Waxing 101
These are things that you should know before getting wax as well as pre & post care at Elements7.
FYI… Dry, dehydrated skin does not wax well. You should apply lotion every day the week before your
appointment and continue after you’ve waxed. Pay special attention to your thigh creases because this is
the most prone place for tearing & lifting. I believe you should be proactive when trying to avoid ingrown
hairs, tearing, lifting, etc. So I recommend and retail at the spa KBShimmer sugar scrubs & lotions, SeBrazil Bye-Bump Ingrown Hair Treatment & Plumb smooth Plumb Genius & Gelee.
What is the difference between soft and hard wax?
The hair on your body can range from thin to coarse depending on location and your ethnicity. So no one
type of wax or sugar can remove all hair types. Also your hair grows in different directions so by choosing
the correct product it will make your experience less painful and hairless-ness.
Soft wax you apply with hair growth and remove with pellon against growth. Hard wax looks like warm
taffy and can be applied in either direction of hair growth. It shrink wraps around the hair follicle, does not
stick to the skin, works in moist areas and has a better chance of picking up hair that is growing in a
different direction. Hard wax dries forming a soft shell & is removed in one solid piece.
Who are my clients?
My clientele consists of some the nicest people you will ever meet, who are; attorneys, doctors, nurses,
engineers, stay at home moms, teachers, etc. Their age ranges from 18 all the way into their 80s. Clients
come from as far as Shorewood, Fond du Lac, Madison, and Kenosha, to get wax at Elements7! May
sound extreme to travel so far to get wax but when you hear every day about horrible, painful Brazilian
waxing experiences you understand why someone would travel 2 hours every 6 weeks for a safe,
sanitary, experience!
I’ve been shaving, how long do I have to wait?
I recommend having at least 4 weeks outgrowth for body waxing, specially first timers. After that we will
discuss how fast your hair grows, what you can handle for outgrowth, etc. and create your waxing
schedule. The key to waxing is really MAINTENANCE!! To have pain-free, long lasting hairless-ness you
have to maintain a schedule because your hair grows in 3 phases and with maintenance we can remove
it all at once. This avoids outgrowth appearing sooner as well as less hair to remove making it hurt less.
How old do I have to be to get waxed?
Spa rule is: 18 or older for any waxing below the neck.12 with an adult present for above the neck
waxing.
Does waxing hurt?
Waxing 101
Yes, but the hairless-ness and smoothness you’ll experience will be worth it. There are products,
techniques and positions to make it as pain-free as possible.
Pain-free Tips:
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Take an Advil or ibuprofen 45 min. before your appt to help relieve pain, redness and swelling.
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Apply Plum Smooth – Plumb Numb gelee 30 min. before appt to numb up the area, retailed at
Spa.
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In case you forget, Elements7 offers a quick setting numbing spray that you can apply before wax
in the treatment room, for below the neck services.
(always consult with your physician if you have any questions, concerns or contradicted medication or diseases)
Is my skin going to be red, now that I’ve waxed?
Possibly, especially first timers usually do, the lighter the skin tone, hair & eye color the more prone you
are. If you do the pre-waxing care it helps prevent this. Good news is the redness should subside within
2-48 hours. If this occurs, Elements7 recommends using a Neosporin or Hydrocortisone (both can be
purchased over the counter at a store like Walgreens or Target) for the first 24 hrs to help reduce
redness, swelling and moisten the area. It also helps heal and creates a friction barrier from clothes
rubbing.
How often should I wax?
Typically bikini and body waxing should be done every 4-6 weeks, and facial waxing done every 3-4
weeks. However everyone’s growth cycle is different and some people prefer to come in earlier because
they cannot handle the outgrowth. You can come in earlier but I always warn that we may not get all the
hair due to its length and cycle phase so stumble may come in earlier.
I have an STD/STI (sexually transmitted disease or infection), can I still wax?
No.
I’m on my Period, can I still wax?
No, during this time your body tends to be more sensitive, making the waxing more painful. Elements7
recommends that you do not get wax a couple of days before and after your period due to the fact you
are more pain sensitive.
If you arrive for your appt. and have your period. YOU will be charged the full session rate, and asked
to reschedule.
I am coming after work and I won’t have time to stop at home & take a shower?
If you’ve gone to the bathroom, had sex, went to the gym, or were sweating at any point before your
Waxing 101
appt. WASH the area getting waxed. Not doing so can lead to gross infection, because your skin is not
clean allowing bacteria to get into your freshly open pores. Plus I prefer not to smell bad things.
Side note: From professional waxing experience the number one reason why people suffer from ingrown
hairs in the bikini area is because they don’t properly wash the area after going to the gym/sweating.
There is no faster way to start having issues downstairs then running around all day in your sweaty
workout clothes. You have to realize that you just took away your body’s naturally wicking away system
for moisture and bacteria when you remove your pubic hair. That means you can be more prone to
ingrowns and yes yeast infections!
On the bright side, if you can’t shower right before your session I do offer freshening wipes in the
treatment room.
It hasn’t been a minimum two weeks since I last shaved, tweezed, waxed or Nair’d?
Then you need to wait and re-schedule after you’ve reached the min. two week. If you come for an
appointment before the two week out growth phase is complete, you will be charged a $10 fee and asked
to reschedule.
Two weeks of hair growth is my requirement for everyone NO EXCEPTIONS. Don’t worry about
trimming; I will take care of it for you. I would rather trim and know it’s the proper length and avoid you
cutting yourself.
The reason? Your hair grows in 3 different phases; with maintenance appts our goal is to remove all your
hair at once so you have longer lasting hairless-ness. If you don’t keep a regular waxing schedule or do
tweezing, shaving, etc. between appts then I will never get you as hair free as you would like.
Everyone’s hair grows roughly 0.5 inches per month, so it will take you 1/2 a month to reach the minimum
length of 1/4 of an inch. I doubt you will take a ruler to measure so here are some guidelines: length of a
piece of rice, lays flat on the skin or run the side of your index finger lightly against the growth of the hair,
if it covers the index long enough.
Interesting tid bit: Skin that’s dehydrated gives the illusion that hair is growing at an alarming rate, but this
is not the case.
I’m Pregnant, can I still wax?
Congratulations and yes you can... As long as you don’t have any have any of the contraindications listed
below. I always recommend you ask your OB and get their thoughts, better safe than sorry. Some
pregnant women are more prone to swelling, tearing, lifting because the skin is more dehydrated down
there as well as more blood flowing makes you more sensitive to pain. So follow pre wax care and I
always recommend starting off with a bikini wax and going in from there. I would rather have you “cleaned
up” vs. having a negative waxing experience.
Waxing 101
I have dry skin, can I wax?
Yes, but you will want to discontinue using any products that are overly drying, or that over exfoliate your
skin at least a week before your appt. Not doing so may cause burning, tearing, lifting or even scabbing. If
you are using a prescription drug like these you must stop use before waxing: Accutane (6 months prior),
Retinoids/Retina-A or Differin (3 months prior). Remember, dry dehydrated skin does not wax well, so
apply lotion every day a week prior to appt.
FYI: Elements7 would be more than happy to perform a patch test before to see how your skin
reacts.
If you have been getting chemical peels, I ask that you wait to get wax until after your series, or 3 weeks
post or pre next peel. As always ask the service provider doing the chemical peel for their opinion on
when you should get wax. It is always better to side on caution.
I tan?
If it has been less than 48 hours, you will need to wait to schedule your session with Elements7. Tanning
dries out the skin as well as makes it more sensitive which can result in lifting, tearing, etc. It is
recommended that you get wax 3 days prior to your last tanning session before a big event/vacation.
So can I have sex, now that I’m waxed?
Elements7 does not recommend sex for at least 24 hours after waxing. I don’t want you to cross
contaminate the area as well irritate skin due to friction.
Can I work out after my wax?
No, you should wait at least 24 hours and wash your skin immediately after you are done with your
workout. Not doing so can result in ingrown hairs and breakouts.
What can I do, now that I’m waxed?
You can carry on life as usual. Just avoid the following for at least 8- 24 hours depending on what you
had wax. No HOT showers. No Heavy Moisturizes/Creams. No Antiperspirants/Fragrances. No
Working Out. No Makeup (for those that wax your face). No Sex. No Tanning.
Do NOT come in if you have any of the following before consulting your physician:
Botox treatments within 72 hours of waxing
Retin-a
Accutane
Alpha hydroxy
Tetracycline
Diabetes
Phlebitis
Swelling
Distended capillaries
Moles
Open wound/healing tissue
Sunburn
Waxing 101
Menstrual cycle
Skin rashes
Scabs
Raised varicose veins
Recent scar tissue
Herpes simplex 1 (cold sores)
Cancer (without a Dr. consent)
Hemophilla
Hepatitis
HIV positive
These are just a few of the products and conditions that I’m aware of. If ever in doubt do not wax and
consult with your doctor.
I am not psychic!
I cannot predict how your skin will react to waxing, therefore for special occasions I recommend a test
wax two to four weeks prior to the event. If there is no major reaction then you can come in to be waxed
at least a week before your special day.