With the launch of our new Ingrown Deodorant, we’ve had underarm care on the brain lately here at Fur HQ, and more specifically, the grooming routines that surround it. A lot has been said about bikini waxing and Brazilians, but what’s less talked about is the underarm wax. That’s why we sat down with Katie Austen W., an esthetician and lead Cerologist at Waxing The City, and asked her everything you’ve ever wanted to know about underarm waxing and underarm care.
For first timers, is there anything they should know before getting their underarms waxed? How should we prep beforehand?
For first timers, I would recommend not having too much caffeine before your appointment as this could exacerbate any discomfort or anxiety you could experience during your first appointment. To prep, I would recommend exfoliating with Fur’s Silk Scrub three days prior to allow the skin to settle before waxing, since waxing is a form of exfoliation.
What are the benefits to waxing underarms?
If you, like me, have thicker, stronger or stubborn hair, waxing consistently can help minimize regrowth since waxing (proper small strip waxing) can pull up the root of each hair follicle and create enough damage to stop hair growth over time.
Can you use deodorant immediately after waxing their underarms? Are there any common ingredients in deodorants that we should avoid?
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!
For those of us who struggle with underarm discoloration, does waxing affect that negatively or positively? Can discoloration come from shaving more than waxing?
Waxing can definitely help decrease discoloration since it is a form of exfoliation, and every type of exfoliation helps increase the skin’s natural cellular turnover rate that helps send newer, fresher cells to the surface. Shaving usually creates more ingrowns due to skin irritation, using a dull blade, and general user error...which in turn can create post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
What’s the best way to prevent ingrowns after an underarm wax?
Soothe with Ingrown Deodorant, and go into prevention mode by trying to keep the area as dry as possible to decrease any chance of bacteria buildup. And of course, exfoliate two days after your wax and every few days after that.
How often should you be exfoliating you underarms after a wax?
This truly depends on your skin type and skin condition. For example, I have combination skin that is also sensitive, so I have to be careful as my skin can become over-processed quickly. I use Silk Scrub just once a week and usually leave it in for five minutes. If you have normal to oily skin, your skin could take exfoliation up to three times a week.
How long can you expect your wax to last? Is there a way to make the results last longer?
This is dependent upon the hair growth phase their hair is in. If they come in when they are in their anagen or growth phase, then they should enjoy up to 2.5 to 3 weeks of little to no hair regrowth. If it’s in any other phase, you could enjoy smoothness for 1 to 1.5 weeks. Ask your esthetician what phase you’re in, and if they don’t know, ask to see the wax strip. If you see a thick, white coating on the ends of the hair, you’re in luck! That’s the growth phase you want. If you see little black bulbs, or nothing, you can adjust your next appointment to try to catch it at a better time.
What’s one thing everyone should be incorporating into their underarm routine?
Get waxed by a an experienced esthetician—and use Ingrown Deodorant!