While many people opt for at-home waxing kits, if you feel you’re not up to the task, visit a licensed professional to do the waxing for you. However, always rely on a pro to use hot wax on your face. “Consequences of bad outcomes from waxing on the face as compared to the body are much greater, such as burns and hyperpigmentation,” Dr. Adigun explains.
How should I prepare for using waxing strips?
While waxing strips are pretty straightforward, you can still take some steps to make the hair removal process go more smoothly. “The hair should be between an eighth- and a quarter-inch long,” aesthetician Hannah Naranjo previously told Allure. “Make sure your skin is clean,” she noted. Lotions, oils, and gels can make it harder for the wax to completely stick to your skin, making body hair removal less effective.
Naranjo urges users not to exfoliate within 48 hours after waxing, but after that, they should return to exfoliation as usual—in part to prepare for their next wax. Board-certified dermatologist Marie Hayag, MD, previously told Allure. “Exfoliating also helps skin look healthy and encourages hair to point up, growing in the correct direction,” she adds.
Meet the experts
- Craig Kraffert, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Redding, California
- Chris G. Adigun, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Hanna Naranjo, NYC-based aesthetician at Haven Spa
- Marie Hayag, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in NYC
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of waxing strips, we considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: product ingredients, efficacy, ease of use, and value. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from dermatologists and aestheiticians. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
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