Waxing

Waxing can mean different things to everyone. Some women schedule a basic brow wax every two weeks for easy maintenance. Some opt for a lip and chin wax or a full face for a fuzz-free face. Others skip the face entirely and go straight for a Brazilian and full-leg wax. No matter what you’re waxing, there are a few rules to follow for optimal results. Here is Elysian’s Guide to Waxing Southern Pines, NC edition.

1. Licensed Esthetician

The decision to wax can seem trivial in the grand scheme of things, but the consequences of a bad wax are not something to be taken lightly. Pain, bad brows, breakouts, infection, lifted, and burnt skin are all nasty side effects of a wax gone wrong. Because of this, we highly recommend seeing a licensed esthetician that you trust whether you’re having a facial wax or body wax. 

It might be convenient to have your brows waxed at your local nail salon, but the standard of quality at Elysian is unparalleled. Our estheticians uphold the highest standards of hygiene, products, and technique. We never double-dip, our surfaces are sanitized, and tools are sterilized after every client. We’ve done a lot of trial and error to find the best hard and soft waxes, the best sticks for wax application, and the best products to help soothe any irritation wax may have caused. Our goal is no blotchy red faces when you walk out of your appointment.  As experts in skin care who do all of our waxing in our facial spa, you can trust that your skin is in good hands!

2. Hair Length

Hair length can make or break your appointment. If the wax cannot adhere to the hair properly, it cannot be removed. Luckily our estheticians have an eye for these things. If your hair is too short, we’ll reschedule your hair removal procedure for a near-future time. To avoid the hassle of rescheduling, we recommend growing your hair out to about ¼ inch or the length of a grain of rice. This is typically every 2 weeks for facial and underarm hair and 3-4 weeks for leg and bikini area hair. 

3. No Retinol

One of the biggest no-nos of waxing is the use of retinol too close to your wax appt. Even if you’ve been using retinol for years, it can leave your skin more sensitive and prone to burns.  Elysian recommends stopping the use of retinol, AHAs, and peels 7 days before a wax appointment. If you’re still not sure, ask your esthetician to do a “patch test” to see how your skin reacts. 

4. No Shaving

To get the most out of your wax, do not shave between waxes. It can be difficult to put down the razor, especially if you have an event. But the best thing you can do is schedule your waxing appointments ahead of time and stay consistent. Consistent waxing results in less and slower hair growth, and it can damage the hair follicle enough to cease growth altogether. Consistent waxing also means you’ll have a less-painful experience. The hair that does grow is finer, and with proper aftercare, the skin is softer, too.

5. Aftercare: Moisturize and Exfoliate. 

Directly after an appointment, Elise recommends moisturizing. These are her favorite products to keep the skin hydrated and calm irritation:

• GlyMed Plus Comfort Cream to soothe and hydrate the skin
• GlyMed Plus Cell Protection Balm for an occlusive layer that locks in moisture
• ColorUp Relieve Salve which contains anti-inflammatory CBD and healing beeswax
• Lira Health Recovery Balm
• Alastin Ultra Nourishing Moisturizer 

After your skin heals (approx 2-3 days after waxing) and before your next wax, Elise recommends exfoliating the skin to prevent ingrown hairs. These are her favorite products:

• ColorUp Refine Facial Scrub for a gentle physical exfoliation with anti-inflammatory CBD and ingredients that brighten the skin
• Lira Ice Clarifying Scrub for a physical exfoliation with benzoyl peroxide to treat acne and calming ingredients to soothe the skin
• Lira MYSTIQ iLuminating Polisher for a gentle physical exfoliation with lots of brightening botanical ingredients
• Relax N Wax (for Brazilian wax area) Get the Bump Outta Here! *Also available is their No Trauma Momma numbing solution for before waxing appt
• Prana Intimate Collection, including Intimate Brightening

Elysian Skin & Beauty Studio is a spa in Southern Pines, North Carolina. Elysian offers waxing appointments Tuesday-Friday from 10 AM – 6 PM. Clients can book an appointment through our booking service, Vagaro, or call for scheduling and inquiries. You can also shop all of the products listed through Vagaro on our products page. 

Elise Santoyo

Elise is a licensed Aesthetician, Microblading/PMU artist, and owner/CEO of Elysian Skin & Beauty Studio. Elise earned her Aesthetics certification from Central Carolina and is licensed in the state of North Carolina in Aesthetics Technologies. She is also certified in various facial and aesthetic modalities.