Male Waxing – Before and After Care
Just as important as the waxing itself is making sure you take care of your wax afterward. Please, please follow the advice of your Therapist and refer back here for a guide of what (and what not!) to do…
Before your Wax….
So you’ve booked a wax. Here’s a couple of tips to lessen the pain (and increase the longevity of the hair free feeling).
- If you’re really worried about the pain, and haven’t had waxing before then take 1 or 2 paracetamol about 30-40 minutes before your appointment. This can help reduce the surface discomfort.
- Make sure your hair is long enough to remove completely from the roots – it should be at least 0.5 centimetres. If you’ve shaved the area within the last few weeks it might take a couple of waxes to get your hair into a cycle of growth that allows the most effective wax finish.
After your Wax….
You’ve just invested time, money and a little discomfort in order to be hairfree – so it makes sense to look after it. We don’t just make this stuff up for the sake of it! So, read on boys…
Immediately after your wax
It’s normal immediately after your wax for a little bit of redness and a prickly heat type rash to appear. This should disappear after a few hours and is normally due to a histamine reaction. You’ve just had your hair removed at the root after all and this leaves your follicles exposed and more susceptible to bacteria. This is particularly so the first time you have an area waxed, as the hair bulb at the base of the hair is larger. So, the number one consideration is to ensure your follicles stay bacteria and infection free. This means:
- No sunbathing for at least 12 hours (have that wax at least the day BEFORE you go on summer holiday)
- No swimming in a chlorinated pool
- Same for spa baths or saunas (think bacteria breeding ground)
- Avoid applying any topical lotions for at least 12 hours (fragrances and other lubricants can cause a burning sensation)
- Also avoid touching the waxed area too much (again, bacteria breeding ground)
- Use a tea tree oil based product to apply to the area for it’s anti-bacterial qualities.
3-10 Days after waxing
As the risk of infection passes and your skin starts to close over the follicles, the next consideration is to ensure you prevent ingrown hairs. This is when the new, much softer hair gets trapped under the skin and can’t get out. If you don’t work to prevent this happening it can lead to itchiness, redness and from an asthetic persepctive – raised red lumps. And why would you want that when a few simple measures can easily avoid the situation. Here’s where the “do’s” come in:
- Use a soft brush or exfoliating glove to gently buff the area every 2-3 days – this is particularly important after about day 3 through to about the 10 day mark. It doesn’t need to be hard scrubbng, just a gentle exfoliation.
- Use a product like PFB to roll over the area after showering. This product contains lactic acid which helps ensure dead skin cells are buffed away allowing your hair back through the follicle opening.
- After following the above advice make sure you moisturise the area to keep it well hydrated (vitamin E based products are good).
The added bonus of following the after care advice (apart from your skin looking hairfree and smooth for longer), is that it really will make your next wax a whole lot quicker and less painful.
How long will your wax last?
If you’re a first-time or occasional waxer you will likely notice some new hair growth within 2-3 weeks due to the naturally staggered hair growth cycle. This part of regrowth will be sparse, about one-third of the hair normally present. Soon after the remaining hair will begin growing in.
Regular waxing will begin to leave the area hair free for up to two months, even longer for some. Over time the density of hair in the area can start to decrease. This is of particular interest for those interested in back and chest waxing as hair in the area can become more sparse. Certainly regrowth is less dense and thick than if you shave the area which increases the stubble effect.
