How to Use Body Wax at Home: Step-by-Step

To use body wax at home: let hair grow to about 5 mm, exfoliate the day before, do a patch test, spread a thin layer of wax in the direction of hair growth, and pull the strip off quickly against the direction of growth while holding your skin taut. Then soothe the skin and avoid heat, sun and fragrance for 24 hours.

Always follow the directions on your pack — the steps below are the general method that works for most body waxes.

What do you need to wax at home?

• Body wax, such as SILQ Studio Body Wax
• A spatula or applicator and waxing strips
• Clean, dry skin with hair about 5 mm long
• A gentle cleanser and a soft towel
• A fragrance-free soothing lotion or moisturiser for afterwards

How should you prepare your skin before waxing?

Good prep is half of a good wax.

1. Let hair grow to about 5 mm — roughly the length of a grain of rice. Shorter hair is hard for wax to grip; much longer hair makes waxing more painful.
2. Exfoliate gently the day before, not on the day. It lifts dead skin so the wax grips the hair rather than the skin.
3. Do a patch test on a small area 24 hours before your first full wax, especially if your skin is sensitive.
4. On the day, start with clean, dry skin — no oil, lotion, deodorant or sweat on the area. A light dusting of talc-free powder can help on humid days.

How do you use body wax, step by step?

1. Prepare the wax as your pack directs. If it is heated, test the temperature on your inner wrist before it touches a larger area — it should feel warm, never hot.
2. Work in small sections. Spread a thin, even layer with the spatula in the direction your hair grows.
3. Apply a strip on top and press it down firmly, smoothing it in the direction of growth.
4. Hold the skin taut with your other hand just below the strip.
5. Pull the strip off in one quick movement, against the direction of growth, keeping it low and close to the skin — pull back, not up.
6. Press your palm on the area for a moment straight after; it eases the sting.
7. Move on to the next section. Avoid waxing the same patch more than twice — tweeze stray hairs instead.

How can you make waxing hurt less?

• Wax regularly — regrowth tends to come back softer, and each session gets easier.
• Keep skin taut and pull fast; slow pulls hurt more and leave hair behind.
• Avoid waxing in the few days before your period, when many people find their skin more sensitive.
• Breathe out as you pull.

What should you do after waxing?

For the first 24 hours:

• Avoid hot showers, saunas, swimming pools and direct sun.
• Skip fragranced products, deodorant on freshly waxed underarms, and tight clothing.
• Remove any wax residue gently with an oil or a residue remover — don't scrub.

After a day, once any redness has settled, moisturise every day — a body lotion such as Velvet Touch Body Lotion keeps skin soft between waxes.

How do you prevent bumps and ingrown hairs?

Small red bumps for a few hours after waxing are normal. To keep ingrown hairs away, exfoliate gently two or three times a week starting a few days after you wax, moisturise daily, and wear loose clothing over freshly waxed areas.

When should you not wax?

Don't wax skin that is broken, sunburnt, irritated or recently treated, or over moles, warts or varicose veins. If you use retinoids or exfoliating acids on the area, have diabetes, circulation problems or a skin condition, ask a doctor before waxing. Body wax is for the body — arms, legs and underarms — not the face, eyebrows or intimate areas unless the pack says otherwise.

Read more about body wax and waxing aftercare, or explore the full body care range.