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Lisa's very frequently asked questions…
I usually get my eyebrows threaded.
How long should I wait between waxes?
Can I shave in between waxings?
What should I do to maintain healthy skin after my wax?
I have hair on my toes/back/chest/bottom/other embarrassing area! Am I normal?
Will waxing it make it grow back more?
Can I have a couple of glasses of wine before my appointment?
How long does it last?
I’m on my period, should I cancel my appointment?
I get ingrown hairs / red bumps when I shave. Will waxing help?
Do you like your job, or is it weird?
Maybe I’ll just try to wax at home…
Can I go tanning after my wax?
I’m on “ABC” medication, is waxing safe for me?
My nail place does less expensive waxing.
I usually get my eyebrows threaded.
Threading is an excellent way of getting rid of facial hair. It really depends on the quality of the technician you’re getting. You can get threaded and have a painful experience or an easy one. It is the same with waxing, although usually waxing hurts less because it is only 3 quick pulls for each eyebrow. The constant pulling of hairs can be annoying to some during the threading process. This can make it uncomfortable on sensitive areas like the upper lip- yikes! For eyebrows, it’s more about the quality of the person’s artistry than the technique they use, so give waxing a try. I use a special wax for sensitive skin that is very gentle and should leave your skin feeling healthy.
Q. How long should I wait between waxes?
4 weeks is recommended for body waxing, and 3 weeks for eyebrows. This is because waiting 4 weeks between eyebrow waxes is torturous for those of us who have lots of fast growing dark hair. 4 weeks ensures that the hair is long enough for the wax to get a good grip on it. When you wax every four weeks, you will notice the hair starts to thin out a bit, and it will come out more easily.
Q. Can I shave in between waxings?
It’s not recommended because the hair needs 4 weeks of growth for a successful wax. As soon as you shave, you start the clock over for the next time you can wax. Then the hair will be thicker, and you won’t get the full benefits of waxing.
Q. What should I do to maintain healthy skin after my wax?
The first day it’s important to be gentle with your skin, because it may be a little sensitive after waxing. This means no tanning for at least 24 hours, no harsh scrubs or chemicals, and no hot tub for the first day. This is because heat and chemicals can irritate the skin that is already sensitive from waxing. If you are sensitive to chlorine, wait 24-48 hours before swimming. Please be aware that tight clothing or swimsuits can be irritating after a bikini wax, so you might experience some redness or irritation if you go swimming/running/biking soon after a wax. This is usually not a problem and the skin should recover within a few hours. Be aware that tight clothing can increase your chances of getting ingrown hairs. The most important thing is for you to know what works for you. 48 hours after your waxing treatment, gently exfoliate the area with a loofah in the direction of the hair.
Q. I have hair on my toes/back/chest/bottom/other embarrassing area! Am I normal?
Yes! Lots of things can cause changes in hair. Aging, hormones, pregnancy, and medications can alter the amount, the color, and the texture of hair. Genetics are the biggest factor, and that’s currently impossible to change, so let the waxing proceed. All visits are confidential.
Q. Will waxing it make it grow back more?
Waxing won’t make the hair grow back faster or more coarse, but it will get your eyes used to not seeing the hair! When it grows back in 4 weeks, you might wonder if the waxing caused it. Trust me, it was there before. If you had enough hair on your tummy to have it waxed, it was bothering you. Hair anywhere will grow back in 4-8 weeks, so if you want to keep up the look, waxing will be part of your regular routine.
Q. Can I have a couple of glasses of wine before my appointment?
No! Ok, you can… but it’s not necessary. Too much alcohol can actually cause your blood to rise to the surface of the skin, increasing skin temperature which can make you more sensitive.
Q. How long does it last?
You should be happy with your wax for 2-3 weeks. Compare this to shaving, which makes you happy for 2-3 days. A few hairs will start to grow back within the first week. When you get waxed, there inevitably are hairs that were just underneath the skin, almost ready to come up, and were not able to be picked up by the wax. It is not the waxed hair growing back. With regular waxing, all of your hair starts to grow at the same time, and when we wax, you will stay smoother for longer. This usually happens within 4-6 months of regular waxing.
Q. I’m on my period, should I cancel my appointment?
Life is hard enough without having to schedule around your period! As long as you’re wearing a clean tampon it shouldn’t be a problem.
Q. I get ingrown hairs / red bumps when I shave. Will waxing help?
Yes. Most of the time, ingrown hairs.
Q. Do you like your job, or is it weird?
YES! I love talking with and getting to know my visitors, and I love hearing how everyone is doing. It is not awkward or uncomfortable for me at all. (If it was, I could never be in business. Imagine your visit to an unhappy waxer! ) I love my job and am very happy waxing away.
Maybe I’ll just try to wax at home…
As a friend, I would recommend against that. The waxes that are generally available to the public are not professional waxes and can be too sticky to use on sensitive areas. You might get away with waxing the front of your lower legs, but not the back, and not without making a mess in your home. Wax can be very, very messy and hard to remove from clothing, carpet and furniture. It is not uncommon for someone to try to wax at home, then give up halfway through and make an emergency appointment because they couldn’t go through with the rest! Just trying to save you some time here. And please, don’t ask your husband to wax you! Your relationship may depend on it!
Q. Can I go tanning after my wax?
Not really. I say this because your skin is going to be sensitive after your wax, and you may have a greater tendency to burn in that area. If you must, cover the area that was waxed with a towel to protect your skin. It’s best to just wait 2 days.
Q. I’m on “ABC” medication, is waxing safe for me?
Waxing is not safe for those who are on or who have used Accutane or other similar oral acne medications. Renova, retin-A and other retinols dissolve the protective dead skin cells on your skin, making waxing unsafe. If you are using these products and do not inform me, you may lose a thin layer of skin with the wax strip. That’s why it’s very important to be honest and also to remember everything you’re using on your skin before your wax. Some Vitamin-C facial serums will make the skin sensitive, and an abrasion can occur with facial waxing. Antibiotics can also make your skin sensitive to the sun and to waxing. Glycolic facial cleansers, salicylic acid treatments (like Proactiv) and Alpha Hydroxy Acid peels and home treatments can also cause sensitivity. Some people use these products and never have a problem with waxing. Everyone is different,; it is difficult to tell how your skin will react, so if you want to be sure, or if you have a very important event coming up, either discontinue the products for 5 days before your waxing, or postpone your appointment until you can wait 5 days. As always, check with your dermatologist or physician before discontinuing any prescribed topical products or medications. If you have poorly controlled or type I diabetes, waxing is not recommended because it causes tiny microscopic abrasions on the skin. If your blood sugar is not always stable, your skin may not be able to heal promptly, and leave you vulnerable to infection. My first priority is to make sure everyone has a good, safe waxing experience. Please let me know if there are any other medications you have questions about.
My nail place does less expensive waxing.
A lot of nail places offer waxing, but just because it’s on the menu doesn’t mean the technician has ever done waxing before! It’s unlikely that they will have a lot of experience. The truth is, we have all upgraded an eyebrow wax to our pedicure at least once, and well… the results are usually pretty mixed.
