Everything You Need to Know about Facial Waxing

Unwanted hair on your face can leave you feeling self-conscious. Perhaps you’ve spent a significant amount of time in front of the mirror going at the rogue hairs with a pair of tweezers. You may be thinking, “There has to be a better way.” And, indeed, there is!

Facial waxing is a process that involves removing unwanted facial hair at the root, leaving you with a smooth, hair-free face for several weeks. Here are some things you should know about facial waxing to help you decide if it is the right option for you.

Preparing Your Face

You can’t just walk in to a salon and expect a waxing treatment. You have to do some preparation first, so scheduling an appointment is crucial. In order for a waxing session to be successful, there has to be sufficient hair to wax in the first place. So, if you regularly pluck or do any at home waxing, you will need to take a hiatus from your normal routine. The hairs need to be approximately ¼ to ½ inch in length, giving the wax something to hold on to and pull out. Growing out facial hair can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to grow out.

If You are Acne Prone

If you are acne prone, facial waxing may not be right for you. This is because your skin is more sensitive, and sensitive skin is more prone to tearing during the procedure. Not only that, but waxing may cause more acne breakouts after the procedure is done. If you are acne prone, you may seriously want to consider an alternative, such as laser treatments or electrolysis.

Your Skincare Routine Affects the Outcome

Your skincare routine will affect the outcome of facial waxing. If you are using topical treatments, such as Retin-A, or taking antibiotics, your skin is going to become much more sensitive, and, once again, prone to tearing.

How Painful Is Waxing?

Waxing can be painful. After all, you are using a substance that pulls hair directly out at the root. Additionally, if you have certain medical conditions, are on certain medications, or your hormones are higher (such as during menstruation or pregnancy), your skin will likely be more sensitive, which can increase pain. However, a good esthetician will do everything they can to help reduce the amount of pain you will experience.

Does the Hair Grow Back Thicker and Darker?

In the beginning, especially after your first waxing treatment, you may notice the hair growing back thicker and darker. This usually occurs because the hairs were broken, rather than removed at the root. Some people don’t experience this. And, over time, with more treatments, the hair regrowth will decrease and become less noticeable.

Avoid Double Dipping

Double dipping is the practice of using an applicator to retrieve wax from the pot, apply it to the skin and then stick that same applicator back into the pot again. The wax is used on several patients, so this means that every time the applicator is stuck back into it, bacteria and pathogens from each and every person are added into the mix, and can easily be transferred to subsequent patients. For your health and safety, make sure that your esthetician avoids this practice.

After Effects

There are some after effects to be aware of. One of the biggest effects of waxing is experiencing redness and swelling. Some experience this for only a few minutes, while others experience redness for several hours. And while you may be tempted to cover the redness up with make-up, you should avoid this as the products can agitate irritated skin. You may also notice a bit of acne. If you are waxing before a big event, be sure to schedule a few days in advance in order to give yourself enough time to heal properly. Watch out for signs of an allergic reaction, such as severe pain or swelling, that won’t dissipate on its own.

Waxing is a great way to rid your face of unwanted hair, and give you smooth sleek appearance. While it isn’t permanent, it lasts for several weeks, and continued treatments will lessen the regrowth of those pesky hairs. If you are interested in facial waxing, contact Vargas Face and Skin Center today to schedule your appointment.