Getting a hair removal service for the first time can be pretty intimidating, but please let us reassure you that you are coming to the right place and we will take great care of you!
pre waxing
Ibuprofen
Take it at least 20 minutes beforehand may help dull your pain receptors (as long as it’s not contraindicated by your doctor).
Limit caffeine
The day of your waxing, limit your caffeine intake as it can stimulate the nervous system which can make you more sensitive and red.
End of your cycle
For females, try to schedule your appointment within the first 2 weeks after you have ended your cycle as this is when you are probably retaining the least amount of fluid, and should probably be the least sensitive. We will still wax our clients if they are on their cycle as long as they wear a tampon and know they will most likely be more sensitive.
2 weeks of growth
For body waxing treatments, please allow about 2 weeks of growth before your visit. Everyone’s hair grows at a different pace, but 2 weeks is a good rule-of-thumb. The longer the growth (within reason) will mean less tweezing and a cleaner wax. Your hair must be at least half the length of your pinky nail (go ahead… check your pinky!)
Don’t trim
If you do not wax or shave your hair at all, please do not trim. If trimming is needed we will do it for you.
Come clean
Do not apply self tanner, moisturizer, or any abrasive body or facial scrubs.
No tanning (real or fake)
Do not go sit in the sun or go to the tanning booth prior to your service.
Avoid getting spray tanned before any waxing procedure. Wax tends to lift the color off your skin leaving it patchy-looking.
Stop certain products
Discontinuing any product that exfoliates or dries the skin for at least 1 week prevents tears, scabbing or burning. Examples are: Accutane, Differin, Retin A/Retinol, Glycolic acid/AHA’s, ProActive, Avita, Benzoyl peroxide, Salicylic acid/ BHA’s
These are only some of the products that we are aware of that may cause problems. New ones come out every day! If you have any doubt, don’t use it or don’t wax. However, if you still desire to use your skin products that are not conducive to waxing, we may use an extremely hypoallergenic hard wax that is great for sensitive and chemically treated skin. When you call for your appointment, please let us know!
post wax
Facial Waxing:
please make sure you do not touch the area waxed for 24 hours. Bacteria on your fingers will get into your delicate open pores and cause pimples. If you do touch your waxed skin, just rinse it off with cold water or apply toner if you have some.
Body Waxing:
start exfoliating as soon as it is comfortable to do so or when tenderness subsides. This is the most important thing you can do. You may exfoliate your skin one of two ways: chemically or manually.
Chemically: you may purchase a product that contains salicylic acid, glycolic acid. Our proprietary product Care Serum, is a great product that contains both salicylic acid and glycolic acid with an aloe vera base.
Manually: you may simply use a warm, damp washcloth or exfoliating glove. The gloves are recommended because they can be washed, dried & sanitized. Loofahs can harbor bacteria or mold, and are not sufficient exfoliators. If you choose a washcloth, just dampen your cloth with warm water and scrub the area in the opposite direction of the hair growth (hair usually grows down, so scrub in an upward motion). This will reduce the chance of ingrown hairs, bumps, pimples and rough-feeling skin.
If you were waxed for the first time, a few bumps and/or pimples are common. If you broke out everywhere there can be a few reasons for this, but the most common reason is that your hair follicles have been irritated by sweat and/or bacteria. Your follicles are not used to having the hair pulled out yet, so they are easy to irritate. Frequent waxing services will yield less reactions down the line. Sweat, which contains urea and salt, is considered irritating to your hair follicles, so it is easy for your follicles to be extra sensitive to any type of sweat or bacteria the first time around. Your second and third waxings should be less irritating.
If bumps or pimples have appeared, aquaphor, tea tree oil, or our custom Care Serum are all topical agents that can help clear these up in a few days. You also may just take a dry wash cloth and scrub the pimples or bumps and leave them to dry out, no lotion is needed.
pre laser hair removal
Complete your Initial Consult
Before receiving a laser hair removal treatment, all clients must complete a health examination by our Physician or Nurse Practitioner to ensure you are medically approved. We are able to complete this exam prior to your service day-of should you complete you entire Health History form 24 hours prior to your appointment with us.
Clean Your Skin Before the Treatment
When you come to your laser hair removal appointment, make sure your treatment area (e.g., legs, underarms, bikini area) is clean. Lotions, dirt, and other impurities on the skin can lessen the effectiveness of the laser. Clean skin allows the laser to go directly to the hair follicle.
Stop Waxing or Plucking
Waxing and plucking pull the hair out from the root. If you wax or pluck your hair before a laser session, the laser device can’t target the hair pigment because the hair has been removed. Refrain from hair removal procedures that uproot the hair for four weeks before the laser treatment.
Shave the Treatment Area
Unlike waxing and plucking, shaving is a necessary step the day before a laser hair removal treatment. It doesn’t uproot the hair so the laser can target the hair pigment. At the same time, shaving gets rid of hair on the skin’s surface, decreasing the chances of getting burned by the laser.
Avoid Sun Exposure
Tanning increases the chance of laser burns because traditional lasers need a clear color contrast between the skin and hair to target the pigment in the hair successfully. If the skin is darker, the laser can mistakenly target the melanin in the skin instead of the hair. Avoid the beach and tanning beds for several weeks before the treatment.
You should also avoid using self-tanning lotions and sprays for at least two weeks before laser treatment so the laser can target the hair follicle instead of the tan skin. This also reduces the chance of burning the skin.
Use Medications with Caution
Some medications interfere with the laser hair removal procedure because they make the skin more sensitive and increase the chance of side effects. These include:
- Blood-thinners
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
- Antibiotics
- Topical products with retinol
- Acne products
- Hormone treatments
If you use any of the above-listed medications, consult your doctor about potential risks before you undergo a laser hair removal treatment.
Use Skin Products Carefully
Some ingredients in skincare products can make the skin more vulnerable to pain and increase the chance of discoloration, redness, and other side effects.
We recommend discontinuing these skincare products for a week or two before the treatment:
- AHA/BHA exfoliating creams
- Products with retinol or retinal
- Products with benzoyl peroxide
- Products that dry out the skin
To be safe, use only gentle cleansers and mild lotions for several days before your laser hair removal appointment.
Avoid Alcohol
Don’t drink alcohol in excess 24 hours before laser hair removal because it dehydrates the skin, making the procedure more painful.
Refrain from Drinking Coffee
Avoid coffee for at least several hours before your laser treatment. Coffee makes the skin more sensitive and may increase discomfort or pain, just like alcohol.
Avoid Laser Hair Removal After Botox and Dermal Fillers
Wait two weeks after your botox or filler treatment to have a laser hair removal procedure in that specific area. If the injectables haven’t settled, the laser treatment can disrupt the cosmetic treatment’s effects and cause swelling and redness.
post laser hair removal
Redness & Bumps are normal.
Immediately after your treatment, redness & bumps at the treatment area are common; these may last up to 2 hours or longer. It is normal for the treated area to feel like a sunburn for a few hours. You should use a cold compress if the sensitivity continues. If there is any crusting, apply an antibiotic cream. Darker pigmented skin may have more discomfort than lighter skin & may persist longer.
Cleanse the area treated gently.
The treated area may be washed gently with a mild soap. Skin should be patted dry & not rubbed during the first 48 hours.
No makeup & lotion/moisturizer/deodorant for the first 24 hours.
Keep the treated area clean & dry, if further redness or irritation persists, skip your makeup & moisturizer, & deodorant (for underarms) until the irritation has subsided.
Dead hairs will begin to shed 5-30 days after your treatment.
Stubble, representing dead hair being shed from the hair follicle, will appear within 5-30 days from the treatment date. that is normal & they will fall out quickly.
Exfoliate to speed up hair shedding.
Anywhere from 5-30 days after the treatment, shedding of the hair may occur & this may appear as new hair growth. It is not new hair growth, but the dead hair pushing its way out of the follicle. You can help the hair come out by washing with a washcloth & shaving.
Avoid the sun.
Avoid sun exposure to reduce the chance of dark or light spots for 2 months. Use sunscreen (spf 25 or higher) at all times throughout the treatment period & for 1-2 months following.
Do not pick/scratch/wax/thread/tweeze the area.
Avoid picking or scratching the treated skin. do not use any other hair removal methods or products, other than shaving, on the treated area during the course of your laser treatments, as it will prevent you from achieving the best results.
Hair growth varies.
On average, most will experience a level of hairless happiness after 6-9 sessions which will result in not even checking for stubble (yes, it’s life changing!).
