It’s the second snooze on the alarm clock, the shower mirror is fogged, and you’re shaving over skin that was just shaved yesterday. Before long, you’ll feel that prickly stubble on your collar or waistband. Then you’ll be in the gym, and sweat will land on a fresh shave and sting in that way you know too well, which is burning, stinging, and even bumps. If you’re like most people who shave, this cycle is almost a part of your everyday routine.
If that cycle sounds all too familiar, you may be considering waxing as a way to get more time between grooming sessions. Because wax removes the entire hair from the root instead of just shaving the surface, the regrowth takes a bit longer to emerge. But switching to waxing takes a bit of a commitment if the shave routine has been a part of your morning ritual for years, right along with your toothbrush and deodorant.
Why You May Feel Like You’re Always Shaving
Shaving is quick and easy, and provides a very close shave. But soon enough, the hair re-grows, and the tip of the hair feels blunt and rough when you put on leggings, pull a stiff work collar around, or rest your arm on a rough desk edge. Shave that same patch again and you may be shaving skin that hasn’t quite healed yet. And ingrown hairs can also be a problem. If a short hair curls back into the skin or gets trapped under dead skin cells (there is a useful breakdown at https://mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions), then you can end up with a painful bump in places where a backpack strap, sports bra band, or pant seams rub. And poking at them with your fingernails or tweezers can irritate the skin and potentially leave a scar.
What To Know Before Your First Waxing Appointment
For the wax to grab hold of the hair, it needs to grow out a little bit. Going right after a shave means there’s not much for the wax to grab on to, much like trying to pick up a thread that’s been cut level with the fabric. The staff at A Better Cut Salon will be able to advise you on how long you should wait, depending on the body area and how long you’ve been shaving.
Here are some tips to prepare for your first appointment:
- Dress comfortably; wear a pair of soft sweatpants or a soft cotton tee instead of pants with a hard waistband that would rub against your skin.
- Come to your appointment with clean, dry skin and no body oils.
- Mention any irritation, open sores, sunburn, or products you’ve used that might have made your skin extra-sensitive.
- Don’t work out right before your appointment. A damp compression layer and rubbing can be irritating on freshly-waxed skin.
- Exfoliating gently before your appointment may help remove dead surface cells that could interfere with hair removal, but don’t go too hard with your scrubber or brush. If you use a rough exfoliating glove or mitt, using it with too much pressure the night before could make your skin more sensitive than using a softer washcloth a few days before.
Your First Time May Not Be Perfect
Because hair has its own growth cycle, the first appointment may not get all the hairs at once. In fact, you may notice that some of the hair will return sooner than expected. Some of the hair that returns could look like a few tiny dark pencil strokes among smooth skin. If you reach for your razor to shave those areas, you could throw off the schedule for future appointments.
As you continue with waxing, it may become easier to keep track of when to come in because there will be more hair to remove at each appointment. How long it takes for you to need to return depends on the area you’re treating, your hair type, and your preferences. Keep an eye on the calendar, but also keep an eye out for when the hair gets long enough for the wax to grab onto, or when it starts snagging on socks, cuffs, and tight clothes.
How to Care for Your Skin After the Appointment
During the first day or two, try to stay away from things like heat, friction, and excessive sweating (look here). Sitting in a hot car or getting in a sauna, going for a swim, or doing a long spin class may feel a lot worse on freshly waxed skin. Stick with loose clothing and avoid activities that make you sweat heavily. If your skin is a little red, letting it breathe in a cool, comfortable environment may help it to calm down faster.
Once your skin is calm, you can start to gently exfoliate the skin to prevent hairs from becoming trapped. Don’t use a sharp-edged object to repeatedly scrape at a bump that appears. Using a moisturizer can also help keep skin soft and supple, which is especially helpful on areas like the knees and ankles that tend to get dry and flaky.
A New Grooming Routine With More Time Between Visits
Letting the razor sit idle in the drawer might feel odd if you’re used to shaving regularly, especially when a morning shave is part of a rushed work day. However, with a little preparation, a realistic outlook, and easy-to-follow post-shave care, waxing can take the place of a daily scrape-and-rinse routine with spaced-out salon visits and calmer mornings, even while your coffee cools beside a half-packed gym bag.
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