How to Care for Your Skin Before and After a Brazilian Wax

Preparing Your Skin

Make sure your hair is at least 0.25 in (0.64 cm) long. Wax won’t attach well to hairs that are super short, so it’s best to let your hair grow out before getting it waxed. Don’t worry if your hair is longer than the recommended length—your waxer will trim it if needed. If you shave, wait at least 3 weeks for your hair to grow back in so that it’s long enough to be waxed.

Exfoliate gently and moisturize your skin days before the wax. While it’s important to keep things simple the day of your wax and just stick with the warm shower, exfoliating the days leading up to your waxing will help get rid of dead skin and prevent ingrown hairs. Follow up with some moisturizer to make sure your skin is at its best when waxing day comes. Use a loofah or other gentle product to exfoliate your skin. Make sure your moisturizer is hypoallergenic and won’t cause irritation.

Avoid using products that will cause irritation. These include things like lotions, oils, or gels. You want your skin to be fresh and clean the day of your waxing, so skip any extra products on this day, especially if they have fragrances. If you’re taking a warm shower, use a gentle, fragrance-free soap to wash your body if possible.

Take a warm shower the day of your wax. It doesn’t need to be scalding hot, but a warm shower will help open up your pores, making it easier to remove the hairs. It’s also important that you go into your appointment with clean skin to avoid infection. Make sure your waxing area is completely dry by the time you arrive at your appointment so the wax will adhere to your skin.

Check your skin for cuts and other markings. Scan your waxing area for anything that may cause you pain or discomfort during the appointment, such as scrapes, moles, or skin tags. If you have cuts or a rash that are moderate to severe, it might be best to reschedule your waxing for another time. Point out any moles or other marks on your skin that you’d like your esthetician to be aware of.

Take a pain reliever if you’re worried about the pain. If you have a low threshold for pain, it might be a good idea to take a pain reliever roughly half an hour before your appointment. This will help you during the waxing as well as reduce inflammation afterwards. Ibuprofen, Advil, and Tylenol are all good options for pain relievers.

Soothing Your Skin Post-Wax

Wear loose clothing to allow your skin to breathe. Your waxed area will be more prone to irritation after your appointment, so stick to clothing that doesn’t cling to your body. This includes things like breathable cotton underwear and loose-fitting shorts or dresses. Avoid wearing leggings for a few days after your waxing appointment.

Use after-wax lotions to help soothe your skin. Your chosen waxing center will have suggestions for what types of lotions to use on your skin, so ask them for recommendations before you leave or go online to find out other options. Apply the lotion to the irritated area gently, with clean hands. Consider applying a serum that prevents ingrown hairs after a day or two as well. Apply hydrocortisone cream to help soothe the skin, if desired.

Avoid intensive activities that cause friction. This means things like working out at the gym and having sex are off-limits for at least a day or two after your wax. Not only will being active cause irritation, but it may also cause infection. Take a couple days off from intensive activities and just relax.

Steer clear of communal or warm bodies of water, including baths. This includes indoor or outdoor pools, saunas, rivers, lakes, oceans, and definitely the bathtub. These all increase your risk of infection, so it’s best to avoid them for a few days. Opt for a shower instead of a bath to make sure your skin stays nice and clean.

Use fragrance-free products after your wax. Due to your skin’s sensitivity, it’s best to stay away from any artificial fragrances, dyed soaps, or other products that may cause irritation. Instead, use gentle body cleansers that don’t have any fragrances the first few days after the wax. If you’re not sure whether a product you’re thinking about using will cause you discomfort, it’s best to just wait a few days before using it.

Stay out of the heat. Not only is your freshly waxed skin more prone to burning now that it’s so sensitive, but sweating can also cause problems such as infection. Avoid tanning or other activities that expose you to the sun for long periods of time for 1-2 days after your appointment, and try hard not to sweat too much if at all possible. If you do get super sweaty, make sure you rinse off your body to help avoid infection.

Exfoliate the area after at least one day has passed. It's best to wait 1-2 days after your wax to do any exfoliating to help prevent further irritation, especially since a wax is a form of exfoliation itself. Exfoliate the waxed area gently using a loofah or soft washcloth. Exfoliating a couple days after your wax will help prevent ingrown hairs and infection.

Schedule your next wax 4 weeks after your first one. This will give your hair enough time to grow back. It’s said that each wax after your first one is easier than the last, due to your hair growing in thinner and your body getting used to the process.