Should I wax my armpits before or after a shower?

Author: Alden Parisian  |  Last update: Saturday, July 19, 2025

If you plan to arrive at your appointment in squeaky clean condition, we recommend taking a bath before wax at least two hours prior. This will give your skin enough time to dry and return to its usual body temperature. Always opt for lukewarm water. Too hot water can compromise your skin during the wax.

Is it better to shower before or after waxing?

Yes, you can shower after waxing, but it's best to wait at least 24 hours before doing so. Showering immediately after waxing may irritate your skin, especially if you use hot water or apply any products like soaps, lotions, or scrubs that might cause sensitivity.

Is it okay to shower after waxing armpit?

NO hot shower or bath for at least 12 hours.

Directly after waxing your hair follicle is left open. This makes it susceptible hot water entering the open hair follicle during a shower or bath. This will irritate the area and create discomfort. Once your follicles close you can return to your normal bathing routine.

When should you not wax your armpits?

Avoid waxing if your underarms have a sunburn, rash, recent scar tissue, pimples, or other irritation. Always remember to do a patch test on a small area 24 hours before waxing.

Does waxing hurt less after a shower?

Get steamy. Take a hot shower or bath about 20 minutes before your wax to reduce the pain. The steam in the shower naturally opens the pores and softens the hair making the waxing process easier and more pain-free.

DON'T do these things after waxing

What is the least painful waxing method?

Strip wax is generally more painful than cold wax, as it pulls the hair out by the root. On the other hand, cold waxing is a bit more gentle on the skin as it only removes the hair, not the root. If you are looking for a less painful waxing experience, cold wax is definitely the way to go.

Can I put deodorant after waxing?

After a wax, it's best to not apply [traditional antiperspirant] for 24 hours, as you could possibly give yourself a chemical burn or rash. Regular deodorants have baking soda or aluminum that can cause irritation. I would substitute your usual with Fur's Ingrown Deodorant, because it's free of those ingredients!

Do your armpits smell more when you wax?

Yes, waxing your underarms can indeed help in reducing body odor. The underarm hair can trap sweat and bacteria, which are the primary causes of body odor. When you wax, you remove the hair at the root, eliminating this trap for sweat and bacteria, which can, in turn, reduce the amount of body odor.

How do you prepare your armpits for waxing?

For the best results, allow your underarm hair to grow to a length of about 1/4 inch or roughly the length of a grain of rice. This ensures that the wax can grip the hair properly and remove it from the root. Avoid trimming or shaving your underarm hair for at least two to three weeks before your waxing appointment.

Does waxing darken underarms?

Perhaps the most common reason for darkened armpits, shaving too harshly or without the use of lubricant may cause small, low-grade cuts that inflame the skin on your underarms. Similarly, the aggressive pulling of hairs via waxing also irritates the armpits, leading to hyperpigmentation over time.

What not to do after waxing armpits?

Underarm Waxing Aftercare
  1. Avoid hot showers, bath, saunas or swimming for the first 24 hours.
  2. Avoid sun exposure.
  3. Do not engage in any strenuous activity or exercise which involves excessive sweating.
  4. Avoid deodorant or products for the first 24 hours that may clog your pores.

Why am I getting so many ingrown hairs after waxing?

Removing hair by shaving, waxing or tweezing can cause ingrown hairs. New hairs grow from hair follicles under your skin. Shaving, waxing and tweezing only remove hair strands — they don't remove hair follicles. When new hair grows, it may curl back and enter your skin.

How long does it take for pores to close after waxing?

Now, while your pores don't technically open or close, they are left somewhat expanded for the first 24 hours after waxing, making them more vulnerable to ingrown hairs (ouch) and breakouts (no thank you).

Should I shower before or after shaving?

Shaving after showering

This is because the hot shower water cleanses your skin: the steam opens up your pores, flushing out the dirt that has accumulated since your last shower, and causes your hair follicles to soften - making it easier for you to enjoy a closer, more comfortable shave, with fewer passes.

What should you not do after waxing?

DON'TS: THE FIRST 24 HOURS AFTER YOUR WAX:
  • Avoid bathing or (too) hot showers.
  • Avoid direct sunlight or sunbathing (or artificial tanning).
  • Avoid saunas or steam baths.
  • Don't swim.
  • Don't wear tight or non-breathing clothes to avoid infection: waxed skin needs air.
  • Avoid perfumed products on the waxed skin.

Is waxing better than shaving?

shaving, waxing wins the battle for the longer-lasting hair removal method. While your hair will start to grow back just a few days after shaving, waxing lasts several weeks before you're ready to head back for another appointment. And your hair will be less noticeable than it was before you started waxing.

Should I shower before armpit wax?

Take your shower a couple of hours or at least half an hour before the waxing appointment. This will give your skin time to dry completely and help your body temperature to get normalized. A simple shower will also help open your pores and soften the skin. Water at a lukewarm temperature or at room temperature will do.

When should a girl start waxing her armpits?

Some experts believe that girls should wait until they are at least 16 years old before starting waxing, while others believe that girls can start waxing as early as 13 years old. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to wax is a personal one that should be made by the girl and her parents.

Is it better to shave or wax armpits?

In conclusion, both waxing and shaving have their merits when it comes to underarm hair removal. However, waxing offers distinct advantages – from long-lasting smoothness to improved skin health.

Why does only my left armpit smell?

The composition of the skin microbiota varies from one individual to another, and between locations on the same host; sometimes, even the left armpit can have a vastly different flora compared to the right. However, the major bacterial players that colonize the skin and produce body odor are similar.

Does not shaving down there make you smell?

Does shaving pubic hair reduce odor? Grow it long or cut it off — it's completely your choice whether to shave your pubic hair — but shaving isn't proven to reduce vulval smells. “Removing pubic hair can increase the risk of sweating, which can lead to odor from the sweat glands,” explains Dr. White.

How often should I wax my armpits?

"It's best to wax your underarms every two weeks, as it's obvious when there's regrowth," Coba says. "You'll get the best results if you stay on a consistent schedule." "I always recommend using hard wax on the underarms since that's a very sensitive area," warns Babian.

How many hours after waxing can I shower?

Always wait two hours post-wax before taking a shower. Use lukewarm water. Don't exfoliate after waxing. Your skin will be hypersensitive for the first 48 hours.

Why is waxing not allowed during menstruation?

Keep in mind, your body is more sensitive during your period, so any kind of waxing might be a little bit more painful (but still totally manageable.)

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