DIY Waxing Underarms

Before you wax, be sure to thoroughly clean your underarms.
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Waxing at home is a good way to save money, as it costs significantly less than a professional wax. But it is important to be well-versed in how to use hot wax before attempting to wax your underarms. Before you begin, make sure that you have enough time to commit so you are not rushed. Since the underarm is a difficult area to see, you should do your waxing near a mirror.

  • Baby powder
  • Hot wax
  • Wooden waxing stick
  • Cloth waxing strips
  • Towel
  • Baby oil

1 Instructions

2 Clean your underarms

Clean your underarms. Thoroughly scrub your underarms with warm water and soap to remove any surface oil and bacteria on the skin.

3 Apply baby powder to the area

Apply baby powder to the area. The talc will absorb any moisture so that the wax can better adhere to your skin. Brush off any excess powder before you begin waxing.

4 Spread

Spread a thin layer of hot wax over a small section of your underarm using the wooden waxing stick as an applicator.

5 Press

Firmly press the cloth wax strip over the wax in the direction of hair growth. Allow it to set for a few seconds. Quickly remove the wax strip by pulling it off in the opposite direction.

6 've removed all hair

Repeat steps three and four until you've removed all hair from your underarms.

7 Remove any excess wax

Remove any excess wax from the area with a warm towel.

8 Apply a thin coat

Apply a thin coat of baby oil to your underarms to moisturize the area and eliminate any sticky residue left over from the wax.

  • Beware of the temperature of the wax, as wax that is too hot can burn the skin.
  • If you have very sensitive skin, waxing may result in redness or irritation, regardless of the temperature.
  • Avoid waxing immediately after sun exposure, particularly if you are sunburned.
  • If you have sensitive skin, you may want to consider using an organic wax or a formula specifically designed for sensitive skin to reduce the possibility of irritation.
  • Test the wax on a small area of your skin before you do the entire underarm to see if you have a reaction.

Leigh Shan has been writing about beauty, health, fitness, home and small businesses since 2007. Her work has been published in "The Queens Courier," "Queens Business Today" and "The Real Deal" newspapers, as well as "The World Scholar" magazine. Shan holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Fordham University in New York City.

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