From its inception, the hair removal and waxing industry has continually evolved to be not only more effective but less complicated or painful. After all, the waxing industry has gone from being regarded as one of the most painful hair removal practices that were dreaded by many (pain is beauty, right?), to now having near-painless options that provide long-lasting results.  

Not only that, there are wax care practices that have developed alongside the evolution of hair removal formulas to improve the experience of both the waxer and the client getting serviced alike. The most appreciated and useful addition to the waxing process is the use of pre and post-wax products.

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Many clients know and are familiar with the questions that estheticians ask them when they come into the salon, and the instructions they receive afterward. 

Though not all might realize why estheticians ask these questions, it’s to help you receive the best service and to help them provide it to you. After all, when a customer comes in for their appointment without proper after-wax care following their last visit, it can result in subpar results, increased pain, and extra work for the esthetician. 

 READ: Best Esthetician Services to Offer Clients

Why is Pre & Post-Wax Care Important? 

What clients do before and after waxing has a significant impact on their overall experience. Pre and post-wax care doesn’t take a ton of effort but does yield results that are very valuable for both the client and waxer. It’s these little details that can make the difference between smooth, even skin or an unpleasant waxing service. It is crucial to follow best practices for pre-waxing and post-waxing to get the best results. 

The important thing to remember is that waxing the skin should never start or end with the wax. 

It’s for this reason that we’re providing you with the knowledge your clients will need regarding what pre and post-waxing are, the best pre and post-wax tips, and educational points that will set their skin up for the best service possible. That way, they can enjoy smooth, even hair removal with decreased pain and increased efficiency. 

READ: Exfoliating and Waxing: The Definitive Guide

What to Do Before Waxing?

Having the right pre-waxing routine will not only cleanse and exfoliate your skin but will allow your clients to have a more pleasant and seamless waxing service. So what does it mean to have a pre-wax routine, and how do you know you’re following the right steps? 

What is Pre-Waxing? 

Pre-waxing is the process of prepping the skin to be serviced. This includes using pre-wax care products to cleanse and get the skin ready for waxing.

Pro Tip: Exfoliate 24-48 Hours Before Waxing.

Around 24 to 48 hours before waxing, gently exfoliate with a gentle brush or scrub to remove dead skin cells that encompass hair follicles.

Use caution when exfoliating. Scrubbing too hard can cause skin irritation, which could harm the skin further when waxed.

Exfoliating also helps loosen any ingrown hairs and ultimately enhances your waxing results.

READ: Working with Different Skin Types

How to Prep Skin for Waxing

• Cleanse the Skin: Begin your waxing session with freshly washed skin for optimal results. Use soap to scrub and remove any sweat, oil, dirt, or makeup. Then, use pre-waxing care products to remove any other residue before waxing. 

• Dry the Skin: Wax doesn’t adhere properly to wet skin and hair. Dry the area to be waxed with a clean towel or cloth.

• Trim Longer Hairs: The ideal length for hair to be waxed is ¼-inch as recommended by The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) . Hair shorter than 1/4-inch long , won’t allow the wax to adhere properly to its surface and may not pull out entirely. Hair that is longer than this should be trimmed to avoid a more painful experience. Trim the hair using a clean electric trimmer or safety scissors.

READ: Brazilian Wax Etiquette: Embarrassing Questions Answered 

Benefits of Pre-Waxing Care

There are numerous pre-wax products available today which make sure that clients have a less painful and more efficient waxing treatment. 

The most basic use of pre-wax care is to cleanse the skin of oils, bacteria, sweat, and dust. It’s important not to skip this step, as it might prevent thorough hair removal due to previous oils and creams applied or infections, rashes, and more. It's recommended to use pre-wax products regardless of the type of waxing treatment.

From there, you’ll receive your waxing service, and will progress onto the post-wax care process.

READ: The Complete Guide to Leg Waxing 

What to Do After Waxing?

After waxing, you’ll begin the post-wax care process to keep skin smooth and clear and to keep results lasting as long as possible. But what is post-waxing? Post-wax care refers to the process occurring directly after waxing, where the skin is soothed, moisturized, and freed of any residual wax. 

As an esthetician, you’ll want to use products that remove leftover wax residue, calm the skin, and prevent irritation. This will allow your client to have smoother skin for a longer period of time. 

 READ: Post-Wax Care: Tips & Best Practices

Benefits of Post-Wax Care

Waxing can get a little messy if you’re not careful. No matter how precise you are, you’re probably going to have to do a bit of cleaning to clear the skin of residue. Post-wax oil is a great way to get rid of the sticky leftovers from the skin to leave it shiny and smooth. 

Another benefit to the use of post-waxing products is that they aid clients in managing and soothing post-waxing skin sensitivity. 

Not everyone has a high pain tolerance when it comes to waxing. Even with gentle wax options, some people avoid waxing services because of their skin’s sensitivity or a previous negative experience. 

Redness, puffed-up skin, blotches, and rashes are some of the effects people notice after a bad waxing service. 

Check out the video below to learn more about proper after-wax care:

READ: How to Use Hard Wax Like a Pro: The Complete Guide  

Best Pre and Post-Wax Products

Having the right pre and post-wax products in your salon and at your fingertips will let you keep clients’ skin looking and feeling its best. It will also allow you to show them the proper steps they’ll need to follow to keep their results for longer and to prevent ingrowns, breakouts, or uneven skin tone.

Pre-Wax:

• Original Pre-Wax Gel: Use Starpil Pre-Wax Gel before waxing to cleanse and remove excess oil, sweat, and environmental debris. Our Calendula and Starsoft lines also provide added protection to those who experience breakouts or those with hypersensitive skin. 

Post-Wax:

• Original Post-Wax Lotion: To leave skin feeling its best, use this product after waxing to make sure the skin gets an even tone, remains moisturized and does not get infected follicles. It also slows hair growth, reduces breakage on future wax treatments, and hydrates the skin.

• Original Post-Wax Oil: Post-Wax Oil is used after waxing to completely remove the wax residue. It also calms and soothes the skin leaving it hydrated and protected.

• Calendula Post-Wax Mousse:  This formula is specially formulated for those with sensitive, breakout-prone skin. It’s used post-wax to restore the skin’s hydrolipidic mantle and to leave it feeling nourished, refreshed, and lusciously smooth. It also facilitates skin drainage while weakening hair growth at the root for a bacteria-free and protected waxing service.
• Brazilian Waxing Mask: Enriched with essential oils and antioxidants which soothe intimate waxing, providing comfort. One mask can gently moisturize, and restore sensitized skin tissue after an intimate wax.
• Post-Wax Intensive Care Lotion: This highly absorbable after-wax cream dulls pain and helps regenerate cells to speed up the recovery after waxing. Restores skin moisture levels, and relieves potential irritation.
• Ingrown Hair Serum: Stop inner hair growth issues with this gentle chemical exfoliant spray that dissolves ingrowns before they form on the skin. Use 24-hours after waxing.

Having the right pre and post-waxing routine is essential for both clients seeing professional estheticians and for at-home users. 

For those working with both high volumes of clients, and for those just waxing themselves, we offer professional-sized 500ml and smaller-sized 200ml pre and post-wax products. No matter your waxing volume, you'll have the perfect amount of care at your fingertips. 

For students or at-home users, Starpil also offers complete waxing kits that will not only provide you with everything you need for a successful waxing service but also all of the pre and post-wax care products you’ll need to keep the skin safe and smooth. 

What Can I Use for Pre and Post-Wax?

Starpil pre and post-waxing products offer the most variety and best value for effective wax care. No matter your skin or hair type, we offer products that will keep skin nourished and free from breakouts or uncomfortable ingrown hairs. 

For those with normal skin types, our Original line will provide long-lasting skin care and keep skin looking its best. 

Our Starsoft line is crafted with neurosensory properties to provide hypersensitive skin with a luxurious waxing experience that quells pain, inflammation, and irritation. 

With an ultra-soothing blend of calendula and tea tree oil to limit bacteria, redness, and irritation, our Calendula pre and post-wax care line is a dream for those with breakout-prone or sensitive skin.

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason why professional estheticians always include pre and post-waxing routines as mandatory parts of their services. Using these products as part of the standard waxing process relieves the esthetician of the stressful endeavor of waxing on unprepared skin. 

For clients, it relieves them of an uncomfortable or irritating waxing experience and saves them from having to ask questions regarding relieving their skin after waxing.

For at-home waxers, using pre and post-wax care products levels up your waxing experience and allows your skin to be kept safe while providing long-lasting results.