Exfoliating the body and face is part of any skincare routine, but knowing what happens if you exfoliate after waxing is equally important.
A prominent advantage of waxing is that hair grows back much more slowly afterward. This is because it rips hair out from its roots.
Shaving involves chopping off the hairs at or near the skin’s surface. If you shave really closely, you’ll still leave a lot of hair just below the surface, ready to grow out in a day or two.
But, when you finally stick with waxing, you must know how to prep your skin.
That’s when you have to ask, “Can I exfoliate after waxing or do it before waxing? And what happens if you do it afterward?
Your skin may become damaged if you exfoliate under 48 hours after waxing, but after that period, it’s actually beneficial to exfoliate regularly.
Tip: Remember certain medications can sensitize the skin and make waxing painful, so be sure to talk to your healthcare provider first.
What Happens If You Exfoliate after Waxing Your Body?
Following a good skincare routine is essential to keep your sensitive skin from becoming dry and flaky or to prevent ingrown hairs.
Exfoliating properly means you get rid of dirt, dead skin, and debris. In return, the wax will have a better chance of sticking to your hair and not your skin.
You’ll experience less pain and better results from the wax, and who doesn’t desire a stress-free waxing experience?
Can You Exfoliate after Waxing?
Yes, you can, but always follow the 48-hour rule.
It’s important to keep your legs clean, dry, and free of any irritants for the first 48 hours after waxing.
Exfoliation, synthetic materials, saunas, direct sunshine, and hot steamy showers/baths also have an impact.
If you exfoliate too soon, you’ll have dry, flaky skin. On the other hand, if you wait too long, you might develop ingrown hairs and bumps on your skin.
Tip: Stick with exfoliation for 6-8 weeks to reduce whiteheads, blackheads, acne, and other skin problems.
Should You Exfoliate Before or After Waxing?
If you’re not sure when to exfoliate, you can do both – that is, before and after waxing. Of course, there are rules to follow.
Exfoliating after Waxing
It’s actually a good idea to exfoliate at least twice a week after waxing. Doing so helps prevent ingrown hairs.
But, remember, you should not exfoliate under 48 hours after your waxing session.
It’s also vital to pick the right product for exfoliation. Look for a lotion or body polish that contains moisturizing cream as well.
These products are suitable for your post-wax skincare routine. The proper use would leave your skin smooth.
Exfoliating Before Waxing
Exfoliating before waxing is just as important, and may be more than doing it afterward.
Not cleansing and exfoliating the skin beforehand might cause the wax to adhere, making it difficult to remove the hair in a single sitting. Worse, you may start to get ingrown hairs more frequently.
Even though you have a natural process for shedding dead skin cells and replacing them with new ones, your body might use some aid.
For that marginally more forceful nudge, try exfoliation at least 48 hours before waxing.
What Makes Exfoliation Better Before Waxing?
You get rid of your skin’s dead surface layer when you exfoliate. However, when dead skin cells and the debris they bring are not regularly removed, pores become clogged and bacteria can’t escape.
It leads to ingrown hair as well as other skin reactions, including itching, redness, and infection.
A Word of Caution
To avoid causing any irritation to the sensitive vaginal and genital areas, simply exfoliate the bikini line, sides, and top of the waxed area.
No matter how often you have Brazilian waxes, don’t ever apply an exfoliator on your inner vaginal or buttocks area.
Also, don’t exfoliate too close to your waxing session. If you do it over freshly-waxed skin, it will create friction and eventually lead to inflammation.
Be sure to give your skin time to heal properly before you try waxing.
How Frequently Should I Exfoliate?
You may notice hair regrowth in a week or two after waxing. And you’ll also see finer hairs begin to curl in on themselves if they encounter a barrier, such as a plugged pore.
Regular exfoliation promotes the growth of these tiny hairs back up through the skin.
It also discourages them from becoming ingrown hairs, which can be particularly irritating in the bikini area.
It’s best to exfoliate at least twice a week in the winter when dry air and indoor heat make skin and hair more resistant to care.
Moreover, exfoliating at least once a week will help maintain your skin’s healthy radiance, smooth texture, and optimal moisture levels throughout the warmer months.
How Should You Exfoliate after Waxing?
When you wax, ingrown hairs are more likely to appear. Exfoliating the skin afterward can help prevent this.
The likelihood of ingrown hairs and congested pores is diminished when exfoliation is performed after waxing.
Because of this, the process of naturally losing your skin’s outer layer is accelerated. But, how should you go about post-wax exfoliation?
Step #1: Wait for Long Enough
After your recent waxing session, whether done by a professional or on your own, wait at least two to three days before exfoliating.
This will also give your skin time to heal from any irritation or redness and close any pores that may have opened.
Using exfoliation right after waxing will aggravate the skin even more. It’s important to let your skin fully recover before getting started.
Step #2: Massage the Area
Gently rub an exfoliating glove over the waxed regions of your skin to help remove the excess wax.
To handle it better without irritating your skin, try using a self-tan removal mitt.
You can also use other products, like exfoliating and priming scrub, to slough away dead skin cells and impurities.
A good product can make your skin soft, smooth, and silky.
Step #3: Continue as Needed
Don’t just stop after a single session. Fine hair can be coaxed back through the skin by exfoliating it consistently.
As a result, you won’t have to worry about it developing into uncomfortable ingrown hair along your bikini line.
Step #4: Moisturize Properly
Be sure to moisturize your skin after exfoliating.
You should opt for a hydrating moisturizer because it makes your skin feel smooth and nourishes it at the same time.
Tip: Keep in mind that dry exfoliating works better to remove dirt and dead cells but you should do it carefully and be gentler.
How Do You Prep Your Skin for Exfoliating After Waxing?
Exfoliating before waxing is a great way to prepare your skin for waxing. But, there’s more you can do.
You have to understand that the decision to wax isn’t one to be made on the spur of the moment.
Preparing your skin for waxing is important for both comfort and optimal results.
It matters whether you’re getting a tiny region waxed like your upper lip or eyebrows or a huge expanse like your back, legs, or chest.
Here’s what you should do to prepare for your next waxing appointment.
Check Your Skin Carefully
You should always examine the area to be waxed in advance to ensure the skin is healthy enough for the procedure.
If your skin is damaged or inflamed, wait until it has healed before waxing.
Please inform your esthetician of any moles or other beauty marks you may have so that they can be covered with wax.
Let Your Hair Grow
Know what’s the optimum hair length for efficient waxing. Give your hair some time to grow out so the wax can get a better grip on it.
If your hair is too short, the wax won’t be able to pick it up. But, if your hair is too long, it will prevent the wax from adhering to your hair and will make the waxing procedure more painful.
The hair on your underarms, legs, and bikini line should be two to three weeks old, or approximately an eighth to a quarter of an inch long.
Stick with Light Exfoliation
We can’t accentuate it more, can we? So be sure to gently exfoliate your skin a couple of days before your waxing appointment using a gentle scrub.
Just avoid doing so on the day of your appointment.
Remember, exfoliation increases the likelihood of the wax grasping hair rather than skin, but it also increases the sensitivity of the skin.
Therefore, waxing may become more painful.
Light exfoliation is all that you need and you can do it with a rough washcloth. It’s important not to scrub too hard.
Clean the Bikini Area
Maintaining clean skin in the bikini area is essential whether you get an LA wax, a Brazilian wax, or a standard bikini.
After waxing, the skin is more susceptible to infection, especially in naturally warm and wet body parts. So, take no chances!
Tip: Change your exfoliating routine if you notice skin irritation, breakouts, inflammation, burning, or peeling.
Takeaway
Exfoliation is important, but so is knowing what happens if you exfoliate after waxing.
Waxing is one popular way to get rid of unwanted hair, but the results depend a lot on how you prep your skin and how you care for it later.
When in doubt, you can do light exfoliation before and after waxing. But, consult your esthetician to confirm what works best for your skin type.
