Men's waxing cops a lot of hate from social influencers as being SOOOOO painful, blah blah blah.
Have you ever noticed those same 'experts' are simultaneously trying to sell you the latest hair clippers or depilatory cream or home IPL machine with the oh-so-cool name?
But low pain and great results come down to 3 things:
- Find a waxer with TONS of experience in men's waxing
- Preparation for your treatment
- After-care
Obviously, if you come to me, you've got the first step covered. 🥇
For the other two, I've put together this universal list of male waxing tips and tricks plus some contraindications to waxing to help ensure the best outcome from your waxing treatment.
Men's Waxing Tips - Before
Get in the habit of moisturising. Regularly nourishing the skin will keep it soft and supple, and makes a huge difference to what you feel during your male waxing treatment.
Wear loose fitting clothes to your treatment and avoid tight elastic that might chaff against your newly waxed skin.
If you're getting a male Brazilian wax, cotton undies or cotton boxers are good, or just wear no undies at all. Avoid silks and synthetics until your skin has returned to normal.
Leading up to getting a Manzilian, don't have sex or masturbate within a few hours beforehand as your scrotum, penis, and perineum will be more tender than usual.
Don't clipper your hair in order to tidy it up first. You might trim your hair too short for the wax to grip. If it needs trimming, your therapist will do it.
Don't tell your mates or partner that you're getting a wax before you do it.
Mates are mongrels and will send you links to every YouTube horror story they can find. Come in as relaxed as possible - That's half the battle for first timers.
Particularly in regard to men's Brazilian waxing, don't be scared to look like a noob. If you're worried or unsure about styles etc, discuss it with your therapist first.
Men's Waxing Tips - After
To help soothe the area afterwards, use a good quality after-waxing cream or body milk until the skin has calmed down.
Your waxing therapist will be able to recommend or provide a quality post-wax lotion for under $20 that will last multiple treatments.
Do not try to do it on the cheap and use general antiseptics or you will definitely inflame your skin.
Do not put pure tea tree oil on your skin after waxing. It will burn you.
Yes, most after-wax lotions contain tea tree oil, but they are only around 2.5% strength maximum - Pure tea tree oil is 40 times the recommended strength.
After a wax, avoid chlorine, saunas, hot tubs and any other sources of heat until your skin has calmed down.
Salt is a natural antiseptic. If you live near the beach, a swim in salt water is great for the skin after waxing.
You can also make a soothing saline wash with half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water.
Avoid colognes and antiperspirants until your skin has returned to normal.
Men's Waxing Tips - Regrowth
Do not exfoliate the waxed area for a week minimum. You will cause in-grown hairs. Your skin may return to normal quickly or it could take 48-72 hours.
As regrowth comes through at about the 3 week mark, gently exfoliate each day then follow with your after-wax lotion.
Waxing treatments should be spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. Your hair should be at least 5mm long for the wax to grip it.