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Shaving after a Brazilian wax can lead to ingrown hairs, razor burn, and irritation. It is best to avoid shaving for at least 24-48 hours after waxing to allow the skin to heal. If you must shave, use a new razor, shave in the direction of hair growth, and apply tenderskin afterwards to prevent irritation.
Getting a Brazilian wax leaves your bikini area smooth and hair-free. However, many women wonder if it is okay to shave in between waxing appointments. Shaving after waxing is not recommended, as it can cause problems like ingrown hairs, bumps, and razor burn. In this article, we will explore what happens when you shave after a Brazilian wax and provide tips on how to avoid irritation if you must shave.
Why Shaving After Waxing Can Irritate Skin
There are a few reasons why shaving after waxing can irritate the skin:
Removing Wax Residue
During a Brazilian wax, wax adheres to the hair and skin in the treatment area. While your esthetician will clean off the wax thoroughly after the service, there is often some residue left behind in the follicles. Shaving too soon can drive this residue deeper into the pore, clogging follicles and leading to ingrown hairs.
Exfoliating Effect
Waxing itself is an exfoliating treatment—it removes the top layer of dead skin cells along with hair. Your skin needs time to recover from this mini-exfoliation before removing any more cells through shaving. If you shave too soon, it can be overly abrasive for the skin.
Growing Hairs Have Weak Anchors
When hairs grow back after waxing, they initially have weak anchors in the follicle. Shaving too soon can easily dislodge these growing hairs, causing them to turn inwards and become ingrown hairs under the skin.
Tips for Shaving After Waxing
While it’s best to avoid shaving for 24-48 hours after a Brazilian wax, sometimes it may be necessary to shave in between appointments. Here are some tips to reduce irritation if you must shave after waxing:
- Wait at least 24 hours after waxing before shaving. 48 hours is ideal.
- Shave in the direction of hair growth, not against it.
- Use a fresh, sharp razor—don’t use a dull blade.
- Soften hairs first by taking a warm shower or pressing a warm, wet towel over the area.
- Use a moisturizing shave gel, cream or oil.
- Rinse razor often to prevent dragging and pulling.
- Gently pat dry after shaving—no rubbing.
- Apply tenderskin or a soothing gel after shaving.
- Exfoliate a day or two after shaving to prevent ingrown hairs.
Following these tips can help reduce irritation when shaving after waxing, though avoiding shaving altogether is best.
What Problems Can Occur When Shaving After Waxing?
Some of the most common problems that can happen when shaving after waxing include:
Ingrown Hairs
Ingrown hairs occur when the sharpened tip of a growing hair curls back into the skin instead of rising to the surface. Shaving too soon after waxing increases ingrown risk.
Razor Burn
Razor burn appears as redness, bumps and irritation from shaving. It happens when the blade irritates and inflames the skin. Razor burn stings and can take a few days to heal.
Bumps
Shaving can cause bumps on the bikini area from ingrown hairs, clogged pores or irritation from the razor. They appear as small red or white bumps and can be itchy.
Rash
A red, itchy rash can break out from shaving over skin that is still irritated and sensitive from waxing. Friction from the razor causes the rash.
Cuts/Nicks
It’s easy to cut or nick sensitive skin when shaving, especially if you rush the process. Nicks and cuts can lead to infection if bacteria enters the open wound.
Peeling/Flaking
If the razor removes too many skin cells, it can cause peeling and flaking. This leads to an uneven, irritated appearance.
How Long Should I Wait Between Waxing and Shaving?
Ideally, you should wait at least 48 hours between waxing and shaving. This gives your skin enough time to recover and heal completely from the effects of waxing before you shave again.
Here is a table with recommended wait times based on different expert sources:
| Expert Source | Recommended Wait Time |
|---|---|
| European Wax Center | 24-48 hours |
| Sugaring LA | 24 hours minimum |
| Ministry of Waxing | At least 48 hours |
| Andrea’s Skin Care | 36-48 hours |
| Laser Away | 48-72 hours |
As you can see, most experts agree you should wait at least 24-48 hours between waxing and shaving. Waiting 48 hours or more is ideal to allow the skin to fully heal before removing any more hair.
Pro tips for waiting before shaving:
- Schedule your wax ahead of time so you don’t need to shave right before an event or trip.
- Exfoliate the day before your wax to reduce ingrown risk after.
- Use a chemical exfoliant like salicylic acid instead of shaving for those 48 hours.
- Try an at-home hair removal cream if hair regrowth bothers you.
- Apply tenderskin to help soothe and heal skin after waxing.
What About Shaving Before Your Next Wax Appointment?
Many women want to shave before their next waxing session because they are self-conscious about visible hair growth. However, shaving right before waxing is also not recommended and can cause problems.
Here’s what can happen if you shave right before waxing:
- Can cause more pain/discomfort during waxing.
- Can make it more difficult for the wax to adhere properly.
- Can cause more breakage and shorter hairs that are harder to remove.
- Can increase chances of irritation and ingrown hairs after.
Ideally, you should allow the hair to grow out slightly before your next wax. Hair should be 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch long for best wax adherence. Wait 5-7 days of growth between shaving and your next wax.
Tips for preparing for your next wax session:
- Use chemical exfoliation to prevent ingrown hairs while allowing growth.
- Trim hair with scissors instead of shaving if you can’t wait.
- Avoid tight clothing that could irritate hair follicles.
- Apply tenderskin or wax prep products to follicles.
- Take ibuprofen if you tend to experience pain with waxing.
How Can I Prevent Irritation From Shaving After Waxing?
While it’s best to avoid shaving for at least 24-48 hours after waxing, some methods can help prevent irritation if you must shave in between appointments:
- Wait at least 24 hours after waxing before shaving.
- Soften hairs by taking a warm shower or using a warm, wet towel.
- Use a new, sharp razor – dull blades cause irritation.
- Apply a moisturizing shave product like shave gel or cream.
- Shave in the direction of hair growth, not against it.
- Rinse razor blade often to prevent tugging the skin.
- Gently pat dry – avoid rubbing the area.
- Use a moisturizer or tenderskin to soothe skin after shaving.
- Exfoliate a day or two later to prevent ingrown hairs.
Being gentle and allowing the skin time to heal between waxing and shaving is key. Avoiding shaving altogether will prevent the most irritation.
Conclusion
Shaving after a Brazilian wax is not recommended, as it can lead to problems like ingrown hairs, bumps, and razor burn. Your skin needs 24-48 hours to recover after waxing before removing any more hair. If you must shave in between waxing appointments, be gentle – use a new razor, shave slowly in the direction of hair growth, and apply tenderskin after to prevent irritation. Scheduling your waxes so you don’t need to shave is best to prevent discomfort.