Sugaring, wax & threading: advice for before & after your appointment
Updated: May 10, 2021
What should you do before your appointment?
For optimal results, make sure your hair is at least ¼ inch long, the size of grain of rice.
If it’s on the longer side — 3/4 inch or more — you might consider trimming it shorter, though we can do it for you.
4-5 days before your appointment, lightly exfoliate with a dry brush, buffing mitt, washcloth or scrub to get some dead skin cells out of the way. This will help prevent stray hairs and ingrown hairs from getting left behind.
Avoid tanning or applying retinoid creams for at least 24 to 48 hours before your service.
The day of your service, minimize your caffeine and alcohol intake to prevent your pores from tightening.
Come dress in loose, cotton clothing for maximum comfort.
Do not apply deodorant if getting underarms' services.
If you currently…
Razor/Shave: allow at least 10-14 days of regrowth before getting sugared.
Wax: allow 4 weeks of regrowth before getting sugared.
Sugar: 4-6 weeks of regrowth.
We recommend that men bring a clean cotton t-shirt and gym shorts if having their back, chest or legs sugared.
What should you keep in mind immediately after your appointment?
You may experience temporary redness, irritation, and itching immediately after your service. If your skin is very sensitive, you may also develop bumps or rashes. These side effects are pretty common.
However, there are a few things you can do at home to help prevent irritation:
Avoid any activity that could cause sweating, such as working out, and soaking or swimming in water for at least 24 hours. If the service was done on your intimate area, try to avoid sexual activity for at least 24 hours so as not to rub the area.
Avoid direct sunlight, including tanning, for at least 24 hours.
Don’t shave or otherwise remove hairs.
What can you do to minimize ingrown hairs and other bumps?
Stop exfoliating the area 2-3 days before your appointment. This includes both physical and chemical exfoliation. Exfoliating the day before or the day of can actually cause sugaring to over exfoliate the skin.
After your appointment, avoid shaving, tweezing, or picking at stray hairs.
Moisturize often using oil or cream.
Exfoliate once per week.
If your ingrown hair gets worse, talk to a doctor about using a stronger topical cream containing benzoyl peroxide or exfoliating ingredients like glycolic or salicylic acid.
An the most important thing: do not use a razor to remove hairs in between appointments!! This defeats the purpose of and decreases the benefits of waxing/threading/sugaring.