caring for hair, skin and nails as we age

Waxing is a great way to remove the unwanted hair from your body. Some of this hair may be on your face, and this is often caused by hormone changes, heredity, health issues, and medication use. If you are a woman with facial fair, then you may not be too excited about the red appearance of your skin once the waxing is over. If this is embarrassing to you, then you may want to schedule your waxing appointments farther apart from one another. If you do this, then you probably want to make your initial waxing treatment last a bit longer. Keep reading to learn how to do this.

Make Appointments When Hair Is Longer

The first step in making sure your facial waxing lasts a long time is to make arrangements for a wax when your hair is relatively long. While some hair removal professionals like to work on patients with hair as long as one-half inch, this is fairly long for facial hair. Wait for about one-quarter inch of growth instead. If you do not allow your hair to grow this long, then the wax may not grip and remove the hair. Also, hair may break off instead of releasing from the  skin. If multiple attempts are made to remove the hair, then the skin can become swollen. This can make it even harder to remove hair, and the waxing may not be as successful as it should be.

As you wait for the hair to grow, you should try to reduce its appearance. For instance, you can apply makeup to your upper lip. Just make sure to apply concealers and foundations in the same direction as the hair is growing. You also can also use bleach on the hair. If you use bleach, read the instructions on the packaging carefully, or you may burn your skin. 

Exfoliate Your Skin

When you make your appointment for your waxing treatment, you obviously should not shave beforehand. You also should not wear makeup or use a moisturizer the day of the treatment. However, you should exfoliate your skin thoroughly before you see your waxing specialist. When wax is applied, the wax grips onto the hair and the skin. As the strip is pulled up and away from the face, the hair and skin comes away. 

If your face is covered in dry, cracked, and loose skin, then the wax will grip onto much more of your skin than hair. This can cause hair breakages and poor results. To combat this issue, make sure to exfoliate thoroughly beforehand. Do this about two to three days before your scheduled appointment. 

You can exfoliate in several different ways. You can purchase an exfoliation compound from your local pharmacy or supermarket. You can also make your own at home with a bit of baking soda and water. Sugar and honey masks as well as cornmeal and coconut oil exfoliants are also good options. You can even use some of your used coffee grounds to scrub your face. 

If you want to use a scrub, either homemade or purchased, then apply a hot washcloth to the face first to help loosen dead skin. Apply the scrub to the face and gently work it in. You should do this for about five minutes. Rinse with warm water afterwards.

If you do not want to use a scrub, then you can purchase an exfoliating brush instead. Electronic brushes with bristles or pads work well to remove loose skin. Exfoliating loofahs work well on the face as well. Use a facial cream cleanser with exfoliating brushes and sponges so you do not scratch the skin on your face.

For more information on facial waxing, contact a salon like Smile Skin Care Salon.