Waxing & Lash / Brow FAQ's:

I’ve never been waxed before. How is it done?

Waxing is the most common method of hair removal in spas today. Hair on any part of the body or face can be waxed. Warm wax is applied to the area and then removed, bringing the hair with it. There are two types of wax: hard and soft. Hard wax, which is easier on delicate skin, is often used on the face, underarms, and bikini area. Soft wax is used on the legs, arms, back, and chest.

Waxing reduces hair growth when performed at regular 30-day intervals. Because waxing pulls the hair out by the root, it grows back softer, finer, and thinner. The more you wax, the less hair grows back.

Waxing should not be performed if you have particularly sensitive skin, because it pulls off a couple of layers of skin cells along with the hair. Waxing can cause tenderness and swelling. In addition, some medications will cause the skin to react badly to waxing. Don’t wax if you’re taking Retin-A, Accutane, or any type of acne prescription.

Preparing for treatment

Let the hair grow out to about a half-inch above the skin. If hairs are too short, the wax won’t adhere strongly enough to pull them out. Refrain from taking a shower or bath before the treatment. Soaking the hair will soften it, allowing it to break more easily and making waxing less effective. Do not apply lotion to the skin before your waxing session.

What to expect

An antiseptic lotion may be applied to cleanse the area first. Some estheticians apply a light dusting of powder to be sure the skin is dry before applying the wax.

• If soft wax is being used, the warm wax will be spread on the hairs in a thin layer. A cloth strip (muslin or pellon) is then applied to the wax, and rubbed in the direction of hair growth. The strip is then pulled quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth while the skin is held taut with the other hand.
• If hard wax is being used, a thicker amount of warm wax is applied and allowed to dry. No cloth strip is applied. The wax is flicked to allow the esthetician to grip it, and it is then pulled off quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth. Hard wax doesn’t adhere to the skin as much as soft wax, and is therefore used on more delicate areas such as the bikini area, underarms and face.

How much does it hurt?

Most people tolerate it well, and get used to the sensation after a few treatments. The level of discomfort you will feel depends on your level of pain tolerance in general, and on which area is being waxed. If you still find waxing very uncomfortable after several treatments, many estheticians offer numbing creams that can be applied 45 minutes prior to the service. Clients can choose to take two ibuprofen tablets prior to their appointment, to reduce discomfort and decrease inflammation in the post-waxed area. For women, it is generally best not to schedule waxing services just prior to or during your period, as you are more sensitive to pain at this time and will experience more discomfort. The Wax Bar offers a numbing option you can purchase to use prior to your services.

Home care after waxing

It’s important to care for the waxed area properly after treatment to prevent ingrown hairs, breakouts, or other reactions. Exfoliation, using an exfoliator or exfoliating gloves with a bath gel, will help keep the skin clear. Avoid using a bar soap because it leaves a film on the body that could cause ingrown hairs. For the face, back, and chest, use a more gentle exfoliant and an anti-breakout lotion. The Wax Bar offers products to assist with products to prevent ingrown hairs. Directly after waxing, avoid direct sunlight and tanning booths, especially while the skin is still red from treatment. For 24 hours after waxing, avoid exercise, hot tubs, and products with harsh chemicals, perfumes, or dyes. Apply a gentle moisturizer 24 hours after treatment.

Your esthetician

Your waxing treatments should be provided by a properly trained professional.  Your therapist is a professional member of Associated Skin Care Professionals. Our members have been validated as meeting their state’s licensing credentials and/or core training requirements, and agree to follow a code of ethics which ensures you’ll be treated responsibly and with the utmost respect. ASCP also provides its members with comprehensive resources that allow them to keep up with changing trends, making certain you’ll receive the most up-to-date therapies available.

What is Brazilian waxing?

Many people are familiar with bikini waxing, which removes pubic and leg hair that would otherwise show when a bathing suit is worn. Brazilian waxing got its start with the daring bathing suits worn by both sexes on Brazil’s sunny beaches. It is now common in the United States and is preferred by many for the sleek feeling it provides.

The treatment involves waxing off all pubic and labial hair from front to back for women. A full Brazilian wax involves the removal of all genital hair. You can also request a variation on the standard Brazilian if you prefer to leave a small amount of hair.

What to expect

Try to arrive relaxed and ready to bare all. There is no modest way to receive a Brazilian wax. Your esthetician is a professional, and your dignity as a person will be respected in the treatment room.

Be ready to fill out a questionnaire and describe what medications and skin care products you are using. For women, it is best not to schedule a wax just before or during your period as it generally will feel more uncomfortable to be waxed at that time of the month. You can take 1-2 ibuprofen 30 minutes prior to your appointment to decrease sensitivity and inflammatory response following waxing. There are also numbing creams that can be applied 30-45 minutes prior to your appointment that help minimize the discomfort of waxing. The Wax Bar offers a numbing option you can purchase to use prior to your services.

You should trim the hair to ½” in length for best results prior to your appointment.  If it’s shorter, the wax may not be effective, and if the hair is longer the wax will tug on the skin more, causing more discomfort. Your esthetician can trim for you to be sure of your safety and that it is not too short for the service to be effective.

Your esthetician will use an antiseptic wipe or lotion on the area first to cleanse. Wax is applied to the area one section at a time. The wax is removed quickly and pressure is applied to the area to minimize discomfort. Cool compresses and soothing gel after the treatment also help to calm and sooth the area. It is normal to have a histamine reaction following waxing in this area, in which you may see red irritated skin and bumps for 24 hours or even longer. This is very common and will subside.

Your esthetician has learned the best techniques for removing the hair efficiently and effectively. Some of the positions you may be asked to be in may be a little embarrassing, but your esthetician is a professional who does this type of waxing frequently and will be very professional and understanding with you.

What about home care?

Your esthetician can provide the best guidance on caring for your skin after a treatment. For 24 hours following a Brazilian waxing, you should not sunbathe, use a tanning bed, use a hot tub, be sexually intimate, or perform exercise that will cause significant sweating. Loose clothing worn after the appointment is the most comfortable.

Keep the area clean and gently exfoliate the area to prevent ingrown hairs.  Special products are available at The Wax Bar to prevent ingrown hairs.

If you decide you want to continue sporting your Brazilian style, waxing at approximately four-week intervals is recommended to reduce discomfort on follow-up visits. In time, less hair will grow back, and it will become finer and lighter in color.

What is a Lash Lift or Lash Lamination?

A lash lift or lamination is a process of curling your natural lashes. This will enhance the natural lashes making them look as if you are wearing mascara. This is often incorporated with tinting of the lashes as well to complete the look.

What to expect

Come prepared to relax. It is preferred to come with no makeup on. During the lash lift you will simply lay down and receive the service. It is a painless process and you will have your eyes closed most of the time. The lash lift process takes about 45 mins to complete the entire treatment. If you incorporate the tint, expect it to take closer to an hour. The lash lift typically stays for the duration of your lash growth cycle 6-8 weeks, up to 12 weeks! The tint (if incorporated) typically lasts 3-4 weeks depending on your lifestyle and what you use on your skin. The tint can we applied again when worn off to extend the lash lift with tint look.

For a lash lift service if you are a contact lens wearer, you will want to remove the contacts for during the service.

If you use a lash growth serum, it is recommended to stop that use 24 hours before and 48 hours after the service to prevent any interference with the treatment. 

This treatment is not recommended if you have any current eye problems. This could include severe allergies, styes, infections around or in the eye, open wounds or surgery around or on the eye, extremely short or brittle / damaged lashes. Please inquire within if you need further clarification on this.

What about home care?

After a lash lift or lamination you will not want to get your lashes wet, steamed (even over a hot plate of food / dishwasher) or put anything on them for at least 24 hours. Additionally, you will not want to crush them in your sleep the first night. It is not recommended to be touching them. The lashes are still pliable for 24 hours. Lastly, it is recommended to not restart a growth serum for 48 hours from the service.

The use of a styling product and nourishing product is recommended to keep the lashes healthy and nourished after a lash lift or lamination. The Wax Bar has this available for purchase to complete the service for you.Enjoy those lashes!

What is a Brow Lamination?

A brow lamination is a process of styling your natural brows. This can help unruly brow growth lay flat and provide a fuller look. This is often incorporated with tinting of the brows as well to complete the look.

What to expect

Come prepared to relax. It is preferred to come with no makeup on. During the brow lamination you will simply lay down and receive the service. It is a painless process. The brow lamination process takes about 45 mins to complete the entire treatment. If you incorporate the tint, expect it to take closer to an hour. The brow lamination typically stays for the duration of your lash growth cycle 6-8 weeks, up to 12 weeks! The tint (if incorporated) typically lasts 3-4 weeks depending on your lifestyle and what you use on your skin. The tint can we applied again when worn off to extend the brow lamination with tint look.

If you use a brow growth serum, it is recommended to stop that use 24 hours before and 48 hours after the service to prevent any interference with the treatment. 

This treatment is not recommended if you have any current eye problems. This could include severe allergies, styes, infections around or in the eye, open wounds or surgery around or on the eye, brittle / damaged brows, some anti-acne medications as roaccutane, doxycycline, epiduo gel, some anti-aging creams or medications such as Vitamin A, Retinols, Aha's and BHA's, steroid or cortizone creams in that area. It is not recommended to have received a brow henna treatment prior within 48 hours of this treatment.Please inquire within if you need further clarification on this.

What about home care?

After a brow lamination you will not want to get your brows wet, steamed (even over a hot plate of food / dishwasher) or put anything on them for at least 48 hours. Additionally, you will not want to crush them in your sleep the 48 hours. It is not recommended to be touching them for the first 48 hours. Avoid using retinols, AHA's, Vitamin A, BHA's steroid creams, skin thinning treatments or any exfoliation in the brow area for the first 48 hours Lastly, it is recommended to not restart a growth serum for 48 hours from the service.  After wetting the brow hairs (after the initial 48 hours) brushing them gently back into place is necessary.

The use of a styling product and nourishing product is recommended and required to re-obtain the position of the hairs after a brow lamination. The Wax Bar has this available for purchase to complete the service for you. Enjoy those brows!