At Soft Shell, we take safety, sanitation control seriously. Each of our estheticians are licensed by the State Board of Cosmetology and trained in sanitization procedures and regulations. All surfaces and instruments are cleaned and sanitized with EPA approved solutions. We also enforce a strict “no double dipping” policy, meaning that we never dip the same applicator in any pot of wax once it has been used.
Everyone reacts differently to waxing. Waxing involves the uprooting of hair follicles. This means your skin will normally be slightly pink or blushed after your waxing service. For most people, this is mostly gone after 30 to 60 minutes. However, if this is your first time or a new wax for you, it is important to take precaution. Heightened sensitivity and temporary enlargement of the follicle in the area waxed for the next 24-48 hours so we recommend no vigorous activity or exfoliation after your waxing. If redness or irritation is prolonged, it should be evaluated and treated as soon as possible. That is why it is important to take proper care of your skin following a wax treatment. Repeating services with the same esthetician can be helpful since you will know the intricacies of your skin type. Call to speak to your esthetician if you have questions.
Before Your Wax: Pre-Waxing Care
Personal hygiene: Please shower/bathe/ freshen up before your waxing treatment. We sanitize the area and have personal premoistened towelletes available for your convenience. Working out before a body wax treatment increases blood flow and should be avoided.
Avoid Lotions & Potions: Avoid self-tanners, body sprays, deodorants and other topical creams before your appointment.
Hair Growth: If you have been shaving or tweezing, allow a minimum of 2-3 weeks or ¼ inch to ½ inch of hair growth (about half the size of your pinky nail, for scale!). If your hair is long, you can trim it to the recommended length before your appointment. If you are unable to trim, your esthetician may trim the area for you.
Schedule ahead: Schedule your wax 2-3 days before vacations to beach, sun, and swims. If you have a special occasion like a wedding coming up, we recommend waxing 1-2 days prior to ensure that the stressed area is calm.
Avoid heat: No tanning beds, hot tubs and saunas before your appointment.
Exfoliate: Exfoliating the area gently 24 hours before your appointment will remove the dead skin cells and allow for a cleaner wax.
Keep Calm: Come early to fill out a waxing client form for first time clients, use the restroom or shop for products before your appointment, sip a cup of tea or glass of water to relax before your waxing appointment. Arrive early to ensure full time for your service.
Dress Comfortable: For body waxing, wear loose and comfortable clothing to allow for skin breathability after waxing.
Calming Sensitivity : Some clients who are more sensitive prefer an anti-inflammatory about one hour before their service. It is also possible to purchase a topical anesthetic or numbing agent to apply to the area about 30 minutes before a service.
After Your Wax: Post-Waxing Care
Avoid heat. No tanning, sun bathing, hot tubs or saunas for 48 hours after your treatment. Since a layer of dead skin cells have been removed, sun and or heat exposure can irritate the skin. When you do go in the sun, wear sunscreen to protect recently waxed areas if you are be prone to burning or skin color changes.
Wearing loose and soft clothing around waxed areas to keep skin unrestricted.
Avoid antiperspirants and deodorants for 24 hours following an underarm wax.
No hot baths/rigorous exercising for 2-6 hours following your treatment.
Slight soreness and slightly raised skin with pinkness is common and a temporary reaction. These symptoms should subside within 24 to 48 hours. Our estheticians will apply a topical soothing and anti-bacterial solution at the end of your service to help minimize these side effects. Should irritation continue, we recommend that you use an antibiotic ointment.
Apply a cold compress or ice to sooth the skin if you experience heat in waxed areas after your treatment. The ice will also help close the pores that have opened up during the wax. Calendula Cream or Lavender Arnica Soothing Salve may also help to reduce the redness and irritation following your treatment.
Wax is fully removed but massaging a light oil in the area will remove any wax residue that may be remaining on the skin.
Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate. One to two days after the waxing has reduced, gently exfoliate your skin and continue to do this daily. This is the best way to get rid of and prevent any ingrown hair. Exfoliating clears skin and oils from the surface of the skin so that hair is able to grow back with minimal irritation. At Soft Shell we offer a nice selection of exfoliating products to help you maintain your wax and eliminate ingrown hairs. Try our ingrown hair/breakout serums such as PFB Vanish, Post-Waxing Tea Tree spray, exfoliating gloves, loofahs, bath brushes, or our natural salt/sugar scrubs.
Soothe and protect the skin. Apply a moisturizing lotion or body butter every day. Wear sunscreen to prevent burns.
Do not shave hair between appointments if possible to enjoy benefits.
Be sure to schedule your next appointment every 4-6 weeks. This allows the hair to grow to the recommended length of 1/4″ and takes into account that each hair follicle has its own growth cycle. Continuing to wax monthly for 3 growth cycles helps to keep timing on regrowth on a permanent cycle and results in more hair free days!
Post Wax-Care Product Recommendations in the Soft Shell Boutique
Cleansers & Calming Products
Soft Shell Botanicals Herbal Blend Astringent
This blend includes organic Salicylic Acid (Willow Bark Extract) and is known for its antiseptic, astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.
Soft Shell Botanicals Ginseng Mineral Toner
Ginseng, chamomile, and geranium calm, hydrate, & help to repair the skin.
Claire Marie’s Aromatherapy
Pre & Post Wax Tea Tree Oil Spray
Made in Petaluma! Tea tree oil is known for its natural antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and healing properties. Spritz this on before and/or after a waxing service for at-home maintenance.
Soft Shell Botanicals Dermaclenz Cleanser
Aloe, Meadowsweet, Honey, Lactic & Salicylic Acid, and essential oils of Orange, Geranium and Eucalyptus refresh and cleanse the skin. Can be used in shower for face & body.
Soft Shell Botanicals Vital Hydrant Toner
This cool gel blend of Aloe, lavender, and Japanese green tea is great for hydrating and calming sensitive skin.
Soft Shell Botanicals Keep It Calm Relief Serum
This powerful blend of inflammatory ingredients is highly effective in the treatment of redness. This formula was designed to deliver an instant calming effect to irritated skin.
Boiron Calendula Cream
Naturally heal skin irritation with the power of calendula. This formula is a must-have for to help heal irritations, burns, or scrapes. Non-irritating formula is paraben-free.
Soft Shell Botanicals Aloe & Azulene Masque
Aloe and azulene naturally soothe irritation and inflamed skin. Sodium hyaluronate hydrates.
[endif]-- Exfoliating Essentials
Physically massaging, buffing, scrubbing, and brushing the skin with gloves, loofahs, brushes, or sponges can help to manually remove dead skin cells, release ingrown hairs, and increase circulation for smoother, healthier skin.
Soft Shell Botanicals AHA Exfoliating Cleanser
Contains a blend of lactic, glycolic, and salicylic acids with grapefruit and jojoba beads for a highly effective deep pore cleanser.
Soft Shell Botanicals Blueberry & Coffee Bean Exfoliating Cleanser
Highly powered with antioxidant & anti-inflammatory ingredients.
Soft Shell Botanicals Soft Papaya & Pumpkin Masque
This unique masque incorporates a active Papaya Enzyme to cleanse pores and smooth the surface of the skin. Extracts of Pumpkin Seed and Comfrey clarify and heal properties while Japanese Green Tea helps reduce redness and irritation.
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Buff your skin regularly with products like the Moku Pua Pikake Jasmine Sugar Scrub or the VTAE California Natural Lavender Body Salt Scrub to help physically massage away dead skin cells and keep skin fresh and glowing. Salt is cleansing and purifying, while Sugar scrubs are recommended for sensitive and dry skin. Sugar granules are smaller and less abrasive and sugar is a natural humectant to help retain moisture.
Serums & Breakout Control:
PFB Vanish
PFB Vanish™ is a gentle, cosmetically elegant roll-on gel, formulated for ingrown hairs, burn and bumps from waxing and hair removal. PFB Vanish has three key exfoliating ingredients – salicylic, glycolic and lactic acids, and moisturizing and soothing ingredients like willow bark and camphor oil. Highly effective and safe to use on face and body.
Soft Shell Botanicals Blemish Control
A quick, easy to use concentrate effective for breakouts or blemishes. Designed to absorb excess oils and to provide antiseptic effects for irritated skin. Salicylic Acid, a Beta Hydroxy Acid will naturally exfoliate surface dead skin to clarify the skin.
Snow Lotus Organic Facial Serum
For Sensitive Skin
This non-clogging blend of very light oil is ideal for protecting sensitive and irritated skin. Calming ingredients include organic apricot kernel, argan nut, jojoba bean, evening primrose seed and organic essential oils of Blue tansy, Roman camomile, Lavender and Rosewood.
Hydration & Protection:
V’TAE California Naturals Lotion
Balance and sooth your skin with these blends of organic and natural plant derived ingredients. Paraben free Cruelty free Rich with essential fatty acids and antioxidants. A variety of scents available like Rose, Lavender, Vanilla, Grapefruit.
Soft Shell Botanicals Restorative Marine Moisturizer
This thick facial crème hydrates and calms redness with vitamins and ingredients like Red Marine Algae, Ginseng, Rose Hip, and Horse Chestnut.
Three Sister’s Apothecary Lavender Arnica Soothing Salve
This healing salve brings potent and effective relief to support the body’s restorative abilities and bring relief to dry, irritated and itchy skin. Lavender Essential Oil blends with Beeswax, Vitamin E, Grapeseed, Coconut Marshmallow and Comfrey blend with Arnica and Helichrysum, to create an effective salve to bring relief to dry, irritated and itchy skin.
Moku Pua Hawaiian Body Butters
Fresh from the island of Maui, Moku Pua’s all natural smooth and creamy Body Butter will hydrate your dry skin. Made with natural exotic oils of Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Kukui Nut Oil, Mango Butter, and Shea Butter. After exfoliating, this luxurious cream will secure moisture to keep your skin nourished and hydrated all day and evening long with intoxicating scents like Tahitian Vanilla, Coconut Pineapple, or Plumeria Jasmine.
MD SolarScience SPF
Protect your skin from the sun with ultimate mineral broad spectrum sunscreen! Locks in moisture by helping to repair skin’s natural lipid barrier with a unique blend of ceramides and humectants. This oil-free family-friendly formula is safe for all skin types and naturally derived Eco-cert mineral UV protection helps reduce the risk of photo aging and skin cancer.
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