Beauty Basics​

Do I need to do anything before my appointment?

Yes! Take a look at the Waxing Advice page for more details.

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What is the difference between strip and hot/peelable wax?

Strip wax is recommended for thicker/less sensitive skin, eg. legs, arms, back, chest and shoulders.  A thin layer is applied to the skin and is removed using a paper/fabric strip.  Hot/peelable wax is used for the more sensitive areas, eg. face, bikini and underarms.  Hot wax is applied and dries quickly on the skin.  It is then removed by hand.

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How long should the hair be?

Hair should be the length of an uncooked grain of rice - about 0.5cm, to get the best results.

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It's going to hurt, right?

I can't say it won't be uncomfortable but I can reassure you it isn't painful. You do become accustomed to the process which puts you at ease and after, you forget all about it because the results are so great. Pain score when asked usually sits at around 6/10!

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How long will I be hair free for and how often should I have it done?

You will probably have very little growth for the first 3 weeks, unless you have previously shaved. To get a perfectly smooth finish will take 3-4 wax sessions after shaving. Most men will book in every 6-8 weeks as this falls in line with the hair growth cycle.

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What if I have shaved?

It's recommended to leave your hair for at least 3 weeks after shaving.  This may seem difficult because your hair will feel stubbly when shaving so it's more troublesome.  Please give it a chance!  After the first wax following shaving, a great deal of the hairs will have been removed from the root.  However, because shaving is done more regularly, there will be secondary growth which will come through as stubbly hair - LEAVE IT! Wait the 4 weeks for your next wax appointment where those secondary hairs and initial hairs will be waxed again.  It takes between 3-4 waxing sessions to remove all the stubbly hair and then you're home and dry. Silky soft, long lasting hair-free skin.

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How do I prevent ingrown hairs?

Try and get into good habits with a two prong approach: exfoliate and moisturise. You don't need any expensive exfoliating products - just use the exfoliating mittens available in all good stores which can be used daily. Afterwards, use Ashmira Botanica care products which are specially formulated for post waxing, available inexpensively in salon. Using this routine will free the hair from the skin by sloughing off any dry skin cells, and the cream moisturises, allowing the hairs to grow through more easily. What you need to remember is that waxed hair grows back tapered so it has to work harder to push through the skin.  If the skin is dry and dehydrated, the hair can't get through and curls back on itself, thus causing an ingrown hair. Lastly - don't try picking at the ingrown hairs. It may be tempting but this can cause scarring.  Ingrown hair serum can be purchased inexpensively in the salon and is incredibly effective in 'drawing out' the hair.

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I have allergies  / sensitive skin.  Can I have a wax?

If you have skin sensitivities or allergies, it's probably a good idea to have a patch test to make sure the wax doesn't cause any issues. 

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If you have any form of contagious skin conditions, sunburn, chafed or broken skin, I will be unable to wax the affected area until it has cleared up.  Skin treated with steroid creams, retinoid acne creams or Roaccutane will need to wait for 3-6 months after the completing their medication.