Advice & Aftercare
Waxing:
Don't shave or remove the hair in any other way for 3 weeks before your appointment
Clients must ensure hair growth is at least 5mm to maximise results – about the length of a grain of rice.
Clients are also advised to exfoliate and moisturise in the run up to a wax to maximise results – also recommended regularly to discourage ingrown hairs.
Other things to note include:
Waxing can cause tenderness and raised follicles, particularly on first or irregular sessions. This is normal and again very short lived.
You’ll be given further after-care advice at your appointment.
Loose cotton clothing is recommended to help keep waxed areas cool.
Clients should bathe prior to waxing (avoiding all lotions and potions) as hot baths are not advised after treatment.
Waxing after-care tips:
Moisturise the waxed area regularly. If you are moisturising your intimate bits, be sure to use an appropriate cream or oil that won’t aggravate these most sensitive of areas.
Exfoliate the waxed area several times a week to help avoid dead skin cells.
Soothing lotions and gels, especially those containing products such as tea-tree oil, aloe Vera and witch-hazel, helps alleviate irritation.
And…
No fake tans, extreme heat treatments (e.g. very hot baths or showers, saunas, steam rooms), swimming, sunbathing (including sun beds or any other exposure to UV light) or tight clothing for 24-48 hours.
Try and avoid exercise for 24-hours.
Do not scratch or touch the area with unwashed hands.
In the unlikely event that your skin has not returned to normal after 48 hours, seek advice from your GP.
Facial:
Keep make-up, perfumed products and other skincare products a minimum for 24-hours after having a facial.
Do not apply any other exfoliating skincare products for 72-hours after a facial. Thereafter, it is advise to exfoliate twice a week.
Stay away from direct sunlight/sunbeds and heat e.g. saunas for 48-hours after having a facial.
Return for treatments every 4-weeks to maintain.
Always use an SPF.
Manicures:
Be careful in the first 24 hours after application and avoid intense heat during this period (e.g. saunas, hot baths, or sunbeds).
Use cuticle oil daily to keep your nails nourished, to stimulate growth and prevent lifting.
Always wear protective gloves when washing up, cleaning, DIY-ing or gardening.
Always wash your hands thoroughly after being in contact with chlorine, bleach, insect repellent or sunscreen. Chemicals can lead to the nail products breaking down.
Always return to salon for maintenance and removal and follow any advice given to you by your nail technician.
Avoid long periods of time in water (e.g. long baths, swimming, washing up).
Do not use your nails as tools (e.g. screwdriver or label picking) as this could lead to cracking, chipping and nail splits.The nail products used are formulated to break or split BEFORE your natural nail does and therefore aren’t indestructible.
Never pick or peel the nail product off as this will damage your natural nail resulting in weak, damaged nails that will split and crack more readily.
Avoid filing your nails, pushing your cuticles back, or cleaning the underside of your nails with anything including your own nails. Never use metal tools, only a nail brush to clean the underside of your nails. Doing any of this will break the seal of the gel and can lead to chipping.
Damage at the free edge (that’s the edge at the end of the finger that is filed) is usually caused by picking, knocking, tapping or fiddling. Flexing your nails, tapping on surfaces, fiddling in general should be avoided. No nail technician can provide a service that survives any of the above
Pedicure:
Avoid wearing any tightly fitted footwear after you’ve got your pedicure treatment done at a professional nail salon. Try to wear open-toe shoes.
When cutting your toenails try not to cut them too short or down the sides. This will make them grow inwards.
If you wear socks indoors or outdoors, try to change them as often as possible to keep your toes clean. It is best advised to wear cotton socks.
Dry your feet thoroughly after washing.
Make sure to take time to apply some foot cream once you have finished bathing. This will keep your feet and toes hydrated and moisturised.
Massage the cuticles on your toes with cuticle cream or oil to keep your cuticles feeling soft.
Classic Lashes:
Taking care of your lashes is important so they stay looking their best for as long as possible. Classic and Russian lashes can last up to 4 weeks (though by this time, most extensions will have fallen with your natural lashes due to your lash cycle).
Oil-based products are the enemy - avoid them! Oil breaks down adhesive bonds, meaning your lashes won’t last for as long as they should. Lash Base offers an at home after care goodie bag available to purchase with us.
Avoid cotton wool at all costs. You don’t want the fluff to get caught up in your lashes (trust us, it’s not a good look!)
Don’t panic if a few lashes fall in the first 24 hours after your treatment - this is completely normal while the adhesive is drying. Just take extra care of your lashes during this time.
We recommend you return to your technician for an infill appointment every 2 - 3 weeks.
If you’d like to remove your extensions at any time, you can pop back to see your technician. Removal is super easy and will take no time at all. It’s tempting, but picking your lashes off without professional help is what causes natural lash damage - so don’t do this!
Lash Lift:
Patch test required before treatment.
Requires very little aftercare - so that’s good for you! Just remember to avoid too much mascara and steam baths/saunas for the first 24 hours, but other than that you can treat your lashes as normal.
Tinting:
A patch test will be necessary 24 hours before these treatments.
If you experience any itching or irritation, you should contact us immediately or consult your GP.
Avoid heat treatments for 24 hours.
Avoid sunbathing for 24 hours, as this fades the tint.
Avoid putting your contact lenses back in for the rest of the day.
Do not apply make-up or receive any other eye treatments for at least 24 hours after your treatment.
Do not touch the area treated.
Avoid swimming/sauna for 24hrs.
Avoid perfumed products for 24hrs.
Oil base make up remover can cause the tint to fade faster.
Sun/UV lights can cause the tint to fade faster.
Keep lashes dry for at least 24 to 48 hours.
Effects will start to diminish within 4-6 weeks as hair grows out.
Eyelash colour will last four to six weeks and eyebrow colour 2 -4 weeks.
Can get the treatment done again after 6 weeks.
Tanning:
Pre-car advice-
Ensure all shaving is carried out at least 24 hours prior to your Spray Tan, and waxing at least 48 hours prior to your treatment.
Exfoliate your skin (for 2-3 days if possible) prior to your Spray Tan using an exfoliating body scrub & loofah/exfoliating gloves.
Keep your skin well moisturised for 2-3 days prior to your Spray Tan
Avoid skin care products with contain excessive amounts of oil and/or are oil based. Oil will sit on the surface of your skin and our tanning solutions will not be able to develop to its full potential
We advise clients to wear a clear nail polish on their finger and toe nails as this will prevent any unlikely nail discolouration
On the day…
Please do not apply deodorant, perfumes, make-up or moisturisers 6 hours prior to your treatment – or – please ensure all of these products are rinsed off with clean water before your Spray Tan.
Arrive for your Spray Tan with dry hair, as wet hair may drip onto your skin and cause an un-even result
Avoid wearing white (or your best!) underwear as our Spray Tanning solutions may mark the garments, although in most cases the tanning solution we use will wash out of your clothing. We can provide you with disposable underwear if required.
Remember to bring loose clothing and flip flops with you to wear after your Spray Tan. The first few hours after application are the most crucial, and any tight fitting clothing may affect the results.
Take care of your skin- in the first 4-8 hours after spray tanning will be the difference between orange patchy skin and an amazing golden tan.
After tanning-
Stay away from water. Do not engage in the washing of feet or hands immediately after the session. Stay away from activities that make you sweat. Say no to the gym, swimming or running.
In case of rainy weather, even if it is droplets, carry an umbrella. Even a few drops of water can cause spots of discoloration on your skin.
Use only baggy and loose clothes. Do not use your tight undergarments especially bra at least for 4 hours after the session. It will cause you blotches, streaks or bra lines if you pay no attention.
You must only wear the clothes once you feel that the liquid is absorbed enough into your skin. And use dark clothes and undergarments which you are not concerned about in the case of staining.
Do not use deodorants and perfumes immediately. The presence of alcohol and aluminium in these products will react with your spray tan resulting in uneven spots and blotches.
Wear flipflops, not shoes or long boots. Shoes and boots can hamper the chemicals sprayed and will restrict the development of tan on your feet.
Don’t sweat: Don’t indulge in any activities that will make you sweat out and thus destroying the sprays.
Do not undo your hair immediately as it will obstruct proper tanning in your shoulders.
Let the pedicure and manicure wait till your colour settles down.
Do not apply moisturisers immediately after getting the spray tan.
Electrolysis-
Electrolysis Pre-Care
You must work as close to your pain threshold as possible for the most effective treatment.
Get as comfortable as possible during the treatment.
Avoid sun exposure 48 hours prior to your treatment to avoid dilation of the blood vessels
Female clients may find that they are more sensitive during or right before their menstrual cycle.
Drink plenty of water the day before, the day of and the day after the treatment. Dehydrated follicles are more difficult to treat. Hydration will also help your skin heal more quickly.
Do not use Retin A, Tazorac or any serious retinoid for at least 1 week prior to your electrolysis treatment. Discontinue Accutane for at least 6 months prior to electrolysis.
Pain or the fear of pain should not keep you from getting hair permanently removed if you really want it.
Electrolysis After-Care
Following your treatment, do not touch or scratch the area treated! Bacteria are on everything and by touching your skin you are transferring bacteria from doorknobs, etc. to the treated area. This could cause a breakout.
Do not wash or wear make-up over the treated area for 24 hours. Even washing with soap could cause irritation and possible infection.
Avoid perfume or alcohol-based products. They will dry out your skin.
Apply Bacitracin, Polysporin, Neosporin or another antibacterial ointment or cream to the treated area the night after your treatment. This will help your skin heal even faster, especially facial areas. Apply with Q-tips or clean hands. If your skin is still irritated on the second day, apply a Hydrocortisone cream (Cortisone, Cortaid, anything with 1% hydrocortisone or hydrocortisone acetate). It is anti-inflammatory and will reduce redness and swelling. Also works on pimples!
Avoid excessive sweating if having work done below the neck. Sweat can cause bacteria to enter into the open follicles and cause minor infection. Exercise before your electrolysis appointment instead of afterward.
Avoid the sun for the next 72 hours to avoid the formation of brown pigment spots. Your skin defends against UV rays by producing pigment, which will deflect some of the harmful rays. If your skin is injured or traumatised it can over-produce pigment in those areas. This can result in hyper-pigmentation. ALWAYS WEAR SUNSCREEN.
Do not swim in a chlorinated pool for the first 48 hours following treatment.
If small scabs appear, do not scratch them away. This can cause scarring. Allow them to fall off naturally. This is natures way of healing the follicle that we have treated (the scabs are lymph fluid that has drained out the follicle and dried up). Keeping the area moisturised will often curtail the formation of scabs. If discomfort should occur in closely treated areas apply an Epsom salt compress: Add 1 tsp. Epsom Salt to 1/2 cup warm water, mix and soak up with a washcloth. Lay washcloth over treated area for 10 minutes and repeat until discomfort subsides.
If you are prevented from coming in as soon as you would like for your next treatment, DO NOT TWEEZE! The offending hair can be clipped off with small scissors.
Remember: Some re-growth is to be expected. If you return when the first re-growth occurs, the roots are shorter and weaker and therefore can be treated more effectively
Dermaplaning-
Following your treatment, it is important to take good care of your skin so that you can maintain your excellent results. Aftercare tips recommended by the experts include:
Avoid the use of saunas or steam rooms and don’t engage in any strenuous exercise for 24 hours.
Avoid using any products on your face which contain exfoliating ingredients for 24 hours to avoid irritating your skin any further.
Do not wear any makeup for 24 hours.
Do not book in any other facial treatments until 2 weeks after your Dermaplaning.
Follow a very simple skincare routine for 2 weeks post-treatment. Cleanse your skin gently using water only or a very mild cleanser.
It is important to moisturise your freshly exfoliated skin regularly to rehydrate it. Many people find that products containing hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and retinol are particularly effective post Dermaplaning treatment
Do not rub your skin dry, instead pat it gently.
Avoid the use of any harsh cleaning products.
Avoid using a washcloth, instead just use your clean fingers to cleanse your face.
Steer clear of direct sun exposure for 2 weeks post-treatment and then use a high factor sunscreen (SPF 30+) to protect your delicate facial skin.
Massage:
Water is your post-massage best friend.
If we had to choose just one piece of massage aftercare advice, it would be this: drink plenty of water. Why drink water after a massage? Well there are a bundle of reasons:
During a massage, built-up toxins are released. That’s great, but they need to be expelled from your body. Your kidneys do the brilliant job of eliminating toxins from your system and they need water to work and push these free radicals out.
If you’re feeling lingering soreness after a deep tissue massage, water is also the primary solution. Simply drinking some extra water can help to shift soreness.
Massages can also be quite dehydrating. They usually take place in a nice warm environment and your massage therapist is actively encouraging your soft tissues to expel water. So the best thing to do after a massage is to have a lovely long drink of water to get your hydration back up.
Avoid alcohol or caffeine.
We promise that abstaining from caffeine or alcohol for at least 12 hours or so after a massage will make you feel fab. Both are dehydrating and won’t help your body eliminate the toxins that are on the move thanks to the massage.
Take it easy- we’re also giving you permission to skip that run or trip to the gym in the next 12 hours. Strenuous activity is best avoided for 12-24 hours after a massage as it will help ensure you benefit from relaxed muscles and overcome any lingering soreness. Getting back to high impact activity straight after a massage will simply halt the good post-massage feeling you’re trying to hold onto.
If you’ve had an intense deep tissue massage, or your therapist was working hard on a particular tense spot, you may be experiencing some discomfort. Pain after a massage isn’t a bad thing per se. Headaches, soreness and sluggishness are all normal after-effects of a good massage, particularly a deep tissue one.
All of the tips above will help.