Bathing suit season may be coming to an end, but that doesn't mean you can slack off on your waxing routine down there. Trust me girl, the benefits that come with waxing consistently throughout the year are so worth it. Melanie Gilliland, brand ambassador for European Wax Center, talks about reasons to continue waxing throughout the colder months and tips on how to maintain it.
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Taking a break from waxing will make your hairs thicker.
“When you wax regularly and consistently, your hair grows back much finer and much sparser,” says Gilliland. “You’ll even notice hair not grow back in certain areas. But when you start shaving again, the hairs immediately grow back thicker with blunt ends because you’re reinforcing the hair roots."
There are consequences to growing out your hair again too.
“Waxing regularly is about cinching up with the growth cycles of the hair, but it’s also about having your hair at the ideal length,” says Gilliland. “If your hair is too long, it’s going to hurt [because] the hairs become stronger and deeper rooted. This is why Brazilian waxes get less painful the more often and consistently you do them.”
Exfoliate to maintain your wax.
“Our skin tends to dry out during the winter, developing a layer of dry, dead skin on top. When that builds up, it makes it harder for the hair to push through, which can result in ingrown hairs,” explains Gilliland. “To combat that dryness, you want to make sure you’re exfoliating every single day.”
Try a gentle body scrub, like Cheeky Strut Body Polish ($16) and apply to your skin using a circular motion.
You can also try a chemical exfoliator.
“Products infused with salicylic and glycolic acid also helps exfoliate skin,” says Gilliland. Try Bliss Ingrown Eliminating Pads ($38). It’s also made with green tea extract and oats to help calm and soothe skin.
Moisturize to fight ingrown hairs and bumps.
“Aside from waxing, you want to look for a product that’s going to not only keep skin nourished and deeply moisturized, but that’s also going to help combat pesky ingrown hairs,” says Gilliland. She recommends Smooth Me Ingrown Hair Serum ($28). Try applying every day after you shower.
Let your skin breath.
“Layering on clothes can play a role in whether or not you develop ingrown hairs, especially if you wear tight jeans or leggings, because it compresses your hair and doesn’t allow your skin to breath,” she says. “Try wearing looser pajamas at night. I’d even recommend going to sleep without underwear.”
Don’t pick or tweeze in between waxes.
If you find yourself tempted to pick at, squeeze, or tweeze deeply ingrown hairs–don’t! “Not only will it leave marks, but it actually damages the skin, leaving it callused and even harder for the hair to get out,” says Gilliland.
She adds, "If you continue waxing, exfoliating, and moisturizing it should eventually come out. But if it doesn’t, I’d recommend seeing your dermatologist and having them remove it. They can do it in a sterile and safe way that won’t infect or damage the skin.”
