Although waxing may seem simple, waxing mistakes are very common, since they are part of the lack of experience, skill and constant practice. But, if you want to maintain a longer waxing, as well as a cleaner and healthier look to your skin, we must avoid them.
However, even though we have so many options available for waxing, there are some common mistakes that we all make, which cannot only cause pain during waxing but can also cause some skin-related problems. Without further ado, here are some waxing mistakes that most of us make.
1. Waxing of body hair that is excessively short or long
This is one of the most common waxing mistakes that we often see, as many girls will not wait until their body hair has grown long enough to remove. Which ends up causing uneven hair growth and makes grasping shorter hair more difficult. But in addition to that, it makes waxing less effective.
It is much better if we wait 15 to 20 days before waxing, in this way we will allow the wax to adhere sufficiently to the hair. Being approximately ¼ inch or the size of a grain of rice, the ideal length to do so. Likewise, if we have very long hair, we must trim it before, because trying to wax hair that is too long can increase your chances of experiencing pain, irritation, and bruising.
2. Waxing in the wrong direction
It is important that you always remove the strip of wax in the opposite direction of hair growth, as this is the most effective technique. Although sometimes when trying to wax at home, many women generally forget this rule, damaging their skin in the process and hurting themselves, which can also increase your chances of developing ingrown hairs.
It is advisable to pull the wax with a quick movement in the opposite direction. This way you will have better results and you will feel much less pain.
3. Not use talcum powder, one of the waxing mistakes that you should avoid
Our skin is capable of producing oils that create a natural barrier between the wax and the skin. This makes it much more difficult for the wax to adhere to the skin and hair. Therefore, if you have showered or cleaned your skin before waxing, you should apply baby talcum powder to the areas to be waxed, since it will absorb the oils from the skin and will make it easier for the hair to adhere to the wax.
4. Not exfoliate the skin before waxing
One of the main problems people face when waxing is ingrown hair. But what many seem to ignore is that it can be easily avoided with regular exfoliation. Exfoliation will allow the wax to adhere to the hair instead of dead cells, which means they will get a cleaner and more efficient “pull”.
It is recommended that a few days before applying any wax, perform a gentle exfoliation in the area to be waxed with a cloth or loofah sponge. Likewise, in the days prior to waxing, it is recommended to maintain hydration by applying moisturizing cream. But remember, when waxing, you should clean the area and make sure it is completely dry for best results. Also, avoid the use of chemical peels, including AHA, BHA, and retinol.
5. Forget about aftercare
Waxing correctly is not only about previous care, because after waxing the body you also have to take certain skin care. Therefore, it is not recommended to swim or expose yourself directly to sunlight, as the sun’s rays will irritate the open hair follicles. Also, we must avoid the use of perfumes, deodorants, sprays or makeup in the depilated areas, since its contact with open pores can cause itching and irritation.
We should also avoid wearing tight clothing, because in addition to causing sweating, they will cause bacteria to start growing instantly. Please note that these precautions should be followed for at least 24 hours after any type of hair removal. Finally, after waxing it is essential to maintain good hydration of the skin, so that it recovers.
6. Not waxing regularly
Waxing allows hair to grow as naturally intended. Therefore, if it is done regularly, the hair weakens and diminishes in quantity and thickness over time. Likewise, this practice will make each waxing less painful and can gradually stop hair growth, giving more lasting results. So depending on the growth it is advisable to wax every 15 to 20 days.
7. Wait less than 24 hours to get a tan
This is one of the waxing mistakes that many women make. But you should know that by tanning right after waxing, the hair follicles will not have enough time to close properly. Therefore, there is a greater risk of spots and burns and it is essential that the lipid layer is restored with a moisturizing product.
So, to be safe, we must allow at least two days to pass before tanning so that our skin can recover from the trauma.
8. Go directly to the beach or pool
Just as we must avoid sun exposure and tanning for 48 hours after waxing, the pool and the beach are also prohibited. This is because chlorine and sand could irritate our skin, especially since the pores are still open and it is more susceptible. Therefore, if you are planning to go on vacation, try to wax a couple of days before so you can go to the beach without problems.
9. Take hot baths
There is nothing like a hot bath when we need to relax, but it is best to stay away from them for 24 hours after waxing. Heat only aggravates post-waxing irritation and redness. In addition, it will dry out the skin and open the pores, which is a risk factor for ingrown hairs to appear.
10. Go to the gym too soon
Although many women may be eager to go to the gym, they should stay away from it, just for a day or two. Very tight clothing will not only cause too much friction, which causes additional redness and ingrown hairs. Also, as we mentioned, feeling hot and sweating creates the perfect environment for a bacterial infection.
ALFA