Exfoliate two to three days before
Exfoliation is a go to when it comes to pre- and post-waxing. However, there is one caveat. "The one thing everyone should do before their waxing appointment is exfoliate," notes Dana Pellegrino, co-owner of The Haven and educator. But she recommends exfoliating two to three days before your appointment. "[A] gentle exfoliator removes dead skin cells and debris in the path of the hair."
Both experts recommend gentle exfoliants, and Pellegrino suggests looking for formulas with jojoba beads. "They are perfectly round, unlike some other scrubs that can be too irregular or sharp, which is very rough on the skin. The jojoba beads roll gently over the skin, removing dead skin cells, restoring the skin and overall appearance." Pekar says a DIY option using oil, granulated sugar and honey can also be a great option.
For coarse hair types, Pellegrino recommends a product containing salicylic acid. "[Salicylic acid] can treat existing ingrown hairs while preventing new ones from forming," she explains. "This ingredient can penetrate deep into the skin while removing any buildup that prevents hair from coming to the surface." We love Kate Somerville's products. ExfoliKate Resurfacing Body Scrub (56 $), which resurfaces and polishes the skin with pumice, lactic and salicylic acids, and enzymes from papaya, pumpkin and pineapple. To really work it, you can try using a body brush like this one (129 $) from Gilded Body.
