Chantelle FarrellPost-waxing care is vital to save you from any side effects that could ruin a perfect waxing job.
But everyone seems to have different rules and advice when it comes to post-waxing care— specifically about showering after waxing.
Can you shower after getting a wax?
If you have never had a waxing treatment before, or if you’ve had a negative reaction to one previously, this aftercare guide will help you.
Can You Shower After Waxing?
It makes sense that after a waxing treatment, you might want to rinse off and shower. The ingredient in wax can be sticky, so rinsing off any wax residue seems logical.
You’d also want to relax, and a good shower does an incredible way of soothing your skin after all that excruciating pain. However, think twice before you jump into the shower right after a waxing treatment.
If you’ve done your treatment in a salon, keep in mind that most therapists apply an antibacterial and cooling lotion post-wax. A post-depilatory lotion will help remove any wax residue as well as calm and protect your skin.
So it’s not recommended to shower right after your waxing appointment because it’s necessary to give the post-depilatory lotion time to help soothe the swelling and redness on your skin. Plus, you need to consider a few precautions for an after-wax shower.
How About Showering Before Waxing?
Not everyone will agree that showering before getting a wax is the best pre-waxing practice.
But there are reasons why getting a good rinse in the shower might be a good idea before your waxing appointment:
- Taking a shower removes lotion residue, sweat, or dirt, making your skin fresh and ready for treatment.
- Showering will also help open your pores and smoothen and soften the skin.
- Showering is hygienic, and you’d want the wax technician to work on clean skin.
You may take a shower before your waxing session, but keep at least an hour between them.
It is essential to allow enough time for your skin to completely dry and for your body temperature to return to normal. Otherwise, hot wax can either irritate, bruise, or even burn your skin.
Pro Tip
Make sure to exfoliate before your next waxing. Using an exfoliating body scrub is the best way to avoid clogged pores and ingrown hairs after the procedure. Exfoliating after waxing is not recommended.
Gluten-free formula with 10% AHA and vitamin E that nourishes and protects skin makes this body scrub a perfect pre-waxing solution for dry, normal, and sensitive skin.
How Soon Can You Shower After Waxing?
It’s best to leave some time between your waxing treatment and shower. But how long should you wait?
A wax most likely caused your skin to swell and become red. Besides being extra sensitive, the pores are still open after the session, so extra care is advisable.
You’ll need to keep the skin dry and clean for the next 48 hours to avoid irritating the delicate skin. If you can skip a shower for 48 hours, go for it.
But if you can’t wait that long before taking a shower, wait just long enough to let your body temperature stabilize and regain some of your natural sensitivities in the waxed area of your skin.
Two hours after waxing should be enough waiting time between waxing and showering. The longer you can wait, the better.
How to Shower After Waxing
Now you know it — showering after waxing is possible, but only after you give it a couple of hours to calm your oversensitive skin.
As you shower after waxing, there are a few things to keep in mind as well.
These post-waxing care tips will help your skin heal faster and minimize problems like redness, itching, rashes, scarring, and bacterial infections.
- Shower with lukewarm water.
When showering after a wax, always use warm or lukewarm water. Keep your showers under 20 minutes.
You can also shower with cool water if that is more comfortable. You can think of it as a cold compress, which encourages the swelling and redness of your newly waxed skin to subside.
Heat can irritate your already sensitive skin, which is not only uncomfortable but has a way of damaging your newly waxed skin. Avoid hot showers at all costs for the first 24 to 48 hours after getting a wax.
- Apply in-shower moisturizers.
Dermatologists recommend applying in-shower oils and lotions as a viable strategy to prevent ingrown hairs after waxing.
The explanation is simple: moisturizers will trap some of the shower water on the skin, making skin softer and more pliable for optimal hair growth.
We recommend choosing moisturizers that can be applied in-shower for the best performance.
This wet skin lotion with advanced ceramide complex and Vitamin E provides best-in-class moisturization and skin restoration. Recommended for dry and itchy skin. Can be applied in-shower.
- Skip the steam or sauna.
It is best to avoid the steam room or sauna for the first 24 to 48 hours after your waxing appointment to avoid aggravating your sensitive skin and getting an infection. Jacuzzis and swimming pools should also be avoided until inflammation and redness subside.
- Skip the shower scrub, at least during the first 48 hours after wax.
Another thing to keep in mind when showering right after a wax is to avoid the shower scrub or the body brush. Newly waxed skin is prone to irritation and any form of brushing or rubbing can only make it more sensitive, red, and inflamed.
- Avoid exfoliating products, scented lotions, and perfumes for the next 48 hours.
Although using exfoliators is recommended BEFORE the waxing procedure, you should also avoid using any exfoliating products, scrubs, and brushes for 48 hours AFTER your waxing session. Your skin is still healing from the waxing treatment in the first 24 to 48 hours.
Although exfoliating is a must to keep the skin smooth after a wax and avoid ingrown hair, doing that during the healing period can only irritate your skin, risking infection. Wait for at least a week for your hair follicles and skin to heal before doing any exfoliation.
Also, your skin pores are still open, so it’s best to avoid using any extra chemicals right after getting a wax. So, steer clear of the scented lotions, body mists, deodorants, and perfumes for the next 48 hours.
- Apply post-wax skincare products.
If you experience particularly itchy, dry and bumpy skin after the waxing procedure, you can use post-wax gels that speed up the healing process without the added risk of skin irritation.
Opt-out for glycerin-containing products such as with post-wax healing properties and stay away from scented and scrub-like products mentioned earlier.
This post-wax gel from GiGi contains salicylic acid for gentle exfoliation and unclogging, panthenol for treating skin damage, and glycerin for hydration. Reduces skin discomfort after any hair removal procedure.
- Dry your newly waxed skin gently after the shower.
Avoid anything that can cause irritation and discomfort to your sensitized skin after waxing. When drying after the shower, avoid rubbing your newly waxed skin with a towel. Instead, pat it dry with a clean towel or air dry for minimal discomfort.
Make sure you apply these post-waxing showering tips to keep your skin healthy and glowing after getting a wax.
After a wax, you should also avoid:
- Scratching your freshly waxed skin
- Prolonged sun exposure
- Physical activities that make you sweaty like working out
- Using oily or drying skin products
- Scheduling a chemical peeling session
While waxing is not something you need to be afraid of, it does leave your skin a bit vulnerable and sensitive, at least for a little while.
During this time, applying extra care to your sensitive skin is necessary to help soothe the side effects of waxing.
