The skin feels soft and smooth when you are done waxing the unwanted hair. Some wax residue remains on the skin and forces you to shower. But have you noticed that your skin is sensitive after showering or you get bumps ?
Can you shower after waxing? If so, what is the best way to shower after waxing? If not, how long does it take until you can shower and what can you do to care for your skin?
In this article, we'll answer all your questions and help you get silky smooth skin that lasts.
- Part 1: Showering before waxing: Is it necessary?
- Part 2: Can you shower after waxing?
- Part 3: How to shower properly after waxing?
- Part 4: Waxing Alternative: IPL Hair Removal
- Part 5: Conclusion
Showering before waxing: is it necessary?
We are aware of the fact that the skin must be clean and well prepared before waxing, as in “ Almost Painless Waxing: How to Wax at Home Without Pain ” . However, showering can cause the skin to become too dry, making hair removal more painful and reducing the effectiveness of waxing.
That's why many women wonder if it's OK to shower before waxing or if they can skip it altogether. Let us answer that for you.
Showering immediately before waxing is not necessary if your skin is clean and free of all impurities, dead skin cells and excess oil before waxing. This is only possible if you have taken a bath in the last few hours before your session.
However, if you have not bathed, you must shower before waxing using a gentle, non-irritating and mild cleanser.
There are also some tips to ensure that your skin is not too dry or too oily before the session.
- Shower at least 30 to 60 minutes before your waxing
- Use lukewarm to room temperature water when showering
- Do not use hot water 2 days before your waxing appointment
- Make sure your skin is dry before putting on the clothes
- Wear loose and light clothing after showering
- Do not apply any tanning products, moisturizers or sunscreens to the treatment area before going to the salon.
- Exfoliate the skin with a gentle peeling 2 days before waxing, but not immediately before the session
Can you shower after waxing?
Yes, your skin needs to be clean before you go for waxing. During the session, a sticky material is applied to your skin and your hair is pulled out. The wax may remain on the skin and some hair may fall out as well. So should you shower after waxing to remove this hair and wax?
No, you should not shower immediately after waxing when you get home. Ideally, you should wait 24 hours before showering, as hot water and body wash can irritate your skin.
This downtime is important so that your skin can calm down after waxing. Small bumps form on the skin, the skin becomes sensitive, the pores open and the outer layer of skin is also removed during waxing. So you need to give your skin some time to relax and heal.
During this time you will feel discomfort and itching, so we recommend using a soothing ointment or gel recommended by your waxing professional.
However, if you don't like the feeling of having sticky wax or hair residue on your skin, you can take a shower 2 to 4 hours after the session.
Also note that showering with hot water or an irritating body wash right after waxing can burn your skin, increase skin redness and increase itching, so it's better to avoid bathing for 24 hours after showering.
How do you shower properly after waxing?
If you decide to shower earlier than recommended, here are some tips to help your skin stay calm and get the best results:
- Use only cool to lukewarm water and not hot water
- Your body wash is natural, perfume-free and non-aggressive
- An unscented baby care product can do the job well
- The shower doesn't take too long
- You should pat your skin dry after showering instead of rubbing it
- Moisturize your skin with a light and fast-absorbing body lotion
- Avoid peeling, hot showers, swimming, sweating and sauna visits for 1 to 2 days after your treatment
- Be as gentle as you can
Cool to lukewarm water removes the sticky wax residue without putting additional strain on the skin. It is also a gentle way to pat the skin dry after waxing. If you rub it too hard, the skin will become inflamed and irritated.
Swimming after waxing should be avoided as the chlorine in swimming pools can irritate the skin and germs can also get into the open skin pores. Saunas open the skin pores instead of closing them and hot water increases inflammation.
Therefore, you must wait 24 hours before trying such activities. Also, here are the 15 most important post-waxing care tips to protect your skin.
Waxing Alternative: IPL Hair Removal
Imagine having to wax every other week because Waxing will grow back after 1 week . Plus, all the pre- and post-waxing procedures can be exhausting. So, why not try a different method of hair removal that doesn't require as much precaution and also gives better results?
IPL hair removal has advantages over waxing due to the following factors:
- With IPL hair removal, the top layer of skin is not peeled off and removed like with waxing.
- The skin rarely becomes red, itchy, inflamed and sensitive when you use a high-quality IPL device
- Hair removal with an IPL device is very comfortable compared to painful waxing
- You don't have to go to a salon for IPL hair removal, because there are also devices for home use
- IPL devices are durable and can last a lifetime, making them more economical compared to expensive monthly waxing sessions
- The results of IPL hair removal last up to 6 months after the first treatment, unlike waxing, where hair grows back after 2 to 4 weeks.
- IPL hair removal also helps you get rid of ingrown hairs, strawberry legs, bumps and cuts
When you look at the benefits of IPL hair removal, it is better to stop waxing your sensitive skin and switch to a gentle alternative. However, you must make sure to buy a high-quality, FDA-approved, clinically tested and user-friendly IPL device to get the best results and value for money.
Therefore, the Ulike Air 10 IPL hair removal for face, pubic hair and body is a good choice for you.
Conclusion
While it is recommended to shower before waxing to keep your skin clean for waxing, it is better to avoid bathing for about 24 hours after waxing. This is because skin is sensitive after waxing and a shower can make that sensitivity even worse.
