Exfoliation removes dead skin cells that have accumulated in the pores, pollutants that the skin comes into contact with on a daily basis and products that build up in the skin.
These accumulated impurities form an additional layer on the skin, clog the pores and can affect the result of waxing, leading to an uneven appearance of the skin, as mentioned in Waxing Pimples after Brazilian Waxing: Cause, Treatment and Prevention.
That's why exfoliating before waxing is a must. But the timeline for exfoliating before waxing, the right method and the right products can be confusing, right?
So this article is about the question “ Should I exfoliate before waxing? ” and how to exfoliate before waxing.
- Part 1: Should I exfoliate before waxing?
- Part 2: Why should I exfoliate before waxing?
- Part 3: When should I exfoliate before waxing? The ideal time for exfoliation
- Part 4: How to exfoliate the skin before waxing?
- Part 5: How do I prepare my skin for waxing?
- Part 6: The Final Verdict
Should I exfoliate before waxing?
While most women and waxing experts agree that exfoliating before waxing is essential for optimal results and a silky smooth, hairless body, a few argue that exfoliating could do more harm than good to your sensitive and delicate skin. So let's explore the opinions of different people.
Opinions for a peeling before waxing
This is what a waxing expert from the Hiss'N Kitten Wax says :
“ During a waxing appointment, each hair is pulled out at the root. This causes a new delicate hair to grow back. Because it is a new hair, it is softer and finer than a hair that has been shaved. Because of this, it can sometimes be harder for the fine hair to penetrate the skin, causing it to recede under the skin and create ingrown hairs. This is where exfoliation comes in! ”
Another expert from Infinity Laser Spa says:
" To remove dead skin and prevent ingrown hairs, exfoliate once or twice a week. But you should do this well before waxing, as the oil and products from the exfoliation could stay on your skin and make waxing more difficult. "
Opinions against peeling before waxing
Muhammad Bilal , a fashion and beauty expert, expresses his concerns about exfoliation before waxing:
" In general, it's best to exfoliate your skin after waxing rather than before. Exfoliating before waxing can leave your skin more sensitive and prone to irritation, making waxing even more uncomfortable. "
A woman from the Skin Studio talks about her experience with peeling before waxing:
" Just no. It will flake your skin. You can only do one thing a day, waxing or peeling. As soon as I do that to my skin, my skin peels really badly. Because I have sensitive skin. "
What should you do?
If you consider both opinions, the final answer is that you should exfoliate your skin before waxing. However, you should leave a few days between exfoliation and waxing so that your sensitive skin is not damaged.
Here is also a table to compare both.
|
Peeling before waxing |
No peeling before waxing |
|
● Removes dead skin cells and unwanted oil ● Cleanses the deeper layers of the skin ● Prepares the skin for waxing |
● May affect the skin barrier ● May cause skin sensitivity ● Makes the skin red and increases the side effects of waxing |
Why should I exfoliate before waxing?
Let's discuss some benefits of exfoliation so you know why you should exfoliate before waxing.
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Improved adhesive properties of wax
Exfoliating before waxing prepares the skin for waxing. It removes the top layer of dead skin cells and exposes the fresh skin underneath. The wax adheres better to this fresh skin. In addition, the pores are open, which allows the wax to adhere better to the unwanted hair.
This makes applying wax easier and the results are amazing.
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Dealing with ingrown hairs and strawberry legs
Ingrown hairs are caused by the twisting of growing hair strands in the upper layer of the skin. In addition, strawberry legs are bumps that form on the skin due to clogged pores.
By peeling the skin, the pores are opened and the ingrown hairs can grow out of the skin.
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Relieve the pain and discomfort of waxing
Because the peel opens the pores, removes impurities and improves the adhesion of the wax to the skin, discomfort is reduced. It also reduces the common side effects of waxing such as skin irritation, swelling and redness.
When should I exfoliate before waxing? The ideal time for exfoliation
While exfoliating before waxing is essential, you should never do it on the same day as waxing, experts advise. So when should you exfoliate?
When is the perfect time to exfoliate the skin before waxing?
The perfect time for a peel is 1 to 2 days (24 to 48 hours) before your waxing appointment. This allows the dead skin cells, excess oils and impurities to be removed beforehand and gives the skin time to heal.
What happens if you exfoliate the skin immediately before waxing?
If you exfoliate a few hours before waxing, the skin will be sensitive and could peel and make waxing painful. We therefore recommend that you avoid exfoliating close to your waxing appointment.
In addition, exfoliation is recommended once or twice a week for healthy skin. Read also: Can you shower after waxing? Everything you need to know .
How do you exfoliate the skin before waxing?
In our step-by-step guide to peeling, you will learn how to gently exfoliate your skin before waxing.
Step 1: Get everything you need to exfoliate your skin
First, decide what type of scrub you want to use. Here are some options you can use for your scrub:
- An exfoliating glove
- A peeling brush
- A washcloth
- A gentle body scrub
When choosing a product, make sure it is mild and gentle on the skin. So choose a brush with soft bristles and exfoliants such as oat scrub or sugar scrub.
Step 2: Rinse the treatment area
Cleanse your skin with a gentle cleanser and keep it moist. Whether you use an exfoliating brush, glove or scrub, it's best to use it on damp skin as this will give the skin enough moisture to allow the scrub to work gently.
Step 3: Use the peeling product of your choice
Take your exfoliating brush or scrub and start scrubbing the area using circular motions and light pressure. Gradually move from one part of the body to the next. Don't be too rough, as this could damage the skin barrier.
Step 4: Aftercare of the skin with a lotion
Once you're done exfoliating, rinse the dead skin cells from your body and apply a moisturizer to hydrate your skin.
How do I prepare my skin for waxing?
Exfoliation can be a necessary step before waxing. But that's not all. So here are a few tips on how to prepare your skin for waxing.
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Intact barrier to reduce side effects
Before your waxing appointment, make sure your skin barrier is intact and the hair is longer than 0.6 cm. This means you should not have any acne, cuts, sunburn, redness or skin irritation before waxing.
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Clean skin without product residues
Any product such as moisturizer or sunscreen will reduce the adhesion of the wax to the skin, so make sure you clean your skin well before your appointment.
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Talcum powder to prevent sweating
Waxing in the summer can cause the skin to sweat and sweat also reduces the adhesive properties of the wax. A thin layer of talcum powder on the skin can help keep the skin dry and free of sweat. This makes the wax easier to apply and the hair easier to remove.
The final verdict
Exfoliating before or after waxing has caused confusion among women and waxing experts alike. However, most experts agree that exfoliating before waxing is the way to go to prep your skin and prepare it well for the wax.
While exfoliation before waxing is now considered mandatory, exfoliation just a few hours before waxing is not recommended. Therefore, get rid of dead skin cells, excess oil, pollutants and other impurities that have accumulated on the skin at least 2 days before waxing.
Finally, exfoliation can also protect you from many side effects of waxing, such as a histamine reaction, as described in Histamine Reaction After Waxing: Causes, Treatment, and More.
