Waxing 101 - Questions answered that you may have about waxing and sugaring..

Popular waxing questions

What is waxing & how does it work? Waxing is a popular depilatory method where hair is removed from the roots for longer lasting results. Wax is applied to the skin and clings to the hairs. When wax is removed, the hairs are stuck to the wax, leaving your skin smooth. Hair regrowth becomes softer and results last longer than other forms of hair removal. What kind of wax do you use? We use premium hard wax, strip wax, soy and sugaring. What is the difference between Hard Wax, Strip Wax and Sugaring? Hard Wax is a peel off wax applied thickly on the skin and removed with your fingertips. It is used for waxing sensitive & delicate areas such as eyebrows, upper lip, facial waxing, underarms, bikini line & Brazilian waxing. Strip Wax is applied thinly and removed with a waxing strip; this is great for larger areas of skin such as the legs, arms, back, chest and some facial waxing. Sugaring is a traditional ancient Egyptian method of hair removal, sugaring involves using a 100% natural paste to remove hair from its root. Is it going to hurt? Everyone's threshold for pain is different. Waxing pulls the hair out by the roots, so some discomfort can be expected. However, with your experienced provider's professional technique, and after routine visits, the discomfort will lessen each time. By establishing and staying on a hair removal schedule, less hair grows back. This means each subsequent waxing will result in less discomfort for you. How should I prepare for my waxing? Discontinue shaving the area and allow your hair to grow out at least ¼ to ½ inch long (except on certain body parts such as ears, face, hands and feet). For face waxing, remove any make-up before your appointment. Above all else, PLEASE BE CLEAN! It's okay to shower before your session; warm water will loosen pores around the hair making it easier for the wax to remove. If you're sensitive, take an analgesic (Advil's good) 45 minutes prior to waxing; this helps decrease any discomfort. What are the best tips to reduce pain? While it becomes less painful with each subsequent waxing, here are some tips to reduce pain.

• Take an over-the-counter pain killer, and/or apply topical Lidocaine (such as PFB Numb-It) to the area of skin to be waxed (approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to your appointment).

• Always insist on seeing a licensed aesthetician, or professional cosmetologist who has the requisite skills and experience to perform your waxing.

• Exfoliate bikini areas in order to help remove dead skin cells surrounding hair follicles and pores. Doing so will facilitate easier hair removal (facial skin is usually sufficiently exfoliated).

• Do not apply a skin toner, or an astringent before waxing. These products will tighten your pores and cause a tighter grip on the hair follicles

• Do not use a cold compress, or ice (for numbing), since ice applied to the skin will tighten your skin's pores, rather than relax them as desired.

• Avoid waxing injured, irritated, or sun-burned skin; moles, warts, pimples, and cuts should also be avoided. In addition to being potentially painful, waxing these could also be harmful.

• Remember to breathe naturally and deeply. If you ask her, your provider will gladly count to three when she pulls the wax off, giving you the opportunity to breathe out at the same time.

• Do not schedule appointments while on your period, right before your period or right after. This will make you more sensitive.

Will you get all the hair out? If you are new to waxing, or it's been a long time since your last appointment, some hair may resist waxing. This is usually due to ineffective exfoliation and/or the type of hair. If any hair is left after a few attempts to remove it (by waxing), if requested, remaining hair can be tweezed individually during your session. However, if this is your first time for waxing, it's advisable to wait for your next appointment. This doesn't occur often and extra time will be taken to remove all hair as necessary. How long will I stay smooth? Compared with shaving which only cuts hair off at skin level, waxing removes the entire hair follicle down to the root. When most people get waxed for the first time, it usually lasts for about 2 weeks. This is because the hair grows in stages. After waxing a few times (every 2-4 weeks), most of the hair will have had opportunity to be removed (down to the root) and you'll stay smoother, longer between appointments. Waxing regularly can cause roots to become dormant and make hair grow back finer, or stop growing. Many clients on a regular waxing schedule remain smooth up to 6 weeks. How can I prevent ingrown hairs? A few clients are simply prone to getting ingrowns. However, you can minimize this problem by staying on schedule for hair removal and by using the recommended after care products (which we sell) that are compatible with our waxing system. These work by gently exfoliating your skin to help prevent ingrowns from forming and helping to heal any pesky bumps you may have already. While everyone's body is different, keeping your skin soft and supple with regular applications of a quality lotion or oil will enable hair re-growth to be unimpaired and less likely to become ingrown. What are the benefits of waxing? On top of being smooth and feeling sexy for several weeks, waxing establishes a healthier, cleaner skin, plus it contributes to maintaining a more hygienic private area. Together with proper exfoliation, waxing helps to prevent and, in some cases, eliminate ingrown hairs and razor bumps from shaving. And by maintaining regular waxing, your hair will become thinner, softer & finer than before. How long is the average appointment? The duration of your appointment depends on the area being waxed. Eyebrows generally take up to 15 minutes, while a Brazilian can be successfully done in 20 minutes, up to an hour. The speed of our waxing services is proportionate to how comfortable the client is with the work. Both ours and the client's time are valuable; this is why it's important to always be on-time for your appointment. Waxing may cause bruises, scabs, scarring, redness, hyperpigmentation or pimples. Waxing of soft tissue may cause the skin to tear, resulting in the need for stitches. Complications occur most commonly in Brazilian bikini waxes, male or female. If such complications occur please notify Aluna Skincare and Massage within 48 hours or as soon as possible. New use of the products discussed increases the possibility of a reaction, so if started the aesthetician must be informed before the next waxing appointment starts.