The Ultimate Guide to a Full Body Wax

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The arrival of beach season calls for a thorough spring-cleaning—and we’re not talking about your closet—but rather your skin. Smooth, perfectly groomed limbs are basically a requirement for the leg-baring shorts and spaghetti-strap bikinis. If you’re dreading the season’s first full body wax, don’t; after all, it only hurts the first time.

WHAT TO WAX

Gone are the days of skipping your waxing sessions—getting swimsuit-ready requires a meticulous grooming regimen, which includes your legs, arms, under-arms, midriff, bikini area, and the small of your back. If you’ve been hiding your blanket of fuzz under the security of loose sweaters and thick tights, the solution to taking on the painful transition into bare legs and exposed stomachs lies in a proper skin-prep ahead of your waxing appointment.

HOW TO PREP

Gently exfoliate your skin with a washcloth a day or two before your scheduled waxing appointment. A light exfoliation will remove dead skin cells without leaving skin overly sensitive. Avoid moisturizing your skin on the day of the wax. Those who have very sensitive skin can pop a painkiller such as Panadol or Advil an hour before their waxing session to reduce discomfort.

AT-HOME WAXING

Busy work days and looming deadlines can make it hard to fit a hair removal session into your packed week, but fortunately, waxing is a simple and low-cost procedure that can be done using various materials available on the market.

When choosing a wax, you can opt for cold wax strips or microwavable kits, like the ones highlighted in the gallery below. If you’re using a wax strip, make sure to warm it between your palms before applying it to the desired area. Then, pull the strip in the opposite direction of the hair growth, and dispose. Strip wax is ideal for legs, eyebrows, and arm hair.

If you opt for a microwavable wax, you must warm up the product until the consistency is runny. Using an applicator, apply your wax in the direction of the hair growth and give it 5 seconds to harden. Then, apply a linen or muslin strip (or just pull the wax directly) in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Hard wax is ideal for the bikini area and face.

WAX AFTER-CARE

There are a few dos and don’ts to follow after a hair removal session. It’s normal to experience some redness, tenderness, or itching post-wax, but that should disappear within a few hours. It is important to keep the area clean and bacteria-free, which means no sunbathing or swimming in a chlorinated pool for at least 24 hours; avoid fragrances or scented lotions for at least 12 hours; and do not touch the area to ensure that it stays clean and bacteria-free.

Now for the dos: those who experience discomfort should apply a post-wax lotion or gel to the area. Opt for a product with aloe vera oil or lavender essential oil for their soothing properties. To prevent ingrown hairs, make sure to exfoliate your skin twice a week; we recommend you do that 3-10 days after waxing.