6. MYTH: I have curly hair, that’s why I get ingrown hairs
Unfortunately, ingrown hairs affect every kind of hair type as well as skin type – if that’s any consolation to our curly haired gals? Ingrown hairs form when a hair cannot ‘escape’ through the follicle wall, and it often results in a pimple like bump that can feel painful and looks irritated. Fortunately in some instances, the hair will just find its way out naturally and fall out as its cycle comes to an end. If you find you have a bump that looks red and sore that may begin to fester, then our therapist’s advice is to gently exfoliate during a warm to hot bath or shower. If you find that this doesn’t lift the hair out, then brace yourself for the next step. Grab a couple of cotton buds, apply pressure either side of the bump as to extract the follicle and have a sterilised set of tweezers ready to pull out the ingrown hair. Try not to break the skin around the follicle however, and try to avoid temptation to pick at it continuously. If your ingrown hair persists and you’re worried because it’s resembling a cyst-like bump, we recommend that you consult your doctor.
7. MYTH: You Can’t Wax When You’re Pregnant
If you’re expecting, don’t worry, you can still be hairless! You’ll be pleased to know that it’s still safe to maintain your usual waxing routine. “It’s safe to wax at all stages of a woman’s pregnancy,” Danni says. “We recommend starting waxing in the early stages of a pregnancy so that by the time you’ve finished your first two trimesters, the hair will become finer and thinner, and fingers crossed your waxing will become more comfortable during your final trimester.”
8. MYTH: Waxing is bad for your skin.
Your skin might be sensitive, red or even a tad swollen immediately after a wax; but none of these effects are long-term. In fact, waxing is often seen as better for the skin than other hair removal methods. It essentially acts as an exfoliant, getting rid of the top layer of dead skin, and can also reduce the chances of ingrown hairs and irritation post-shaving. However, it’s still essential to listen to the aftercare advice of your therapist in the hours following your wax to ensure no problems develop.
Another myth that often gets thrown into the mix is that waxing causes skin to sag. The notion of pulling away at your skin does make it seem quite plausible that it could, over time, cause the skin to sag. However, a good therapist will know to hold your skin as taught as possible when removing the wax strip so there is a very little amount of actual skin movement. If your skin is being held taught, you’ll know that you’re in a good hands.