How to prepare your skin for a waxing session ?

Before your waxing session:

Just a few simple precautions are all it takes for the best results. Make sure you haven't shaved recently! Allow at least two to three weeks of regrowth (3 to 5 mm minimum) so the wax can grip properly. Don't apply any self-tanner in the 48 hours before your appointment, and skip the moisturiser on the day itself over the areas to be waxed: your skin needs to be clean and dry so the wax adheres well.

At Bains du Marais, we recommend prepping for your waxing session with a hammam visit followed by an exfoliation: the heat opens up the pores, while the scrub sloughs away dead skin cells and frees up ingrown hairs, making extraction easier and minimising discomfort. It's the perfect combo, and you can book it all in a single visit.

If your skin is sensitive or reactive, we suggest going for oriental wax (honey or sugar), which clings only to the hair and is gentler on the skin. Be sure to tell your beautician about any ongoing medical treatments too, especially those containing retinoids or cortisone, which can weaken the skin.

After your waxing session:

For the first 24 to 48 hours after waxing, avoid sun exposure, hot baths, the hammam and the sauna: your skin is more sensitive and your pores are still open. Steer clear of self-tanners and alcohol-based perfumes on the treated areas as well, as these can cause irritation.

Moisturise your skin generously with a gentle, non-comedogenic product to soothe and nourish it. From the third day onwards, exfoliate regularly (once or twice a week) to prevent ingrown hairs, particularly around the bikini line and thighs. Regular waxing combined with these simple care habits gradually makes regrowth finer, and every session becomes more comfortable.