By Jennifer Solis, Owner, Bless These Brows
The holiday season often means photos, parties, family get-togethers and travel—maybe to someplace sunny and warm! One item on the grooming “to-do” list is waxing. Waxing is one of the more popular and effective means of removing unwanted hair on various parts of the body. Wax is applied and then quickly pulled away, and the unwanted hair comes with it.
Men and women like waxing because it removes hair so completely and may extend the time it takes for hair to grow back, particularly when compared to shaving and depilatory creams. Do-it-yourself waxing seems like it would be convenient and economical, however, most women find that in-home waxing is not as easy as it may seem and often leads to irritation, ingrown hairs, and burning instead of smooth, hair-free skin. Waxing your skin is an art— that’s why it’s best to trust a professional to get the job done.
While effective, waxing can be a bit uncomfortable. Finding a qualified technician and visiting a salon that offers the greatest level of comfort is important. To get the best possible results and help the session go more smoothly, following are some things to know.
- Exfoliate the waxing area. Exfoliating can help remove a layer of dead skin cells and also dislodge any ingrown hairs. Exfoliating also can clean the area so wax can adhere properly.
- Ask about different wax types. Waxes generally come in soft and hard varieties. Hard waxes are primarily used for smaller areas of the body, including on the face, under the arms, around the ears, and around the bikini area. This type of wax hardens when it is cooled to minimize pulling on the skin. Soft waxes are usually the choice for larger areas of the body, like the legs, arms, and back. Soft waxes tend to be better at removing fine hairs.
- Achieve a good hair length. For wax to grab the hairs and remove them effectively, hair needs to be of a certain length. Most experts say that hair between 1⁄4 inch and 3⁄4 inches is ideal. However, a waxing technician can advise if hair is too long or too short for waxing.
- Alleviate the discomfort. Expect discomfort after waxing, but know that such discomfort can be minimized. Experienced aestheticians advise men and women to avoid alcohol and caffeine prior to an appointment. Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever around an hour before an appointment may help. Some salons may offer a numbing cream. Also, women should avoid waxing directly before their menstrual cycles when discomfort can be heightened.
- Choose a waxing salon. Technicians who specialize in waxing go through extensive training to make the process quick and efficient. This helps minimize discomfort and offers the best results.
The end of the year is a busy time for everyone—so call today to make your appointments for waxing as well as any of your eyebrow maintenance and skin rejuvenation procedures.
Jennifer Solis, owner of Bless These Brows, is a Licensed Aesthetician and Medical Aesthetics Certified. She specializes in skin rejuvenation procedures such as micro-dermabrasion and dermaplaning as well as micro-blading, which is a semi-permanent procedure to fill in thinning brows. She is located at 1212 Towanda Ave. For more information on services and appointment scheduling link, visit her website www.blessthesebrows.com. You can also reach her by phone at 309-831-7433.