So, You Can't Get Waxed — Here's What You Should Do Instead

Published on 4/20/2020 at 3:30 PM

If waxing is your hair removal process of choice, it'll likely be a while before you're able to see an aesthetician for a follow-up appointment due to the temporary closures of salons and spas across the country. Of course, if you're due (or overdue) for an appointment with your beautician, you have options. You can either grow your hair out and let it do its thing, you can shave, or you can try waxing at home.

The more practical thing to do may be the former, since experts say waxing after a shave is definitely the most painful, but it's understandable why that might sound less than exciting. If you're concerned about what to do now that you can't get waxed, we spoke to Gina Petak, European Wax Center's education manager, about the steps to take — and, more importantly, to avoid — while you're in between appointments.

Tip 1: Don't Shave

Depending on how much you've let your hair grow out, the thought of shaving might sound extremely tempting right now, but it's not recommended. On top of the fact that shaving won't keep the hair away for as long, it'll also change the texture of your hair when it grows back, which means that once you do go back for your follow-up wax, the hair will be thicker and more stubborn, making your wax a little more painful.

That said, if you're feeling desperate, particularly about removing the hair in your bikini area, Petak recommends only shaving in moderation. "If you absolutely must get rid of the hair, only shave the sides of your bikini line," she said. "This way you still feel groomed but you're not starting your waxing results from scratch."

Tip 2: Tweeze or Trim Where Needed

Since tweezing removes the hair at the root, this is a good course of action for getting rid of stray hairs at home, especially if you're in between eyebrow waxes. You can also trim the hairs, though Petak recommends cutting the hair no shorter than a grain of rice.

Tip 3: Keep Exfoliating

Your next wax appointment may be on hold, but your skin-care regimen doesn't have to be. Even if you're not currently waxing, you should still be exfoliating and removing dead skin to prevent ingrown hairs.

Tip 4: When It Comes to Waxing Yourself, Use Your Own Discretion

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and we know that, if push comes to shove, you might want to take matters into your own hands and give yourself a wax. If you choose to do so, just know the risks: "When you wax at home, you can hurt your skin or make it more sensitive and prone to ingrown [hairs]," Patek said. "You could also hurt the natural protective barrier of your skin making it more sensitive to outside environmental factors."

If you have no experience waxing, you might be more likely to pull your hair in the wrong direction and cause ingrown hairs or break the hairs off instead of removing them completely, which will leave you with a not-so-smooth finish. Additionally, you also run the risk of irritating your skin if you use your wax while it's still too hot, if you wax the same area too many times, or if you use low quality wax in general.

If you're a first-time waxer, Nad's brand ambassador and expert Natalie Ismiel has a few pointers. "Hold skin taut with one hand and then lift the end of the wax with the fingers of your free hand," she said. This step comes after applying hard wax and letting it dry on the skin for at least 30 seconds. "Grip the wax and with one quick motion, remove the wax close and parallel to the skin in the opposite direction of hair growth."

Be sure to clean off any wax that gets left behind with baby oil, and continue exfoliating the area in the days after your wax.