WHAT  IS  WAXING?

Waxing is a form of hair removal.  Many different types of hair removal are available and waxing is one of the more popular ways of removing unwanted hair.  With waxing, warm wax is applied in the direction of the hair growth and removed quickly in the opposite direction.  Properly done, this process removes unwanted hair by the root, leaving your skin smooth and hair free for a period of time.  Regular waxing is necessary to achieve the full benefits.  In time you will experience fewer hairs growing back, which will allow your waxing sessions to be less painful and your skin to be even smoother.

WHY  WAX?

Waxing is wonderful!  If you are ready to rid yourself of unwanted hair in a method that offers lasting results, then waxing can be perfect for you.  If you currently shave and struggle with ingrown hairs, with waxing you should experience fewer skin irritations.  If you have dark, deep-rooted hairs that you would like to be less abundant, thinner and softer, with regular waxing you can receive these lasting results.  Waxing is great even if you just have peach fuzz hairs that you would prefer not to have.  Regular waxing trains the hair not to grow back as abundantly or as thick.  Follicles eventually give up growing replacement hairs after repeated waxing.

HOW  OFTEN  SHOULD  I  WAX?

You will get the best waxing results by waxing regularly.  After you’ve been waxed several times you will be able to gauge your hair cycles and see what time frame is best for you.  On average, I recommend my clients rebooking every three to six weeks.  Once you have been waxing for a while you will experience a slowdown of your hair growth and you can wait even longer in between waxing appointments.  Hair growth cycles are different for each person, so it is important to notice when your hairs become long enough to wax again.  It is important not to let all your hairs grow back in before waxing.  As soon as your hairs are long enough you can wax again.

IS  IT  TRUE  WAXING  MAKES  HAIR  GROW  BACK  THICKER  AND  DARKER?

No.  The myth that hairs grow back thicker, more abundant and darker after waxing is completely untrue.  Your hairs will never grow back in darker than your natural hair color from any waxing service.  In areas that are frequently exposed to sunlight, such as your forearms, it can seem like the hairs grow back darker after waxing.  But that is because the original hairs had time to lighten from sunlight exposure.  Wax services help to lessen, minimize and thin your hairs.  It does nothing to affect hair color.

WHY DOES WAXING PREVENT HAIR FROM GROWING BACK?

Regular waxing trains the hair not to grow back as abundantly or as thick.  Follicles eventually give up growing replacement hairs after repeated waxing.  Some people who have been waxed for years experience only 20% hair re-growth.  It will take some time, but you should begin to see a difference on your third or fourth waxing session.  We have three different cycles of hair growth.  Hairs long enough to wax may be part of once cycle, hairs just below the surface may be part of another.  Soon after waxing, if you feel new hairs poking through the skin, it’s probably because those new hairs are part of a different growth cycle.  The wonderful thing to waxing is that your hair growth will change for the better.  Some hairs will stop growing altogether and some may continue to grow.  You may not have as many hairs to wax and your hairs that do come back should become softer, finer and less abundant.  After years of waxing you will find that you may not need to come in for your waxing appointment as often as you did in the beginning stages of waxing.  Instead of the average three to five weeks, you may want to extend your appointments out to as long as six to eight weeks.

WHY IS WAXING BETTER THAN SHAVING?

Shaving doesn’t give you lasting results – it is a ‘quick fix’ to your hair removal need.  When you shave you are cutting the hairs at the skin’s surface, making the tip of the hair blunt and sharp.  This can leave many people with skin irritation such as ‘razor burn’.  After shaving, as your hairs are gaining more length, they will be quite sharp to the touch, leaving your skin to feel a bit similar to the prickly side of Velcro.  This unwanted feeling can come as quickly as just hours after shaving.  With shaving you can also run the risk of cutting your skin.  Have you ever tried shaving while having goose bumps?!  Ouch!  With waxing you do need to allow your hairs to grow to a certain length so that you can experience the best waxing results.  This can be challenging for some, but the results in my opinion well exceed the alternative to shaving.  Through waxing, your hairs will become softer, finer and more sparse because the hair has been removed by the root.  As your hairs grow back in, each hair shaft will have a natural tapered hair edge, allowing the hairs to be soft to the touch.  Any skin irritations that you may experience with shaving should be less if nonexistent with waxing.  It becomes easier to allow the hairs to grow length to them.  It can be challenging at first especially if you are used to shaving every day, but remember that with waxing you are working on a long-term result with lasting benefits.

IF  I  JUST  SHAVED,  CAN  I  WAX?

On average, you will need at least two weeks of hair growth before being able to wax successfully.  The hairs need to be long enough to adhere to the wax in order to be removed properly by the roots.  If the hair is too short you run the risk of hairs not coming out at all.  Different areas of the body and different types of hairs can require different lengths.  In general, I recommend letting the bikini and leg hair grow to about a half inch (about as long as the metal part is on a wooden pencil eraser).  You may hear that a quarter inch is long enough (about as long as the rubber eraser on a wooden pencil) but in my opinion, especially in these areas where the roots are thicker and deeper, more length is preferred.  For underarms, arms and face waxing a quarter inch length is usually just fine.

CAN  I  SHAVE  BETWEEN  WAXINGS?

If you want to enjoy the full benefits to waxing, it is best not to shave in between waxing appointments.  To experience what waxing has to offer, I recommend you choosing to only wax.

WHY MUST I GROW MY HAIR BEFORE WAXING?

You need to have enough length to your hairs to be able to get a good, clean wax.  The hairs need to be long enough to adhere to the wax in order to be removed root and all.  After waxing a few times, it will become easier to allow the hairs to gain length as they will be softer and more sparse.  I recommend trying to rebook your next appointment within six weeks.  If you wait much longer than that, you are allowing time for more hair growth, resulting in a more sensitive experience.

DOES THE PAIN GO AWAY OVER TIME?

With regular waxing you will notice that the pain lessens.  The process becomes less painful because you are training the hairs that do grow back in, to grow in less abundantly.  After a few appointments, you will have about half as many hairs to wax than before you started.  Also, the hairs that do grow are becoming thinner, making the root of the hairs smaller as well.  Those slighter hairs are less painful when they are later waxed.  This is another reason why it is important to stay on top of regular waxing – it is less painful.

WHO SHOULD NOT RECEIVE A WAX?

Clients using Accutane cannot wax until they have discontinued use for at least six months.  Discontinue use of any prescription skin care products for at least one week prior to your appointment and several days to a week after.  I do not recommend facial waxing for those who use Retin-A, Accutane, high concentrations of Glycolic Acid and/or Salicylic Acid.  These types of products make the skin very thin and sensitive.  Please let me know if you are using any acne or exfoliating preparation on your face.  This includes any recent facial peels.

WHAT DOES MY SKIN LOOK LIKE RIGHT AFTER A WAX?

Everyone’s skin reaction can be different and unfortunately, until you get waxed, you won’t know how your skin will react.  In addition to your unique skin and hair genes, a lot of your skins reaction depends on your esthetician’s waxing techniques and the products they use.  I like to use organic and natural products for minimal skin irritation.  It is common for clients’ waxed skin to come a little pink or red.  The process of waxing brings blood flow to the surface of the skin to help heal that specific area.  Sometimes the redness can last as little as an hour or as long as a day.  Each individual can experience different reactions.  Sometimes clients can experience little bumps a few days to a week afterwards. Other may not have this experience at all and have no problem with waxing.  This is why it is important to plan accordingly if you wish to have a wax for a specific day or event.

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE EYEBROW SHAPES AND STYLES?

Each person has unique eyebrow shapes and each eyebrow is not identical.  A phrase I’ve heard and like to share is, “Our eyebrows are sisters, not twins.”  The key to shaping eyebrows appropriately is to follow a guideline to see where the eyebrows should begin, arch and taper.  Waxing eyebrows is one of my favorite waxing services to perform.  There is such an art form in creating a well shaped eyebrow.  It can make such a difference in opening the eye area for anyone.  Before waxing, I notice the client’s face shape and ask them if there is anything they would like to tell me about their eyebrows before I begin.  This allows me to hear any concerns or requests they have to share.  If someone doesn’t want a lot of maintenance, then I know to keep their shape fairly natural.  If someone asks for a pronounced arch, then I know they want a really clean, groomed shape.  In general, I prefer not to wax eyebrows really thin.  It is important that eyebrows are shaped appropriately to compliment your face.  If eyebrows have been over-tweezed, they can stand out more than if they were thicker and nicely shaped.  I have helped several clients reshape their eyebrows to create a more natural and symmetrical shape.

CAN I SPRAY TAN BEFORE OR AFTER WAXING?

If you are interested in a spray tan please know that any spray tan that is on your skin will be removed with waxing.  So if you would like to get a wax and a spray tan around the same time, please reschedule  your waxing appointment first.  You can schedule your waxing appointment on the same day as your spray tan, just be sure to leave enough time to shower after your wax and before your tan, so that any oils or creams that are applied to your skin have a chance to be washed off.  Spray tan products don’t like to adhere to moisturized skin.

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY SKIN AFTER WAXING? 

Avoid applying any makeup on your skin after waxing.  It is best not to touch your skin with your fingers for as long as you can during the day of your waxing.  Bacteria from your fingers can easily be transferred into your hair follicles, causing breakouts.  Avoid heavy workouts, sun exposure, baths or fragranced lotions for 24 to 48 hours after waxing.  Do not use a tanning bed 24 to 48 hours before and after waxing.  Waxing is a very effective skin exfoliant and your skin can burn easily.  Also, any self-tanning creams that you may have used will be removed with waxing.  It is not wise to wax right before or just after going to the beach or pool.  Also keep in mind that the sun can discolor your freshly waxed skin, especially if you are taking hormone supplements.  So please protect your skin after a wax.

Thank you for taking the time to read about waxing!  I am passionate about what I do and would love working with you as well.  Waxing is a wonderful service that you can also enjoy.  I am available anytime if you have additional questions.

WAX by Danielle     •     1106 Harris Avenue Suite 102     •     Bellingham,  WA   98225     •     360.739.7895