Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Have you ever wondered why therapists apply nice-smelling products to your skin before even applying any wax? Surely the wax will just take it all off again. Well, that’s kind of the idea. Pre-waxing products prepare the skin (and hair) for waxing. Afterwards, Post-waxing products soothe and heal.
Read on to find out what pre- and post-waxing products are and why they are so important for a successful waxing treatment.
Sebaceous glands in our skin produce and secrete an oily substance called sebum. Sebum is a natural moisturiser for our skin and hair, and also offers protection. It is a complex mix of fatty acids, sugars, waxes, squalene and other chemicals. Mostly wax esters and triglycerides. It also forms part of the pilosebaceous unit, which includes the hair follicle, hair shaft, and arrector pili muscles.
OK, enough with the science. Because it is oily, sebum makes it harder for the wax to adhere to and remove unwanted hair. Therefore, we need to clean it off before a waxing treatment. This is where a good quality skin cleanser comes in. It needs to remove enough sebum without dehydrating the skin too much.
Sebum can mix with dead skin cells, harden and plug follicles, causing an ingrown hair to form. That’s the last thing we want on beautifully smooth, hairless skin! Post-waxing products can really help to minimise the appearance of ingrowns.
Absolutely! Nobody wants to experience more discomfort than necessary or end up with patchy results that don’t last very long. Or, heaven forbid, suffer skin damage.
Properly preparing the skin and caring for it after waxing ensures optimal results. Professional therapists will always use pre- and post-wax products that work in harmony with the wax they choose.
Pre-waxing products are designed to cleanse and prepare the skin before the treatment. Their formulations optimise wax efficacy for optimal removal. Thoroughly cleansing the skin of natural oils, lotions, or makeup is essential to ensure that the wax sufficiently adheres to the hair.
After care products nourish and calm. Skin that’s well taken care of is less likely to develop ingrown hairs or other irritations.
Before waxing:
After waxing:
Thoroughly cleansing the skin is the most important step before any waxing procedure. Harley Waxing Cleanser & Toner works in two stages. First, it emulsifies and removes any oil and impurities. Then, it balances the pH and refines skin texture. Ginseng Root Extract provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
“Wait, didn’t you say oil is detrimental to hair removal?” Yes, it’s a bit of a contradiction. The right kind of oil makes all the difference. Sebum and body lotions are too greasy. Pre-waxing oil is a light product formulated with highly refined mineral oil that helps hot and film waxes adhere to the hair and not your skin. Less pull on the skin means less discomfort overall.
Applied after waxing, it removes any traces of wax that might be left behind and soothes skin. Especially effective after a strip wax treatment, when the skin might feel slightly sticky. After Wax Oil contains Lavender, known for its soothing properties, and Tea Tree, as an antimicrobial, to promote skin healing.
For a fresh, oil-free finish, Aloe Soothing Gel is a great choice, particularly after facial or underarm waxing when an oil may feel too heavy. Soluble Collagen and Glycerine moisturise skin, while Aloe Vera hydrates, cools and comforts.
Salicylic, Lactic and Citric acids in this formula have a keratolytic action, meaning they break down keratin bonds between dead skin cells. This will prevent a build-up of these cells, which can cause ingrown hairs. Then Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) moisturises, soothes and heals.
Designed to work in harmony with depilatory waxes, good-quality pre- and post-waxing products can mean the difference between a mediocre and next-level waxing experience.
