Body hair is a matter of personal preference. Whether you remove, trim, or keep your body hair is entirely up to you - there is no wrong or right. There are myriad ways to remove body hair, from shaving to epilating and IPL, but if you’re in search of a method that’s cheap, lasts weeks, slows regrowth and you can do at home, waxing might be the option for you.
That said, at-home waxing comes with a certain amount of questions and worries. What should you use? What technique works best? Which bits are safe to wax yourself? What should you leave to the professionals? And the big one: how can you minimise the ouch factor?
To help you navigate the world of waxing, we spoke to the experts: Bee Sidhu, manager of Nails & Brows Mayfair beauty salon, and Monica Ella Botros, co-managing director at Strip salons. We gathered their top tips to share with you, so you can wax safely and confidently at home (and know what to leave to the salon pros…).
Why should I wax instead of shaving?
First, let’s talk about the perks. Waxing offers several benefits, as Monica explains. “Unlike shaving, when hair grows back in a day or two, waxing keep you hair free for around a month. Over time, you'll also see the hair starting to come through thinner. We have people coming into Strip in their 40s and 50s, and they hardly have any hair left for us to wax, because they've been waxing from such a young age.”
Waxing is also less aggravating to your skin than shaving. “When you’re dragging a razor across your skin every couple of days, you’ll start to cause irritation,” says Monica. “Waxing avoids the bumps and rashes you get from shaving. You're pulling the hair from the root, so there's nothing to get stuck under the skin and you're less prone to ingrown hairs.”
Waxing is also great for the general condition of your skin, she notes. “It works as an exfoliant, pulling off the top layer of the dead skin, which keeps pores as clear as possible.”
What should beginners use to wax at home?
Salons tend to use hot beeswax, as the warmth of the formula helps to relax the pores for easier, less painful hair removal. However, hot wax can be tricky and messy for novices, says Bee, so she recommends using cold wax strips for home use.
“These provide a simple and controlled application process, making them easier to use,” she says. “Invest in quality strips, as cheaper ones may not grip the hairs well. Veet Wax Strips for Sensitive Skin are a good option, as they’re designed for both face and body hair removal. Plus they come with step by step guidance."
How do I use DIY waxing strips?
Always read the instructions, but most cold wax strips will advise you to warm each strip first for best adhesion. Rubbing the strip between your hands should do the trick. (GH beauty director Lynne likes to sit on the ‘wax strips in waiting’ as a lazy alternative!)
Press each strip firmly onto your skin to ensure the sticky wax strip adheres well. There should be a small, unwaxed section at the end which will allow you to pull the wax away.
“My top tip for home waxing is to hold the skin taut when you’re about to pull the wax strip off,” says Monica. “You need to pull in the opposite direction to which the hair is growing.”
You’ll need to be quick and decisive when you pull the strip away, as this is the key to pulling the hair out from the root. However, do take your time when it comes to actually applying the wax strips. “Be patient – rushing can lead to missed hairs, uneven results, and broken hairs which will leave the skin feeling rough,” says Bee
What are the common DIY waxing mistakes to avoid?
We know that waxing can feel scary, but being committed rather than half-hearted is vital. There’s nothing worse than a tentative tug that leaves half the hairs still in situ. “Waxing needs to be strong and quick to get the hair out from the root,” says Monica. “If you try to pull the strip off slowly, the hair won’t come out, the wax is going to get stuck to your skin, and that’s when it’s going to start getting messy. Just make sure there's a lot of confidence: a quick pull and your skin held taut.”
You want to get it right first time because “a really important rule is, don't go over the same area twice,” adds Monica. “You're probably going to start tugging at the skin, and that's when you're going to cause irritation and potential damage to the skin.” If you spot annoying strays, it’s best to remove them with a tweezer.
While the waxing motion itself should be quick, take your time to apply to strips properly. “Begin with small patches to build your confidence, and once you get the hang of it you can try larger areas,” advises Bee.
How can I make waxing less painful?
"Taking painkillers 30 minutes before waxing can help reduce the discomfort," advises Bee. Holding the skin taut is crucial, too. Monica adds: "Once the wax has been removed, don’t forget to apply pressure to the skin with your hand – this will help to reduce any pain."
However, if you've got a very low pain threshold, it might be worth trying a pro wax – at least at first. "Salon waxing is less painful," says Monica. "We put our therapists through extensive training, and we pride ourselves on offering a pain-free wax due to the different techniques that we use, the temperature of the wax, and the direction in which we're putting the wax off." Bee adds that pro results are both better and longer lasting. "Salons also use higher-quality wax that is less likely to cause irritation or ingrown hairs".
Can I do a DIY Brazilian wax?
“Technically, yes, but if you’re new to waxing, I wouldn’t recommend it due to the pain, sensitivity, and risk of bruising.” says Bee.
Monica agrees entirely: “I would 100% recommend you leave a Brazilian wax to the professionals. It's a delicate area, and it needs to be handled with care. You could cause rashes or pull the skin off, and that’s going to very sore. You could get wax stuck down there, or even find you can’t pull the wax strip off.”
The bikini line is very doable though, she adds. “That's not too difficult but I think anything that goes further than that gets complicated and could go wrong if you do it yourself. So to avoid any damage, let the professionals do it!”
How can I remove a wax strip that's stuck down there?
Hopefully you took heed of the advice above and are only reading this section out of curiosity. However, since you’re here, we’ll tell you. “If a wax strip gets stuck, we would recommend that you add more warmth to it, so the heat loosen up the wax,” says Monica.
“Applying oil to the area can also help to release the wax from the skin. Make sure the area remains taut at all times as you try to remove the strip. But if it’s really stuck, we would definitely recommend coming in and seeking professional attention to remove it so that it doesn't harm the area.” Don’t be embarrassed – beauty therapists have seen it all before.
How do I care for the skin after waxing?
“We always tell clients that waxing does not finish at the appointment,” says Monica. There’s lots of post-care advice that applies to all waxing, whether it’s done at home or in the salon. “Don’t apply any perfumed products to waxed areas,” she says. “You have a shower or a bath, but for the first 12-24 hours after waxing, make sure that the water isn't too hot, because it will irritate the skin. Keep away from sun beds and swimming pools during that time, and avoid heavy exercise because sweat can clog up the pores and cause irritation.”
It’s also a good idea to swap your usual bodycare products for a soothing aloe vera gel instead. Happy waxing!
