After a wax, the skin is susceptible and needs special care. Avoid clogging pores and irritating the area immediately to prevent ingrown hairs, breakouts, rashes, and blemishes.

Petak recommends using products with calming ingredients such as aloe, chamomile, sea kelp, and narcissus tazetta bulb extract to soothe the area post-wax. She also suggests moisturizing with a product that contains antiseptic ingredients like tea tree oil and niacinamide.

Exfoliate

While exfoliating skin is essential to a healthy skin care routine, clients should only exfoliate the areas waxed about 48 hours after service. Exfoliating while the pores are open can cause the skin to react negatively, resulting in a rash or breakouts.

During these first few days after waxing, clients should also avoid hot baths or showers and any other sources of moisture, such as saunas. Heat causes sweating, which can transport bacteria into the pores. This can clog pores and lead to inflammation, breakouts, and ingrown hairs.

Petak recommends soothing ingredients, such as aloe, chamomile, and sea kelp, during these first few days to help calm the skin. And once the pores are closed, she advises that exfoliating the bikini area a few times a week with a non-comedogenic scrub can prevent ingrown hairs in the future.

Avoid Tight Clothes

Clients must wear loose, comfortable clothing that protects their skin from friction or sweat build-up after waxing. This will help the skin heal faster, avoiding ingrown hairs and other unwanted side effects.

Clients should avoid using scented or highly perfumed body butter, lotions, or body washes on the waxed area. These can clog pores and cause breakouts, irritation, and bumps on freshly waxed skin.

Lastly, clients should avoid hot baths (cool to lukewarm water is fine) and steamy workouts or saunas for at least 48 hours after waxing Long Island NY. Sweat can lead to bacteria build-up and friction on the sensitive skin, leading to inflammation and itchiness.

Moisturize

Keeping the skin hydrated is vital to preventing ingrown hairs. For the first few days after waxing, clients should avoid intense physical activity and shower with hot or cold water. Hot water can cause sweating and bacteria build-up on the newly waxed area, while cold water can leave it feeling tight and irritated.

Engelman recommends using a moisturizer with glycerin to help prevent ingrown hairs and smooth skin. She advises clients to gently exfoliate the area 2-3 times a week with a body scrub or body mitt, but not immediately after waxing.

Clients should also avoid wearing tight clothing, which can lead to rashes and friction in the freshly waxed area. Finally, avoiding using highly scented or perfumed lotions on the site is essential, especially in intimate areas after a Brazilian or Hollywood wax. For the first 48 hours after a wax, clients should also avoid swimming or going to the beach because salt and chlorine can irritate sensitive skin.

Avoid Heat

Keeping the skin cool is the key to maintaining smooth and bump-free results after waxing. To do so, clients should avoid hot showers, baths, saunas, steam rooms, and hot tanning beds for at least 24 hours after waxing.

Sweating after waxing can irritate sensitive skin and cause bacteria to thrive in the open pores, leading to infection. Additionally, friction from exercise can clog the open pores, contributing to bumps and ingrown hairs.

Lastly, clients should stay out of the pool and beach for at least 48 hours after a wax because the chlorine can shock fresh, newly-waxed skin and cause itching and redness. Suppose a client does decide to swim or spend time outdoors. In that case, they should apply a natural sun protector containing shea butter or oils to protect the skin from UVB and UVA rays and prevent dryness.