After pregnancy and childbirth, many moms, including myself, had at least thought about personal care and ways to feel their best in their new routines.
Getting a wax might be on your list of self-care practices to consider. But it’s important to get the right gist on when it’s safe and appropriate to do so after welcoming your baby.
This article is going to throw more light on it. I will explore the guidelines, tips, and advice to ensure your postpartum waxing experience is both safe and satisfying.
How Long After Giving Birth Can You Get a Wax?
After you’ve had your baby, you’ll probably be thinking when it’s okay to get back to certain personal care routines, like getting a wax.
Whether it’s your legs, underarms, or bikini area, waxing can make you feel clean, refreshed, and maybe a bit more like your pre-baby self. But it becomes overly important to wait for the right time! This is to ensure everything’s safe and doesn’t cause any issues.
So, how long should you wait? Well, generally, it is advised to wait at least 6 weeks into postpartum before getting any kind of wax.
This waiting period applies mostly when you have a vaginal delivery. If you had a cesarean section (C-section), you’d want to wait an additional 2-4 weeks post-delivery.
…Why the wait?
After your baby is out, your body keeps adjusting. Your hormones are still all over the place, and if you had a vaginal delivery, your body needs time to heal, especially if you had any tears or cuts(and needed stitches).
Even if you feel great and want to jump back into your routine, those areas are more sensitive and prone to rashes and infections during the postpartum period. Plus, your skin might react differently to waxing than it did before you got here.
For moms who had a C-section, it’s especially important to give your body time to heal. The incision area needs time to recover. And you’d want to avoid any treatments near that region until it’s properly healed and your doctor gives you the green light.
…What to do in the meantime?
If hair removal is a must, then I would recommend some gentler options like shaving. But be hypervigilant to avoid cuts. And no matter what method you might be considering, always prioritize your health and well-being.
Sometimes, before you even move forward with your decision to book that waxing appointment, it might be a good idea to check with your doctor (it could be the midwife or your lactation consultant). This is especially true if, even after six weeks, you feel like you haven’t healed enough after giving birth.
Most of the time, they know your health history and how your delivery went and can advise you when it’s safe to start waxing again.
In a nutshell, it’s always best to give your body time to heal postpartum. Waiting at least 6 weeks is your safest bet when thinking about getting back to waxing. Your body has done something incredible, so give it the care and patience it deserves.
Safe Tips For Getting a Wax after Giving Birth
For new moms thinking about getting back to waxing after childbirth, here are some general tips and precautions that can help make the experience smoother and safer:
1. Wait for the Green Light
Even if you’re feeling up to it, your skin could be extra delicate after having your baby, and waxing too soon might not be the best idea – especially if you had a C-section because the spot where your doctor made the cut needs time to heal properly.
It usually takes 6 weeks to heal[1], but I’ve always advised my patients to wait at least a couple more weeks if they consider waxing. The 8-10-week mark is enough of a green light to go ahead.
Every mom’s body heals differently after having a baby, so it’s really about paying attention to what your body is telling you and following your doctor’s advice.
2. Test the waters
What does this mean? Well, after having a baby, your body might react differently to things than before, including waxing. Thus, trying out waxing on a small part of your skin could be like taking your car for a spin around the block before going on a long road trip.
It lets you see how your skin says, “Hey, I’m okay with this,” or “Nope, not liking it,” without committing to waxing a large area. You just pick a tiny spot on your body where you plan to wax and apply a bit of wax there first.
This mini test drive gives you a clear idea of how your post-baby skin is feeling about waxing. If your skin throws a mini temper tantrum after the test strip (think redness, irritation, or anything that screams “I’m not happy!”), it might be a sign to hold off a little longer on the full waxing experience.
On the flip side, if your skin is like, “That was a breeze, then you’re probably good to keep going with more.
3. Choose your salon wisely.
Just like you wouldn’t take your little one to a playground that’s not safe, you shouldn’t go to a disreputable salon that won’t take good care of you and your skin.
When you’re looking for a place to get it done, cleanliness should check your boxes first. They should be using fresh sheets or paper on the waxing beds for each person, wearing gloves, and never double-dipping into the wax.
The workers, at the bare minimum, should be pros who know what they’re doing, especially with new moms like you. They should ask you questions about your skin and how long it’s been since you had your baby (really important).
It’s a bit like the first day of school; you want teachers who need to know all about the kids they’re looking after. Once you choose wisely, you’ll feel more chill about getting waxed, knowing that you and your skin are in perfect hands.
So, I’d entreat you to do a bit of homework, perhaps ask some friends or check out reviews on the internet, and find a salon that’s just the right fit for you.
4. Go Gentler with waxing
There are different kinds of wax out there, and a softer, more caring type might just do the trick for your post-baby skin. This kind of wax doesn’t stick to the skin as much as it does to the hair, which means it’s like getting a gentle hug instead of a tight squeeze.
It can make waxing a lot more comfortable for you. When you go to the salon, you can ask them about the kinds of wax they use.
Tell them you’re a new mom and you’re looking for something that’s tender on the skin. Just like you tell your family what your baby needs, you can tell your waxing pro what you need.
5. Stay comfortable
Choosing what to wear is a good start. Go for loose, soft clothes that won’t rub against your freshly waxed skin like a soft blanket wraps around your baby, offering comfort and protection.
Also, consider the timing of your appointment. Schedule your waxing when you’re likely to be most at ease – maybe when you’ve had a good night’s sleep or after you’ve fed your baby.
During the waxing, keep breathing deeply and think about something that makes you happy – perhaps a favorite memory or imagining a quiet moment to yourself. It’s a bit like reading a soothing story to your baby; it calms the mind and eases the moment.
6. Aftercare is key
After you get waxed, imagine your skin feeling a bit like it’s had a long day out in the sun. It’s tired, maybe a little sensitive, and craving moisture, you know…
Using a soothing lotion or aloe vera gel kind of feels like giving it a big, voluminous drink of water. It’s important to choose products that are gentle and free from harsh chemicals, fragrances, or colors – think of the kind of products you’d select for your baby’s sensitive skin.
Keeping the waxed areas cool and calm is another way to pamper yourself afterward. Avoiding hot showers, steamy baths, and direct sunlight is like keeping your baby in the shade on a sunny day – it’s all about protection.
It also makes a lot of sense to choose loose clothes after the session to allow your skin room to breathe. Tight clothing can rub against freshly waxed areas and provoke the skin, something you definitely want to steer clear of.
7. Recognize Your Limits
There might be days when you’re all geared up for a waxing appointment, but your body or your baby’s needs might throw you a curveball. It’s perfectly okay to reschedule for a day when you feel more up to it.
Listening to your body is like tuning into your baby’s needs; you know when it’s time for rest, and when you’re ready for action.
Pain tolerance can also change post-baby. If you used to breeze through waxing appointments but now find them more uncomfortable, don’t be hard on yourself.
It’s like adjusting to your new normal. I bet it’s going to take some time, and there’s no rush. There are always alternatives and ways to make waxing a more comfortable experience, like asking for numbing creams or taking an over-the-counter pain reliever beforehand, just as you would find ways to soothe your baby.
Bear in mind: the goal is to take care of yourself, and sometimes that means accepting that you can’t do it all, and that’s alright.
8. Hydration Helps
The list is never complete without this step. Just like when you’re making sure your baby gets all the fluids they need to stay healthy and happy, your skin needs that same care.
Drinking plenty of water leading up to your waxing appointment works wonders. It helps keep your skin soft and supple, which can actually make the waxing process a touch more comfortable.
In the whirlwind of looking after a new baby, it’s easy to forget about your own needs, but just a few sips of water here and there can do wonders.
Hydration – inside and out – can be a simple step in your waxing routine that has big benefits, just like it does for your little one’s well-being.
So, keep that water bottle close by and moisturize because well-hydrated skin is happy skin, and a happy mom is ready for anything – even waxing!
How Long After Giving Birth Can You Get a Wax? – This is a wrap
Time to wrap up on the topic of when it’s safe to resume waxing postpartum. It’s noteworthy knowing that every new mom has a special journey.
In my capacity as a midwife, I’d recommend waiting around 6 weeks before getting a wax, especially if you had a natural birth.
Had a c-section? You’d definitely want to wait at least a couple more weeks to ensure the scars and stitches are all healed up completely.
It’s all about being patient and understanding your own healing process. And then, if pain persists after the eighth week, talk it out with your doctor before moving forward to getting a wax.
Doctors can help speed up the recovery process if they find that it’s a tad slower. Always approach your return to waxing with the same care and consideration you do in other aspects of your postpartum life.
When you do decide the time is right, try to follow the tips I listed above, especially starting with a less sensitive area. This is to see how your skin reacts, ensuring a gentle reintroduction to waxing. All the best, Mom!
