hard wax is removed without strips. Hard wax is used to remove hair in the bikini, underarm and face area; soft wax is used on larger areas of the body such as the legs, arms or back. Afterwards, she’ll remove any waxy residue and apply cream or post-wax product such as Harley After Wax Oil or Harley Aloe Soothing Gel.
The Pain Factor
Waxing is uncomfortable because the hair is being pulled all the way out. If the roots are not pulled out, the discomfort is minimal but the results are also minimal. Discomfort is only felt at the time of service and stops immediately after. The Harley Pre-Waxing Oil reduces the pull on the skin, thus reducing the pain, redness and lowers the possibility of any ingrown hairs so if you are using the Harley Hot or Film Wax, it is highly recommended. To ensure that it has been done right, you may want to check the strips to ensure the roots were also removed (you should see a small dark bulb on the hair follicle).
Post Wax Tips
Although the pain does subside as soon as the wax is over, the area can remain sensitive, which is why you should not use any scrubs for the next 48 hours and you should not expose the area to direct sun for at least 24 hours. Harley After Oil Care is highly recommended as it reduces skin irritation, redness and the possibility of any ingrown hairs. The Tea Tree also acts as an anti bacterial agent to cleanse any dirt and dead skin leaving your skin clean and fresh.
Maintenance
After the tenderness has subsided, it is recommended to exfoliate in the shower. Exfoliation is done to remove the dead skin so that the pores don’t become clogged, which causes ingrown hairs and bumps. If you are prone to ingrown hairs we have the perfect solution for you. Our Harley Ingrown Hair Solution reduces the build-up of dead skin cells that can block pores, causing irritation and ingrown hairs. Use straight after waxing to soothe and treat skin, leaving a calm, refreshed and smooth result. If bumps do appear, you should definitely not tweeze them as this could damage the skin and leave permanent scarring.
Harley Wax has designed a wax that has a superior grip designed specifically for mens hair.
Waxing Hygiene
Most importantly, you should ensure that you go to a place with proper sterilization procedures. The technician should be licensed and she should not double-dip during the waxing session. Double dipping means that the technician used the same stick each time she dipped into the hot wax. Double dipping contaminates the wax and allows bacteria to spread from one client to another. You definitely wouldn’t want the wax used on your upper lip to have been mixed with a stick used on another woman’s bikini area.
The Bikini Wax
There is always special uncertainty when it comes to waxing the bikini area. However,it is actually very similar to the procedures for the rest of the body.
Bikini vs. Brazilian Wax Tips
A Brazilian wax removes more hair than a bikini wax. A bikini focuses on the front and sides (what would be visible in a your underwear or bikini) and the Brazilian removes the front, sides, back and everything in between, often only leaving a strip of hair in the front—or none at all. It is recommended that you leave your underwear on during a standard bikini wax, but for a Brazilian, you’ll have to be without your underwear.
Why Brazilian?
The top reasons for having a Brazilian wax are cleanliness, convenience and, of course, sexiness.
Does It Hurt More?
Some women can’t do the bikini wax, but they are perfectly okay with having their eyebrows. Others can do the bikini wax, but they can’t stand to wax their legs. Everyone is different. But the discomfort does become less the longer you do it. Eventually the hair becomes weak to a point where it doesn’t hurt at all.
Does It Matter What Time of the Month It Is?
Waxing usually hurts more the week before you menstruate, so it’s best to go in the week after. If you’re pregnant then waxing will be just like always, some days we are a little more sensitive than others.
Visit our Harley Wax online store to purchase your wax and oils now because once you go Harley, you’ll never go back.