Me and wax hair removal FAQs

Here are some of your frequently asked questions that relate to the process of waxing and whether it is right for you:

Waxing is an appropriate hair removal method for most people. However, for some it can cause infection and be very painful. If you use the following medications or have the following conditions then consult your doctor before you undertaking a wax treatment.

People with the following conditions may experience an increased chance of infection:

People on the following medications may experience torn skin when the wax is removed as these medications tend to weaken the skin:

It is fairly easy to perform waxing on yourself if you can get to the area that is to be treated and you can handle a certain amount of pain. Leg waxing should therefore be fairly simple to perform. Where people go wrong most often is not pulling the cloth off quickly enough and increasing the amount of pain. You will probably find it easier to use a cold (or sometimes knows as warm) wax solution to start with. It is always worthwhile doing a patch test before you start as the waxes contain chemicals that can react with the skin on your legs.

Preparing for the session. Have a hot bath or shower to clean your skin from any loose hairs, dirt and excess oils. The hot water will also open your pores which will help the removal of the hair. Most wax solutions require you to heat them up for a few seconds in a microwave so that the substance can be easily spread. Make sure that you don't heat the substance too much as it may burn your legs.

Because this process is likely to get messy you are best to get an old sheet and lay this under you. You should also get some clean old towels as the solution can be difficult to remove from certain materials.

Performing the session. Spread the wax sparingly over the area of the legs that is to be treated. Quickly press a cloth into the substance and immediately pull the cloth away in the opposite direction to the hair growth (typically your hairs grow top to toe). Make sure you pull the cloth quickly to minimise the discomfort. The faster and smoother you can do this the better the wax hair removal effects will be. You may need to go over the leg area again to catch any stray hairs. If the wax you have removed is still soft enough you can put the waxed cloth back on the skin and try again. During the treatment you may need to reheat the wax solution if it becomes too hard. A good idea is to sit the wax container in a pan of warm water to keep it soft.

After the session. Now you've got to tidy up. Wash your legs thoroughly to remove all the wax substance. Use the old towels to dry yourself as there may be bits of wax still on your legs or in crevices you haven't quite cleaned thoroughly.

Apply a good moisturising cream to your legs to help soothe your skin and heal it. It is likely that the skin will be reddened and there may be 1 or 2 small bloodspots. This is normal and they should go after a few hours. If you are waxing prior to going on holiday then do this a few days before you go. The waxing process also removes old skin cells and exposes new skin which will be slightly more sensitive to sunlight.