10 Tips to Care for Your Skin Before and After a Wax
It’s hard to overstate the importance of after-wax care. When you go in for a wax—whether it be your underarms, legs, bikini area, or somewhere else entirely—your goal is to have smooth, skin. Post-wax pimples, bumps, and redness, not so much. Luckily, a proper pre and post-wax routine can help minimize the risk of developing these concerns. If you’re not sure how to prep for a wax—or care for your skin afterward—keep reading. Here, we’ll share pre- and post-wax do’s and don’ts and clue you in on the best ways to soothe your skin and keep after-wax pimples, redness, and irritation at bay.
1. Exfoliate Before Your Wax
Exfoliating before your wax is important, as the process can help remove any dead skin, dirt, and debris that can interfere with the hair removal process. This, in turn, helps ensure a smoother waxing experience.
If you’re waxing your face—think eyebrows or upper lip—we recommend gently exfoliating with the SkinCeuticals Micro Exfoliating Scrub the day before the appointment. For your body, try the Aēsop Redemption Body Scrub.
2. Apply Baby Powder Before Waxing
If you’re prone to post-wax irritation, consider lightly dusting the area with baby powder before smoothing on your wax (or, if you’re getting a professional wax, ask your technician to). Baby powder can help absorb excess oils on your skin that may interfere with the wax. It also acts as a barrier and helps prevent the wax from sticking to your skin. A light dusting is all you need—too much can prevent the wax from adhering to your hair.
3. Opt For a Gentler Wax
The type of wax you use can play a big role in how your skin looks and feels after the fact. Traditional soft wax is heated to fairly high temperatures, which could potentially irritate the skin. If you have sensitive skin, try hard wax or sugaring instead: Both are generally considered to be slightly less painful than soft wax since they only adhere to the hair (and not your skin).
4. Apply a Cold Compress
We won’t lie: Waxing often isn’t the most pleasant experience. It can be uncomfortable, even for seasoned vets. To help soothe post-wax discomfort, apply a cold compress to the area for five to ten minutes. Just take care not to put ice directly on your skin—instead, wrap your cold compress in a clean towel or cloth.
5. Try Aloe Vera
You’re likely aware of how well aloe vera can help cool the skin after a sunburn. What you may not know is that the summer staple can be equally useful for soothing post-wax discomfort. Immediately after your wax, apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel to the affected area to help calm the skin and reduce redness. Just be sure that you’re using 100% aloe vera—many formulas contain alcohol, which can dry out the skin.
6. Try a Post-Shave Treatment
If you don’t have any aloe vera on hand, try a post-shave treatment. These products are formulated specifically to help soothe and calm the skin after hair removal. Many also contain gentle chemical exfoliants to help reduce the likelihood of developing red bumps after waxing or shaving. Kiehl’s Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief is a great pick, as it moisturizes, cools, and helps calm irritated skin. If you’re dealing specifically with post-bikini wax bumps, try the Fur Ingrown Concentrate. The oil-based formula helps soothe skin after hair removal, and it’s suitable for delicate areas, like your upper lip and pubic area.
7. Wear Loose, Breathable Clothing
After your wax, keep it comfy. Skip the skin-tight jeans or leggings and stick to loose, breathable clothing for at least 24 hours. Tight clothes can create unnecessary friction, which may worsen discomfort after a wax.
8. Use a Gentle Cleanser
Bumps after waxing can develop if dirt, oil, and bacteria are introduced to the area. Keep your body clean of potentially irritating dirt, oil, and debris with a gentle body cleanser, such as the Youth to the People Superfood + Niacinamide Body Cleanser, which helps cleanse and hydrate the skin while improving skin texture and tone. For the face, we love the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser, which is pH-balanced and packed with kind-to-your-skin ingredients, including olive-derived squalane, avocado oil, and glycerin.
9. Don’t Pick at Bumps
When it comes to after-wax care, knowing what to do is as important as knowing what not to do. And one thing you should definitely avoid is touching the area. If you touch your skin after a wax, you risk transferring dirt and bacteria from your hands onto your freshly-waxed skin—which could lead to post-wax pimples. Keep your hands off, and if you spot any ingrowns or bumps, leave them be: Picking at them could worsen irritation and lead to discoloration (or even, potentially, scarring).
10. Exfoliate With Care
It’s best to avoid exfoliating immediately after your wax, as the skin may be more sensitive than usual. But once the area is back to normal, consider adding a (gentle) exfoliant to your after-wax care routine. Consistent exfoliation can keep the skin smooth and soft and help release ingrown hairs, per the Cleveland Clinic. For body exfoliation, we love the Youth to the People 10% AHA + Yerba Mate Energy Scrub, as it contains both physical and chemical exfoliants and helps unclog pores. Facial skin is a bit more delicate, so using a mild chemical exfoliant is ideal. Try the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 12% Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum, which offers gentle exfoliation and helps promote brighter, more even-looking skin.
11. Keep the Area Moisturized
According to a study published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, hair removal—both shaving and waxing—can disrupt your skin’s natural moisture barrier. This can lead to dryness and leave your skin more susceptible to irritation. To help replenish your skin barrier, moisturize the area daily with a nourishing cream or lotion. We’re partial to the Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Refillable Body Lotion with Cocoa Butter for the skin below the neck, while CeraVe AM Lotion Face Moisturizer with SPF 30 is ideal for hydrating, protecting, and nourishing facial skin.
12. Be Patient
Dealing with red bumps and ingrowns can be frustrating, but it’s important to be patient while you wait for the discomfort to subside. If your skin still looks red and bumpy after some time has passed or it starts to get worse, it’s a good idea to visit your dermatologist. They can help address the problem and provide insight into what you can do to prevent unnecessary discomfort (and those irritating post-bikini wax bumps) next time around.
Key Takeaways
Prepare and Soothe Correctly: Proper care starts before you wax with gentle exfoliation 24 hours prior to removing dead skin cells. Immediately after your wax, soothe the area with a cold compress or a thin layer of 100% aloe vera gel to help calm redness and reduce immediate discomfort.
Minimize Bumps and Irritation: In the first 24 hours post-wax, wear loose, breathable clothing to minimize friction. Keep the area clean with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser like Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser and—most importantly—do not touch or pick at the skin to avoid transferring bacteria and causing irritation or potential scarring.
Maintain Smoothness with Exfoliation and Moisture: After waiting at least 24-48 hours, begin a routine of gentle exfoliation to help prevent ingrown hairs. Follow every shower with a nourishing, fragrance-free moisturizer, like Kiehl’s Creme de Corps, to replenish your skin’s moisture barrier, which is often disrupted during waxing.
Tips for Prepping Your Skin Before Your Wax
1. Gently Exfoliate the Area
Exfoliating the day before your appointment is a crucial first step. This process helps slough away dead skin cells that can clog follicles, supporting proper wax adhesion to the hair and not the skin. This can lead to a cleaner wax and helps prevent future ingrown hairs.
For Face: SkinCeuticals Micro Exfoliating Scrub has a gentle formula ideal for prepping delicate areas like the brows or upper lip.
For Body: Try the Aēsop Redemption Body Scrub to effectively smooth larger areas like legs and arms.
2. Opt for a Gentler Wax
The type of wax you use can play a big role in how your skin looks and feels after the fact. Traditional soft wax is heated to fairly high temperatures, which could potentially irritate the skin. If you have sensitive skin, try hard wax or sugaring instead: Both are generally considered to be slightly less painful than soft wax since they only adhere to the hair (and not your skin).
PRO Tip: Lightly dusting baby powder on your skin before waxing can help absorb excess oil and creates a light protective barrier, helping the wax grip hair and not skin. A light dusting is all you need—too much can prevent the wax from adhering to your hair.
3. Apply a Cold Compress to Soothe
It’s normal to feel some discomfort right after a wax. It can be uncomfortable, even for seasoned vets. To help soothe post-wax discomfort, apply a cold compress to the area for five to ten minutes. Just take care not to put ice directly on your skin—instead, wrap your cold compress in a clean towel or cloth.
4. Reach for Soothing Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is excellent for helping to calm skin post-wax. Immediately after your wax, apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel to the affected area to help calm the skin and reduce redness. Just be sure that you’re using 100% aloe vera—many formulas contain alcohol, which can dry out the skin.
5. Wear Loose, Breathable Clothing
Friction is the enemy of freshly waxed skin. After your wax, keep it comfy. Skip the skin-tight jeans, leggings, or synthetic fabrics, and stick to loose, breathable clothing for at least 24 hours to allow your skin to breathe and recover without unnecessary rubbing.
6. Cleanse with a Gentle Formula
Bumps after waxing can develop if dirt, oil, and bacteria are introduced to the area. To keep pores clear of potentially irritating dirt, oil, and debris, use a mild, gentle cleanser in the shower.
For Body: The Youth to the People Superfood + Niacinamide Body Cleanser, is a great choice that cleanses effectively while helping to hydrate the skin.
For Face: The Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cleanser, is pH-balanced and packed with kind-to-your-skin ingredients, including olive-derived squalane, avocado oil, and glycerin.
7. Don’t Pick at Bumps
One thing you should definitely avoid is touching the area. If you touch your skin after a wax, you risk transferring dirt and bacteria from your hands onto your freshly-waxed skin—which could lead to post-wax pimples. Keep your hands off, and if you spot any ingrowns or bumps, leave them be: picking at them could worsen irritation and lead to discoloration (or even, potentially, scarring).
Ongoing Maintenance (After 48 Hours)
8. Reintroduce Exfoliation Carefully
It’s best to avoid exfoliating immediately after your wax, as the skin may be more sensitive than usual. But once the area is back to normal, consider adding a (gentle) exfoliant to your after-wax care routine. According to the Cleveland Clinic, exfoliation removes layers of dead skin that can help reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs.
For Body: Youth to the People 10% AHA + Yerba Mate Smoothing Energy Scrub contains both physical and chemical exfoliants and helps unclog pores.
For Face: Facial skin is a bit more delicate, so using a mild chemical exfoliant is ideal. Try the L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal 12% Niacinamide Dark Spot Serum, which offers gentle exfoliation and helps promote brighter, more even-looking skin.
9. Keep the Area Moisturized
According to a study published in Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, hair removal—both shaving and waxing—can disrupt your skin’s natural moisture barrier. This can lead to dryness and leave your skin more susceptible to irritation. To help replenish your skin barrier, moisturize the area daily with a nourishing cream or lotion.
For Body: The rich, hydrating formula of Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Refillable Body Lotion with Cocoa Butter is an excellent option.
For Face: The CeraVe AM Lotion Face Moisturizer with SPF 30 is formulated with ceramides to help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier, making it a popular choice for post-wax hydration and ceramide-based moisturizers. It hydrates, protects, and nourishes facial skin, while also providing essential sun protection.
10. Use a Targeted Treatment for Bumps
If you’re prone to bumps and irritation, a post-shave treatment can help. These products are formulated specifically to help soothe and calm the skin after hair removal.
For general areas: While designed for shaving, Kiehl’s Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief, is a calming and moisturizing formula that can help sooth skin and reduce the appearance of redness after hair removal.
For delicate areas: If you’re dealing specifically with post-bikini wax bumps, try the Fur Ingrown Concentrate. The oil-based formula helps soothe skin after hair removal, while helping to prevent ingrown hairs, and it’s suitable for delicate areas, like your upper lip and pubic area.