Waxing Advice Given

Whicker9876

I'm new to theknot but I was on the wedding beauty board and I was reading so many questions about waxing.  Here's a few little pointers for you girls to think about before going all crazy with the bikini wax: 
(one up for you Baltimore Girls- check out Medical Skin Therapeutics in Ellicott City for some before-wedding beauty tips from yours truly)  = )

Waxing:
#1 Make sure you go to someone who has been referred to you.  It's surprising how many people do waxings without being properly trained.  We get a lot of women who have been waxed incorrectly come into our medical spa who have had BAD experiences.  So a good referral is key. 
#2 Ask about the wax used.  Is it meant for sensitive skin?  Is it a honey base, beezwax base, etc?  Is a hot or cold wax?  Do they monitor the temperature or is the heat a standard setting?  Sometimes people think they've had a reaction to the wax when really they had a reaction to the heat and potentially the cream used on the skin afterwards. 
#3 Remember to do a trial run of underarm hair or a basic bikini wax about 6 weeks before your wedding to make sure you react well to the wax used. 
#4 I suggest getting waxed a few times before your honeymoon to ensure that you'll have no regrowth while on your trip.  The purpose of this is to get as much hair on different growth cycles as possible.  At this point the hair that grows back should be less brittle and more fine.
#4 When you're going for the real thing make sure you plan a week before the BIG EVENT for things to settle down- down there.  = )
#5 DO NOT GET WAXED THE WEEK BEFORE YOUR PERIOD OR THE WEEK OF unless you can handle more pain.  You are WAY more sensitive during this time.
#6 Take an antihistamine a half hour before you get waxed.  Some people react with little "skin bumps" that are a histamine reaction.  Usually an antihistamine like Bendryl taken beforehand will eliminate this problem.
#7 Go buy Bikini Zone Gel or Cream from the drugstore.  This is the best for prevention of ingrown hairs, longer lasting wax job etc.  It's fabulous even if you are just a shaver and don't want to go with waxing in the end.

Good luck ladies!!!  xo

dawnmhayden

Welcome!
Thank you for the advice!  Waxing is definitely something I am considering.  Some people have recommended taking advil before going as well-any thoughts?

Whicker9876

I recommend taking a pain killer only if you're really nervous about the first wax or if you're getting waxed the week before or the week of your period.  Otherwise, it really doesn't make much of a difference.  More like peace of mind.  = )

SweetCFly

Good to know... I'm definitely getting nervous about this, and as soon as I can afford it I'm going to go for my first waxing.  My mom has been going for her armpits in preparation for the wedding, too... I definitely want both.  I am so tired of the red bumps everywhere which cannot be avoided.  I think I must have really sensitive skin, I'm hoping the waxing fixes the problem (my cousin said it worked for her). 

How long do you suggest we let things grow out before getting waxed?  My hair grows very quickly, and I honestly can't imagine living comfortably unshaved for more than a week (sorry if TMI),.. is a week enough?

dawnmhayden

I've heard one or two weeks-but my hair grows really fast too and I completely understand not wanting to go that long-it's kinda gross :-)  But I definitely don't even want to pick up a razor on the honeymoon!

Whicker9876

You ladies are funny!  = )  If you hair grows quickly you don't have to wait any longer then a week.  The rule of thumb is that you want a little more then a centimeter for the wax to be able to grab it well.  This is speaking for underarms but bikini a little more would be better for a more efficient wax job.  = )