Smooth, hair-free skin. If only it were easier said than done! From plucking our eyebrows, using epilators, to shaving our armpits and waxing our bikini area, we’re willing to go through any pain if it means getting rid of body hair (at least for a while).

When we do these methods incorrectly, though, you could end up with rough, bumpy skin, ingrown hairs, or regrowth that’s coarse. To help you keep you bump-free and immaculately hair-free, it’s important to know how to care for your skin before and after hair removal. Here are five body hair habits that you need to stop right now.

1. Skipping exfoliation.

No matter what method you use to remove body hair, you will always run the risk of getting ingrown hairs if you don’t exfoliate the area. That’s because when you exfoliate, you not only get rid of the dead skin surrounding the hair follicles but you also prevent hairs from getting trapped in the skin. 

There are many ways to do exfoliation, from using a loofah bath sponge, to using gentle exfoliation scrubs. If you want to avoid irritation, steer clear of chemical exfoliants before you wax, pluck, or shave. 

Try out our Belo Body Illuminating Glow Kit – this Belo It Yourself Kit promotes brighter, dewier and smoother-looking complexion!

2. Shaving your underarms.

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First of all, your armpits are curved in shape, and the hairs don’t all grow in the same direction, unlike the ones on your legs. Secondly, the razors can scratch the sensitive skin in the area, causing darkening, and you definitely don’t want that. Instead of shaving, you may want to consider getting a wax or a laser treatment as these can get rid of the hair evenly or permanently.

3. Waxing a few days before getting your period.

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Waxing is painful as it is. That being said, nobody wants an even more painful waxing session, and that’s what you’ll get if you schedule your wax appointment when you’re going to get your period soon. Your skin is the most sensitive at this time, plus, there’s a greater chance for bruising, too. It’s best to set any hair removal treatments the week after your period.

4. Plucking ingrown hairs.

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It can be pretty irritating when you’ve got ingrown hairs and we’re sure you’re just dying to get them out. You’ll need to muster every ounce of willpower because when you pluck or shave your ingrown hairs deep in the skin, because some strands may just end up growing back into the skin, triggering inflammation or even an infection. If you really can’t wait for them to go away on their own, you can apply a warm washcloth to loosen the follicle and use a soft toothbrush to gently bring the hair out. You can also use a sterile needle to pierce the skin and pull the hair out.  

5. Trimming hair before a waxing session.

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It can be tempting to trim your hair in your bikini area, but short hair is really not ideal for removing hair via wax. For the wax strip to effectively pull out hair, it needs long strands to latch on to. The next time you have hankering for a trim, leave at least ¼ of an inch and wait until your next waxing appointment and let the experts take control.

Smooth, bump-free and hair-free skin shouldn’t take rocket science. By avoiding these hair removal mistakes and following these tips, you’ll be able to see a big difference. If you’d like to take the plunge, though, Splendor X’s hair removal is effective and has more value for money down the line!

To book your laser hair removal appointment, call 8819-BELO or click here.