Just as important as the waxing itself is making sure you take care of your wax afterward. Please, please follow the advice of your Therapist and refer back here for a guide of what (and what not!) to do…

So you’ve booked a wax. Here’s a couple of tips to lessen the pain (and increase the longevity of that hair free feeling).

• If you’re really worried about the pain, and haven’t had waxing before then take 1 or 2 paracetamol about 30-40 minutes before your appointment. This can help reduce the surface discomfort.
• Make sure your hair is long enough to remove completely from the roots – it should be at least 0.5 centimetres. If you’ve shaved the area within the last few weeks it might take a couple of waxes to get your hair into a cycle of growth that allows the most effective wax finish.

You’ve just invested time, money and a little discomfort in order to be hair free – so it makes sense to look after it. We don’t just make this stuff up for the sake of it! So, read on…

It’s normal immediately after your wax for a little bit of redness and a prickly heat type rash to appear. This should disappear after a few hours and is normally due to a histamine reaction. Because waxing removes the hair at the root, it’s important that you keep the area clean and bacteria free. This means:

• No sunbathing for at least 12 hours (have your waxing done at least the day BEFORE you go on holiday)
• No swimming in a chlorinated pool, saunas or spa baths for 24 hours
• Avoid applying any topical lotions for at least 12 hours (fragrances and other lubricants can cause a burning sensation)
• Also avoid touching the waxed area to ensure it remains bacteria free

As your skin hair follicles settle, the next consideration is to ensure you prevent ingrown hairs. This is when new, often softer hair can get trapped under the skin. A few simple measures can easily avoid this situation. Here’s where the “do’s” come in:

• Use a soft brush/exfoliating glove or body scrub (we recommend Pure Fiji’s Sugar Rub) to gently buff the area every 2-3 days – this is particularly important after about day 3 through to about the 10 day mark. It doesn’t need to be hard scrubbing, just a gentle exfoliation.
• Moisturise! Dry, dehydrated skin means dry dehydrated hair, which can lead to the hair snapping off, rather than being removed from the base of the hair follicle, during your waxing treatment. We recommend the Pure Fiji Body Lotion, or Body Butter.
• Use a product like PFB to roll over the area after showering. This product contains lactic acid which helps ensure dead skin cells are buffed away allowing your hair back through the follicle opening.

The added bonus of following the after care advice (apart from your skin looking hair free and smooth for longer), is that it really will make your next wax a whole lot quicker and less painful.

• Exfoliate prior to tanning to remove any dead skin cells and/or previous tan. We recommend using the Sunescape Tan Removal Mitt, Sunescape Exfoliating Body Polish or Pure Fiji Sugar Rub
• Do not wax or shave at least 24 hours prior to tanning

• Do not moisturise or wear deodorant or perfume prior to tanning. Tans work best on dry, unperfumed skin
•  Wear loose comfortable clothing (preferably black) to avoid rubbing the tan off and staining of clothes on the day of your tan. Wear slip on shoes if possible
• Do not shower, exercise vigorously, sweat or get wet for at least 2 hours after being tanned (you can leave the tan longer if you like)

• Avoid waxing after your tan. This will remove the tan
• Avoid the use of soaps and body washes that contain the ingredient Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS). We recommend the use of Sunescape’s Hydrating Shower Gel or Pure Fiji Shower Gel, which are both SLS free
• Avoid long hot showers/baths and prolonged swimming to lengthen your tan
• To maintain your tan, keep your skin hydrated by alternating between Sunescape’s Gradual Tan Extender and Hydrating Body Butter, or Pure Fiji Body Lotion.