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Original poster

Think I've had a shitty wax

33 replies

vacay · 04/05/2024 16:43

Going on holiday in a few days. Thought I'd treat (ha) myself to a bikini wax, I'm not very happy.
I've had it done twice before, both times with hard wax no strips, this was years ago but from what I remember I was happy, very smooth and no irritation. This time straight away I wasn't so sure, she used strips, I said I thought hard wax was better, she said it's more painful. Okay so I went with it, she said I'm not very hairy (couple of weeks growth and I have quite fine hair anyway) so she said she will do a full wax for the same price as just the bikini line.
It fucking killed, even more than I remember. I had a baby 11 weeks ago, could be hormones still? Don't know. But I'm not happy with the results, 99% of it still has roots, so no smoothness, more like stubble, I think I've had been better off just shaving to be honest !!
Also it's still really irritated, lots of tiny red rashy spots, will this go down ??

OP posts:
DirtyKit · 04/05/2024 16:44

When did you have the wax and how short are the remaining hairs?

Original poster
vacay · 04/05/2024 16:50

DirtyKit · 04/05/2024 16:44

When did you have the wax and how short are the remaining hairs?

Like stubble, there's no smoothness there. And I had it at 12 today

OP posts:
Original poster
vacay · 04/05/2024 16:50

The hairs haven't been pulled from the root basically, I'm so pissed off about it as I could've done a better job with a razor but I didn't want to have to shave, hence getting a wax instead

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 04/05/2024 16:53

You say you had a couple of weeks growth. It is possible that you have some shorter hairs that weren’t long enough to be waxed yet.

Had you shaved two weeks ago?

Original poster
vacay · 04/05/2024 16:54

DobbyTheHouseElk · 04/05/2024 16:53

You say you had a couple of weeks growth. It is possible that you have some shorter hairs that weren’t long enough to be waxed yet.

Had you shaved two weeks ago?

No I only shaved the bikini line a couple of weeks ago, the middle bit was about 3 weeks or so

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 04/05/2024 16:57

Sorry I think I was confused, I’ve re read your post. I thought you had a full leg and bikini wax. So it was an intimate wax? Is that what you had?

The red rash, is totally normal. That is the inflammation in the hair follicle. That can last up to 48 hrs. Don’t have a hot bath or shower, swim, or hot tub.

Have you got some savlon or antiseptic cream you can apply. Did she talk about after wax care?

LutonBeds · 04/05/2024 16:59

Hot wax is always better. Strips are painful and don’t grab as well. If I go somewhere different than my normal salon, I refuse to let them do it if they use strips. I do try and check but it’s not always that obvious.

Some salons prefer strips because it’s cheaper than hot wax. In future always check they use a brand like Waxperts (my fave!).

DobbyTheHouseElk · 04/05/2024 17:00

As for the stubble. It depends on the length of the hair. It could be that it was too short to wax. Or it could be the technique was incorrect.

Is this person an intimate wax specialist? Seems unlikely if they removed the wax with a wax strip.

wompwomp · 04/05/2024 17:10

Are you sure it's stubble as in actual short hairs or might it be inflamed follicles. The latter will calm down in a day or so

LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 04/05/2024 17:14

You haven't long had a baby, could that be it? Depending on where you are period-wise can also really affect your levels - and particularly as you've changed the type of waxing you have.

I know that when I have waxing I'm still at the mercy of hormones even though I don't have periods now. My body seems to remember to make it painful if I go when I would have been in my cycle.

Original poster
vacay · 04/05/2024 18:04

I've had a lukewarm shower, basically cold, I got out absolutely freezing ! I know you're meant to wait 12 hours or something but I so needed it.
I've let the water just run over it, not used any wash down there and patted when drying, I hope this won't cause anymore irritation!!

I'm coming up to my fertile window so thought I'd be safe in this part pain wise !

And no the hairs left over are definitely half ripped out ones...

OP posts:
Original poster
vacay · 04/05/2024 18:05

I doubt she was a specialist to be honest , didn't seem that kind of place !! My own fault, couldn't get in anywhere else, thought well it looks busy enough

OP posts:
DobbyTheHouseElk · 04/05/2024 18:13

If the skin wasn’t stretched enough they will snap off. They sort of lift out of the follicle, snap and ping back. They will now be susceptible to ingrowing, as the hair has been stretched and snapped.

It’s always really important to check if the therapist is qualified, insured and has been working to a high standard for a while. (ie more than 3 years) I appreciate it’s not always possible, but I never mind anyone asking me.

DirtyKit · 04/05/2024 18:24

what do you mean by “half ripped out” hairs? Have they snapped?

when you say wax strips do you mean the paper/ material strips with wax pre-applied to them? They get smoothed onto your skin and then pulled off. If so, just no. They’re not good.

the redness and bumps will go down - I find bio oil good for using straight after hair removal.

I think you have to wait until tomorrow and see how it looks. You might need to tweeze out some of the remaining hairs but hopefully you can neaten it up.

Original poster
vacay · 04/05/2024 18:25

DobbyTheHouseElk · 04/05/2024 18:13

If the skin wasn’t stretched enough they will snap off. They sort of lift out of the follicle, snap and ping back. They will now be susceptible to ingrowing, as the hair has been stretched and snapped.

It’s always really important to check if the therapist is qualified, insured and has been working to a high standard for a while. (ie more than 3 years) I appreciate it’s not always possible, but I never mind anyone asking me.

Oh shit 😫😂 what can I do to help prevent ingrowing hairs ??

OP posts:
Original poster
vacay · 04/05/2024 18:26

DirtyKit · 04/05/2024 18:24

what do you mean by “half ripped out” hairs? Have they snapped?

when you say wax strips do you mean the paper/ material strips with wax pre-applied to them? They get smoothed onto your skin and then pulled off. If so, just no. They’re not good.

the redness and bumps will go down - I find bio oil good for using straight after hair removal.

I think you have to wait until tomorrow and see how it looks. You might need to tweeze out some of the remaining hairs but hopefully you can neaten it up.

Yeah like half come out, hard to explain but I guess snapped is the right word !!

And it was hot wax but with strips rather than the wax going hard and then pulling that off

OP posts:
LyingWitchInTheWardrobe · 04/05/2024 19:00

vacay best advice is to use a scrub in the shower, it will slough off any loose skin cells and hopefully 'free up' any hair follicles looking to embed. That's what I was told.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 04/05/2024 19:13

Yes exfoliate, but NOT NOW!!!!!!

wait 4 days. At least.

bryceQ · 04/05/2024 19:17

Ahh that's so rubbish sounds like she was very unknowledgeable . Hot wax is much much better. Eurgh so annoying for you.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 04/05/2024 19:19

Hot wax, hard wax etc.

Basically you have two types of wax.

One is very sticky and applied with a wooden spatula, removes by putting a paper or fabric rectangle on top and pulling off. This is perfectly ok method, but for legs.

The other wax is one that isn’t as sticky, goes on thicker and pulls off with itself. It wraps around the hairs. Ideal for face, underarm and bikini.

QueenOfWeeds · 04/05/2024 19:21

I have no advice except to say hats off to you for having a bikini wax 11 weeks postpartum.

It’s so hard when you have to go to a new salon.

EarringsandLipstick · 04/05/2024 19:23

OP, you've clearly had a poor waxing experience & I would complain.

But about this:

One is very sticky and applied with a wooden spatula, removes by putting a paper or fabric rectangle on top and pulling off. This is perfectly ok method, but for legs.

This can be absolutely fine for bikini line waxing too - I have an extended bikini wax, all off bar a strip & sometimes beeswax (the hard wax) is used, but strip wax is also used & it's fine.

It's the technique of the therapist that's key.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 04/05/2024 19:28

QueenOfWeeds · 04/05/2024 19:21

I have no advice except to say hats off to you for having a bikini wax 11 weeks postpartum.

It’s so hard when you have to go to a new salon.

I'm a bit agog at the mention of being in the fertile stage and getting waxed as though it's the intention to go for number #2 already - at 11 weeks, I'd have been looking for using wax to keep everything securely sealed up!

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 04/05/2024 19:28

As long as the skin isn't broken, you can put a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream on the red areas - should settle them quickly.

Definitely don't exfoliate immediately - that will make the skin irritation worse.

Use a moisturiser (preferably unscented) to wash, instead of soap, for a few days. Pat dry gently.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 04/05/2024 19:28

NeverDropYourMooncup · 04/05/2024 19:28

I'm a bit agog at the mention of being in the fertile stage and getting waxed as though it's the intention to go for number #2 already - at 11 weeks, I'd have been looking for using wax to keep everything securely sealed up!

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