Tanning and waxing just seem to naturally go together, especially if you spend a lot of time in your bikini. After all, if you want a beautiful tan, you want to make sure that you have smooth, soft skin to go with it.
Combining waxing and tanning, however, can be somewhat tricky. After waxing, your skin is especially sensitive and tanning may actually end up irritating the skin.
To prevent damage to your skin, here are some things to remember before you wax and tan:
Do not tan at least 24 hours before and after waxing
When it comes to waxing and tanning, it is advised that you your stay out of the sun for long periods at least 24 hours before and after your waxing appointment. This is because your skin is will be especially sensitive to the wax.
Sun tanning just before you have an area waxed, there is a higher chance of the wax irritating your skin, even if you have no visible burns. It is best to avoid the sun for at least a day before you wax, to give your skin some time to rest.
If you tan immediately after getting a wax, the chances of sunburn increase considerably. Waxing removes the top layer of the skin along with the hair, making you more susceptible to burning under UV rays.
Avoid bronzer before or after waxing
If you cannot suntan before and after you are waxed, you may be tempted to wear a fake tan instead. Best to hold off. Like tanning, bronzers and fake tans can irritate sensitive skin during and after waxing. If you do plan to wear fake tan you have to make sure that you wash it off thoroughly so no residue remains on your skin before you wax. After waxing, your pores are open, so best to hold off until the skin completely heals.
Wax before you tan
Even though you shouldn’t tan 24 hours before waxing, it is better still to wax before you start tanning. Skin in areas where hair is removed, especially thick hair, maybe lighter and leave your skin tone patchy compared to the rest of your tan. If you want an even tan, be sure you remove all unwanted hair before you soak up the sun.
