Common waxing mistakes, and how to fix them.
The big four: shaving between appointments, getting the hair length wrong, never exfoliating, and putting product on the skin right before. Each one is easy to fix — and fixing them is the difference between patchy, ingrown-prone skin and a clean result that lasts three to six weeks.
In short
- Shaving between waxes resets the growth cycle — commit to waxing only for finer regrowth.
- Wrong hair length is the top cause of a poor wax. Aim for about ¼ inch.
- Skipping exfoliation is why ingrowns happen — exfoliate between visits, not on the day.
- Oil, lotion or deodorant on the day stops wax gripping. Arrive clean and bare.
- Leaving it too long loses the synced cycle — rebook every 3–5 weeks.
Mistake 1: shaving between waxes
This is the one that quietly sabotages everything else.
Shaving cuts hair at the surface and restarts the growth clock for that hair, while waxing removes it from the root. Do both and your hairs end up on different cycles, so any given wax can only catch the ones that happen to be ready — which feels like a patchy, disappointing result. The fix: commit to waxing only for a few weeks. The reward is every hair arriving on one cycle and regrowth that comes back finer over time.
Mistake 2: the wrong hair length
Too short and the wax skids over the top without gripping; too long and it's messier and more uncomfortable than it needs to be. The fix: aim for about a quarter of an inch (5mm) — two to three weeks of growth. If it's a little long, we trim it on the day; if it's too short, it's worth rescheduling rather than wasting the appointment.
Mistake 3: never exfoliating (hello, ingrowns)
Ingrown hairs happen when dead skin traps a new hair below the surface. The fix: exfoliate gently two to three times a week between appointments — a mitt, a soft scrub or a chemical exfoliant — and keep the skin moisturised. Just don't exfoliate on the day of your wax. Regular waxing also reduces ingrowns over time, because regrowth gets finer and weaker.
Mistake 4: product on the skin on the day
Moisturiser, body oil, fake tan and deodorant all leave a film that stops wax bonding to the hair, so it pulls unevenly. The fix: shower beforehand and arrive with clean, dry, bare skin. Save the moisturiser for tomorrow — today the wax needs nothing between it and the hair.
Mistake 5: leaving it too long between visits
Wait too long and your hairs drift off their synced cycle, regrowth gets coarse, and the next wax is more uncomfortable than it should be. The fix: rebook every three to five weeks. A steady rhythm makes each wax quicker, cleaner and more comfortable — and a course of six (price of five, never expiring) keeps you on track. And right after any wax: skip the gym, sauna, hot baths and tight clothing for 24 hours to avoid bumps.
Common questions.
Why isn't my wax removing the hair?
How do I stop getting ingrown hairs after waxing?
How often should I get waxed?
Can I exfoliate on the day of my wax?
Why do I break out after waxing?
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Lycon hot and strip waxing done properly, with aftercare advice that actually prevents ingrowns. One minute from Aldgate Underground.
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