Waxing Pre-Care & Post Care Instructions

Before Your Appointment:

  1. Hair Length: Make sure hair is at least 1/4 inch long (about the length of a grain of rice) for the wax to grip properly.
  2. Exfoliate Gently: Lightly exfoliate the area 24-48 hours before your appointment to remove dead skin and prevent ingrowns. Avoid harsh scrubs right before waxing.
  3. Clean Skin: Arrive with clean, dry skin. Skip lotions, oils, deodorant, or self-tanner on the area the day of your appointment.
  4. Pain Prep: If you're sensitive, you may take an over-the-counter pain reliever (like ibuprofen) 30-60 minutes before. Avoid alcohol, as it can make skin more sensitive.
  5. Avoid Sun & Heat: No tanning, sunburns, saunas, or hot tubs on the area at least 24 hours before your wax.
  6. Schedule around your cycle (optional): You may feel more sensitive right before or during your period, so plan accordingly if that affects your comfort.
  7. Medications/Skin Care: Avoid waxing if you're using retinoids, Accutane, or other medications that thin the skin. Always lets your esthetician know about prescriptions or topical treatments. (See contraindications)


After Your Appointment:

  1. Hands Off: Avoid touching freshly waxed skin to prevent bacteria from causing irritation or breakouts.
  2. Skip Heat & Sweat: No gyms, saunas, swimming, or hot tubs for at least 24 hours to let your skin calm down.
  3. No Sex: Refrain from sexual activity for 24-48 hours after intimate waxing. Friction, sweat, and bacteria can irritate sensitive skin and increase the risk of bumps and infection.
  4. Stay Cool: Avoid direct sun exposure and tanning beds for 48 hours- waxed skin is more sensitive and prone to burning.
  5. No Harsh Products: Avoid perfurmes, deodorants, exfoliants, and active ingredients (like retinol or acids) on the waxed area for at least 24-48 Hours.
  6. Loose Clothing: Wear soft, breathable fabric to reduce friction and irritation.
  7. Exfoliate Late: after 2-3 days, start gently exfoliating a few times per week to prevent ingrown hairs. Pair with a hydrating, non-comedogenic moisturizer.
  8. Normal Reactions: Redness or small bumps are common and usually fade within a day. Use a cool compress or soothing aloe get if needed.
  9. Avoid Picking: Do not shave, tweeze, or pick at the hairs between appointments-it disrupts your waxing cycle and may cause irritation.


Keeping up with regular appointments (every 4-6 weeks) helps train hair to grow back finer and softer, making each session easier over time.


Waxing Contraindications

To keep your skin safe and avoid injury, please review the following before booking a waxing service.

Products & Ingredients to Avoid Before Waxing

Stop using the following products for the recommended time before your appointment:


Vitamin A / Retinoids (Face & Body)

• Prescription tretinoin (Retin-A, Renova, Refissa): Stop 7–14 days

• Retinol, adapalene (Differin), tazarotene (Tazorac), trifarotene: Stop 7–14 days

• Oral isotretinoin (Accutane): No waxing until 6–12 months after discontinuation


Exfoliating Acids

• Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA: glycolic, lactic, mandelic): Stop 5–7 days

• Beta hydroxy acids (BHA: salicylic): Stop 5–7 days

• Polyhydroxy acids (PHA): Stop 3–5 days


Other Topicals

• Benzoyl Peroxide: Stop 5–7 days

• Topical antibiotics (clindamycin, erythromycin): Stop 3–5 days

• Topical corticosteroids (hydrocortisone, etc.): Stop 5–7 days


Skin Treatments

• Chemical peels: Wait 2 weeks

• Laser resurfacing or microneedling: Wait 4–6 weeks

• Dermaplaning, scrubs, or exfoliating facials: Wait 1 week


General Contraindications (Face & Body)

Waxing is not recommended if you:


• Are currently using Accutane (oral isotretinoin) or within the last 6–12 months

• Have active sunburn, windburn, or very recent tanning (natural or spray tan)

• Have open cuts, wounds, sores, bruises, or rashes in the area

• Have active herpes simplex (cold sores) or skin infections in the area

• Have recently had injectables, Botox, or fillers in the area (wait 1–2 weeks)

• Have undergone radiation or chemotherapy (doctor’s clearance required)

• Have severe varicose veins (for leg waxing)

• Have skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis in the wax area

• Are prone to keloid scarring or have very fragile skin

• Are taking certain blood thinners, steroids, or strong antibiotics (doctor’s clearance recommended)


Aftercare Restart

• Wait 48–72 hours after waxing before restarting tretinoin, retinol, acids, benzoyl peroxide, or scrubs.

• Always apply SPF 30+ daily to protect freshly waxed skin.