Many new waxing clients assume that great results depend solely on the hair removal process, but it is your responsibility to teach them the importance of proper after-wax care. From the top products to apply post-wax to the activities your clients should avoid, this guide will help you and your customers embrace a better aftercare experience – and achieve better results!
What should you do for post-wax care?
Even with a perfect technique and high-quality waxes designed for delicate skin, your clients will likely experience redness, irritation, and heightened sensitivity for 24 to 48 hours after a hair removal session. Here are some of the top after-wax care products available to soothe, moisturize, and nourish their skin:
Always apply post-depilatory lotion
Post-depilatory lotions are a staple in spas and waxing studios. In addition to soothing and moisturizing your client’s skin, these products also remove any remaining stickiness and wax residue. One great option is the Post-Wax Lotion from WaxOne, with key ingredients like mineral and sweet almond oils.
Some lotions even contain emulsions to slow hair growth. The Growth Minimizing Post-Wax Lotion from Waxness includes Decelerine Complex, which directly affects the matrix cells inside hair follicles and reduces the thickness and appearance of regrowth.
Consider using a cooling gel for after-wax care
A lightweight cooling gel is a great way to disrupt inflammation as soon as it begins to develop. ItalWax’s Post-Depil Cooling Gel is oil-free and non-comedogenic. It also contains aloe vera, tea tree oil, and menthol for a cooling effect on the skin.
Use products to prevent ingrown hairs
Tender, itchy, and unsightly, ingrown hairs are the last thing anyone wants to see between waxing sessions. Fortunately, we have some fantastic after-wax care products to limit or eliminate their appearance. ItalWax Ingrown Hair Therapy is available in two formulations.
For preventative treatments and large surface areas, such as arms and legs, we recommend the Concentrated Lotion. The Active Paste is ideal for faces, bikini lines, and underarms. This product prevents ingrown hairs and treats existing bumps.
Always recommend high-quality products
As a licensed esthetician, your clients look to you for knowledgeable advice about skincare. Lead them in the right direction by selling and using professional products that are best for their skin. With sound guidance and a range of high-quality products, your clients will return with wonderful results time after time.
What should you avoid after waxing?
Understanding what you should do after waxing is only half of the aftercare equation. Here are the activities your clients should avoid after a wax to care for their skin and prevent painful side effects:
Avoid exfoliating
Exfoliating between waxing sessions is essential for optimal results, but it must be timed correctly. Remind your clients that waxing inherently removes the outermost layer of skin, and those tender new cells aren’t equipped to handle physical or chemical exfoliation right away. It’s best to gently exfoliate starting 24 to 72 hours after a wax.
Don’t go swimming
Swimming pools and open bodies of water can harbor harmful bacteria, putting your clients at risk of dangerous infections. Additionally, exposure to salt and chlorine can irritate and dehydrate the skin, causing some people to develop small bumps on freshly waxed skin. For the best results, encourage your customers to schedule waxing sessions at least two days before taking a dip.
Stay away from physical exercise
For a couple of days post-wax, it’s best to avoid any physical activity that creates friction or involves working up a sweat. Workouts that generate friction are also off-limits after waxing. So, clients should delay intense exercise and avoid sex for 48 hours, especially after a Brazilian or bikini wax.
That’s because the sweat our bodies produce while exercising contains pesky salts and bacteria, which can invade open pores and follicles, increasing the risk of folliculitis. Meanwhile, additional friction can quickly damage tender, post-wax skin.
Keep away from sun exposure and tanning
Proper sun protection should be a non-negotiable part of any client’s daily skin care routine, but it’s particularly important after a wax. For 24 to 48 hours post-treatment, skin is highly susceptible to sun damage, leading to burns, scarring, and hyperpigmentation.
Advise clients to avoid tanning or any extended sun exposure for at least two days. If time outdoors is absolutely necessary, suggest protective clothing and a high-SPF mineral sunscreen.
Skincare a few days after a wax
Many of us are devoted to our daily skin care routines, treating these rituals as meditative grounding rituals rather than items on a to-do list. Here’s how waxing can throw off this practice and when your clients can return to their normal protocol:
When you can exfoliate again
Your clients can reintroduce gentle exfoliation 72 hours after a wax. This allows time for sensitivity to subside and for pores to close, making the process more comfortable and effective.
If there’s lasting inflammation and redness
Following up with customers about their recovery is a great way to nourish client relationships. Your customers will appreciate the check-in, and it shows that you care about them and their needs. If redness and inflammation persist beyond a few days, refer them to a dermatologist or healthcare professional.
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