Before you begin shaving, make sure your razor is clean and sharp. Sharp blades move over the skin easily (blunt ones will tug on the skin and hair causing irritation). Replace your blades regularly when you see they become dull.  Clean blades will avoid bacteria spreading and settling in your pores, which will help prevent shaving pimples from forming. Choose a razor with a flexible head that conforms to your contours, and has more than one blade. Gently exfoliate using a soft brush or exfoliating gel to eliminate dead skin cells, clear follicles to allow hairs to surface. Exfoliating will also let your razor glide smoothly over the skin, and can help raise stubble to prevent razor bumps and make the hair easier to cut.

If you have longer hairs, first trim them to a shorter length, this way you’ll better see what you’ll be shaving afterwards and this will prevent hairs from getting stuck in the blades. This will also save you from an uncomfortable pulling sensation on your skin and potential irritation.

Always try to shave at the end of a showering session – hairs sufficiently softened by warm water will make them easier to cut. Avoid dry shaving, this often results in skin irritation, and can cause excessive dry skin. Avoid using any foams or soaps, which dry out the skin and hair. Instead, use gel or cream for shaving, which will make for a much more comfortable experience. If you are planning to apply a Lumea treatment directly after showering, make sure you don’t shower too hot. When you shower hot, your skin can get very red, which can decrease the effectiveness of a Lumea treatment. 

To avoid irritation while shaving, don’t shave too closely or use too much pressure. Shaving too closely can cut hairs under the skin, and can result in an ingrown hair. Redness and razor bumps are caused by friction from shaving too long, too hard, or both – so try to shave with the least pressure possible, and avoid passing one area multiple times. Ensure you rinse the blade after each stroke. 

Skin in the underarms and intimate areas is thinner and less taut compared to the legs. When you are shaving in these delicate areas, hold the skin taut while you shave, this will make it less likely to cut the hairs below the skin, and there is less possibility of the blade catching on your skin and hair. Hair in the bikini area also tends to be more coarse and curly, making it an area where ingrown hairs are more likely to form, so be extra gentle there!

Shaving removes the top layer of cells on the skin and can damage the skin barrier; therefore, hydrating the skin with a good moisturizer after shaving is crucial. This can help restore the skin barrier, reduce irritation and inflammation, and hydrate the skin. Moisturize immediately after showering or bathing when the skin is a bit damp to best moisturize your skin. If your skin is sensitive, choose for a soft, scent-free lotion or cream as chemically added scents can irritate the skin. In intimate areas, you can buy a mild balm especially for that area that contains soothing ingredients such as aloe vera or tea tree oil. For your bikini area, we recommend avoiding tight or synthetic underwear for several days. Cotton undies will help your skin breathe and will irritate the skin less. If you plan to do a Lumea treatment immediately after shaving, make sure your skin is clear of any skincare products and completely dry, and complete your shaving aftercare after you have applied your Lumea treatment.

In between shaving sessions, gently exfoliate using a soft brush or exfoliating gel to clear follicles to prevent any ingrown hairs, and help dislodge any hairs that have grown in. Exfoliating also helps restore the natural shine of the skin, as removing dead skin cells will prevent your skin from getting a dull appearance. You should exfoliate 1-2 times per week, but not more, as this can irritate the skin and damage the skin barrier. 

You can use Lumea any time after shaving, as long as you are not experiencing any skin reactions from shaving (i.e. inflamed hair follicles, itching, redness).  If you do experience any side effects, it is best to wait until they subside before using Lumea. Make sure before applying your Lumea treatment that your skin is clear of any skincare products, completely dry, and hair-free. When you start using Lumea, dry skin and itching may occur due to a combination of shaving and light treatment. If you experience this, you can cool the area after your treatment with an ice pack or a wet face cloth. Alternatively, store your moisturizer in the fridge to give a soothing cooling sensation while moisturizing your dry skin after a Lumea treatment. Remember, you can shave as often as you like in between your Lumea treatments! 

To be done faster and with less uncomfortable pulling of the skin, choose an epilator that rotates quickly. Lower speed settings are usually for finer hair, and higher settings for coarser hair. If comfort is a concern, some epilators come with a skin stretcher attachment, which reduces discomfort during epilating. You can also consider buying an epilator that can be used under the shower for a more comfortable experience; however, dry epilating will be more effective. Before epilating use a gentle exfoliating brush or gel to remove dead skin cells and reduce the risk of ingrown hairs, this will also make the hairs easier to grip by the epilator. Make sure the skin is clear of any moisturizers, makeup, or lotion, which might also affect the ability of the epilator to properly grip the hairs. The epilator head should be clean before you start.

For comfortable epilation, hairs should be no longer than 5 mm. If they are longer, consider trimming before epilation. The most sensitive time to epilate is the days before, during, and after your period, so we recommend avoiding epilation during this time. When you epilate, you may experience red irritated bumps and dots, and possibly blood spots on areas with coarser hair, therefore we recommend to epilate at night before going to bed, so your skin has time to rest before showing it off. 

Choose the attachment for the body part you want to epilate. Some epilators have attachments for sensitive body areas so that you can work safely on the armpits and bikini area. The most sensitive areas for epilating are: the face, underarms, back of knees, bikini zone, and ankles.

Place the epilator at a 75-degree angle onto the skin surface, and glide the epilator in a steady slow movement over a small area against the hair growth until the hair is clear. Don’t move too fast with the epilator, as this can result in hair breakage if the hair is pulled from the wrong angle. Do not use long strokes as you do with shaving. While epilating make sure to pay attention to the direction of the hair growth, as hair may grow in many different directions, so vary the direction of your strokes accordingly. If hair is growing in many directions, use smaller and smaller strokes. In some body areas, such as the underarms and bikini area, the skin is looser and thinner. In these areas, stretch the skin so it is taut while you epilate for a more comfortable experience, and to minimize the chance of ingrown hairs. If your epilator has a skin stretching attachment, it will do this for you.

You may notice your skin is a bit irritated and painful right after epilation. We recommend storing your moisturizer or aloe vera in the fridge, and applying after epilating to give a soothing cooling sensation to help the skin quickly calm down. In the first 24-48 hours after epilating, you should avoid: sunbathing, very hot baths, friction from tight clothing, and perfumed body lotions and creams as the skin can become easily irritated. In between epilation sessions, you can gently exfoliate to help clear away dead skin cells to avoid any ingrown hairs from forming. Depending on how quickly your hair grows back, you should epilate every 2-3 weeks. Since the root of the hair is also removed, the new hair that grows back is usually finer and softer. 

After epilating, you should wait at least 24 hrs. before using Lumea to let the skin rest. However, if you have any redness or irritation lasting from your epilation you should wait to use the Lumea until this irritation has subsided. Just make sure to apply your Lumea treatment before any stubbles are visible again. In the initial phase of your Lumea usage, you will need to apply a Lumea treatment every 2 weeks. Typically, with epilation hairs begin to grow back after 2-3 weeks. If you are due for a Lumea treatment and your hair is not long enough to epilate but you already have stubbles, you can use another pre-treatment method before your Lumea treatment. Therefore, we advise you to think carefully about your timing! 

Before waxing ensure optimal hair length, this is about 6 mm long (the length of a grain of rice, approx. 10-14 days of growth). If the hair is longer, trim it to a shorter length so that waxing will be less messy and painful.

There are a variety of at-home waxing options, which fall into hard and soft wax. Soft wax, also known as strip wax, requires a strip to remove. There are different types of soft wax: heated, cold, and pre-made strips. Heated wax is usually in a heated pot that softens the wax to appropriate temperature using a warmer, making the wax easier to spread. Cold wax is taken directly from the pot and applied to the skin without being heated. Although it’s convenient it is a bit firmer and tricky to spread, and some people find it more painful to remove. Pre-made strips have the wax already attached to the cloth – they are easy to use, not messy, and there’s no chance of applying too much wax. They are warmed up by rubbing them between your hands. Hard wax, also called stripless wax, doesn’t require a strip to remove. Hard wax always needs to be warmed up, and is applied in a thicker layer than soft wax in the direction of hair-growth. As the wax hardens it “shrink wraps” the hair, and then becomes a strip in itself. You can decide for yourself what you feel will work best for you!

24 to 48 hours before waxing, gently exfoliate your skin to remove any dead skin cells and sebum. Before you start your wax, gently wash the area you’re about to wax to remove dirt, dead skin cells, and skin care products. Afterwards, dry your skin thoroughly. Clean, dry skin allows the wax to adhere properly to your hairs. You should not wax if you have used any over-the-counter skin care products containing retinol and prescription retinoids 2 to 5 day before waxing, to avoid removing any skin along with your hair. Never wax sunburnt or very sensitive skin.  There are times when your skin is more sensitive than others, and we recommend avoiding waxing a few days before, during, and after your period as your skin will be most sensitive during this time. 

The steps you take during waxing may vary depending on which type of wax you are using. If you are using heated wax, start by warming the wax. Follow the directions on the package, and always test the temperature of the wax by applying a small amount inside your wrist, it should be warm, but it should not hurt or burn. 

Apply the wax to a small section of skin with unwanted hair, and spread in the direction of hair growth. Apply the cloth strip, and press down firmly. Leave the cloth on for 2 to 3 seconds, and then remove the strip by holding your skin taut with one hand, and using your other hand to quickly pull of the cloth in the opposite direction of hair-growth. If you’re waxing a tricky to reach spot, such as the underarms, consider asking a friend or relative to help you.

When you’re done, you might notice some waxy residue left behind on your skin. To remove residual wax, use oil to remove it. There are special oils and wipes you can buy for this, but you can also just use baby oil, massage oil, olive oil or an oil based lotion. Apply a small amount of oil to a cotton ball, and hold it over the waxy spot for about 30 seconds, then rub away the wax. Wash your skin afterwards using soap and water to get rid of the excess oil.

After waxing, avoid hot baths or showers, and try to wear loose fitting clothes to let your skin rest. If you are experiencing pain, apply cold packs or a wet cloth. Apply a soothing moisturizer to help restore the skin barrier, reduce irritation and inflammation, and hydrate the skin. For a more soothing sensation, try storing your moisturizer in the fridge for a cooling sensation when you apply it. In the days after your wax, use sun protection when exposing skin to the sun, as your skin will be especially sensitive. In between waxing sessions, you can exfoliate to reduce the chance of ingrown hairs.

When waxing, we recommend waiting at least 24 hours to let the skin rest before doing a Lumea treatment. Before applying any Lumea treatment, ensure your skin is free of any skincare products, wax, or oil, and that the skin is completely hair-free. Sometimes after waxing some hairs and stubbles are left behind, make sure these are removed before applying your Lumea treatment. In the initial phase of your Lumea usage, you will need to apply a Lumea treatment every 2 weeks. Typically, with waxing hairs begin to grow back after 2-3 weeks. If you are due for a Lumea treatment and your hair is not long enough to wax but you already have stubbles, you can use another pre-treatment method before your Lumea treatment. Therefore, we advise you to think carefully about your timing!

Before your waxing appointment ensure your hair is the optimal length, about 6 mm long (the length of a grain of rice, approx. 10-14 days of growth). Let your wax specialist judge if the hair is too long, they will trim the hair for you at the salon if needed, as sometimes when you trim at home you might end up going too short. Book your appointment at a time when your skin is least sensitive, so avoid scheduling an appointment a few days before, during, or after your period. Also, try to avoid scheduling an appointment just before a day you plan to spend lots of time in the sun. If you get a sunburn, freshly waxed skin will be especially painful. When you make your appointment, inform your wax specialist about any allergies or health conditions you have, and if you are using any retinoids or alpha hydroxy acids, which are not compatible with waxing. 

On the day of your appointment, make sure you shower before you go, and wear comfortable loose fitting clothing. After being waxed, you’ll want soft comfortable clothing to avoid irritating your skin after the appointment! 

Between your waxing appointments, ensure to cleanse, exfoliate, and moisturize your skin well; this will help avoid ingrown hairs from forming, and will also keep your skin and hair hydrated for a more pleasant waxing experience the next time you go. Resist the urge to shave between waxing sessions, as shaving can chafe the skin and create sharper coarser hair. Your wax specialist will advise you on the best aftercare following your wax. 

When waxing, we recommend waiting at least 24 hours to let the skin rest before doing a Lumea treatment. Before applying any Lumea treatment, ensure your skin is free of any skincare products, wax, or oil, and that the skin is completely hair-free. Sometimes after waxing some hairs and stubbles are left behind, make sure these are removed before applying your Lumea treatment. In the initial phase of your Lumea usage, you will need to apply a Lumea treatment every 2 weeks. Typically, with waxing hairs begin to grow back after 2-3 weeks. If you are due for a Lumea treatment and your hair is not long enough to wax but you already have stubbles, you can use another pre-treatment method before your Lumea treatment. Therefore, we advise you to think carefully about your timing!

If you are planning to cut your hair to the skin, you should pre-trim hairs first. This will prevent tugging on long hairs, which may cause an uncomfortable shave or skin bumps. Before you start, make sure the skin is clean and dry. Moist skin will stop the trimmer/electric shaver from moving smoothly across your skin. So, if you shower before trimming, wait at least 5 minutes to dry off completely. You should always try to trim/electric shave after you take a shower, this way you’re nice and clean and minimize the chance of introducing bacteria in the areas you plan to remove hair.  

For a close shave, run the trimmer against the grain of the hair. Use your free hand to slightly pull and tighten the skin, so the hair is standing upright for a cleaner cut. This is especially important for areas with less taut skin, like your underarms and bikini area. Holding the skin taut can also reduce the chance of cutting hair below the skin surface, which could result in an ingrown hair. While you trim/electric shave, never use extensive pressure, which might cause irritability. Using a small mirror can help you see what you are doing, avoid any nicks or cuts, and avoid neck strain. Try not go over delicate areas, like the bikini zone or underarms, too many times to minimize causing additional irritation. Make sure you don’t use an electric shaver with rotating heads! This can cause painful razor burns and skin may get pinched. Best to stick with a trimmer/electric shaver made for female body grooming. 

Clean your trimmer after each use to avoid build-up of hairs in the trimmer, this will ensure your trimmer lasts longer. A waterproof trimmer can be handy for this as you can rinse hairs out. If you want to be extra careful, you can buy a cleaning solution made especially for trimmers/electric shavers. This will make sure you never have bacteria hanging around on your trimmer/electric shaver for the next time you use it!

When you’re finished trimming/electric shaving, splash some cold water on the area to close the pores and minimize irritation. Any type of hair-removal removes the top layer of cells on the skin and can damage the skin barrier; therefore, you should hydrate with a good moisturizer after trimming/electric shaving. A moisturizer can help restore the skin barrier, reduce irritation, and hydrate the skin.

If you are planning to use Lumea on areas where you are trimming, make sure you have trimmed the hair to the skin! Using Lumea on areas with longer hairs or stubbles will cause a painful sensation during Lumea usage, may cause an unpleasant smell of burnt hair, and makes the Lumea treatment less effective. Therefore, it is best to use Lumea shortly after trimming before the hairs will grow out longer. Make sure before applying any Lumea treatment that your skin is clear of any skincare products, completely dry, and hair-free.

Before you begin tweezing hair, cleanse your skin. It’s important to start with clean skin to avoid any dirt and bacteria entering the pores where you have tweezed the hair to avoid breakouts. If you don’t have time to wash your face, apply a bit of toner or micellar water to a cotton ball and gently swipe it along the area you want to tweeze hairs. For a more comfortable tweezing experience, place a warm wash cloth over the area you’re going to tweeze, this will help open the pores and make hair easier to pull out. Before you begin tweezing though, make sure the skin and hair are dry, which will make it easier for the tweezers to grasp the hair. 

Decide the type of tweezers you’ll need. For facial tweezing, we recommend using slanted tweezers – these have a flat end that is slanted down at an angle – they are ideal for plucking hairs that grow close to the skin. Pointed tip tweezers have a sharp point at the end, and are ideal for tweezing very thin or short hairs, and can also be used to tweeze ingrowns or remove splinters. Pointed slant tweezers combine slanted and pointed tip tweezers, which combine the benefits of both. Flat tip tweezers have a flat end that is not slanted, and are generally not recommended for tweezing as they tend to grab too many hairs at once and pull unevenly. 

Use a mirror in a well-lit spot. Many people use a magnified mirror so they can see every little hair, but this can lead to over tweezing. Instead, use a mirror that is in a very well lit area. If you can't see the hair easily in front of a well-lit mirror, then neither can anyone else.

Grab the hair as close to the base as possible without pinching your skin. If you don’t grab hair from the base, the hair may break off and not be removed from the root, leaving you with stubble. Tweeze the hair in the direction of hair growth; this will make the hair come out as easily as possible. If you pull the hair in the opposite direction that it grows, you will probably experience more pain than is necessary, and the hair will be more difficult to pull out. While tweezing place a finger against the skin where you are pulling the hair out to keep your skin taut – this will help minimize discomfort when you are pulling the hair. 

Splash cool water on the skin after tweezing. This will help soothe your skin where you have removed hairs, and reduce redness and inflammation. Then pat the skin dry with a towel. 

Afterwards you can apply a moisturizer to the area to soothe and repair the skin. We recommend placing your moisturizer in the fridge; this keeps the moisturizer cool and can help create a soothing sensation after hair removal. If you are feeling a lot of pain after tweezing, applying a cold compress to the area may also help soothe the painful sensation.

When removing hair from the root it is best to wait 24 hours before using Lumea to let the skin rest. If you are using tweezing as the main method for your face, remember, Lumea can only be used below the cheekbones. We recommend Lumea for use on your jawline, neck, and the area above the upper lip (be careful not to flash on the lip itself, as this can be painful!). Make sure before applying any Lumea treatment that your skin is clear of any skincare products, completely dry, and hair-free.

Sometimes, tweezing can result in redness and irritation of the skin, breakouts, as well as ingrown hairs. There are some important things you can do before and after tweezing, and with your tweezing technique to ensure these side effects don’t occur. 

To avoid breakouts, it’s important to have a diligent routine before and after tweezing in cleansing your skin and taking care of basic hygiene to ensure no bacteria enters your hair follicle. To be extra careful, wash your tweezers with warm soap and water before and after a tweezing session to make sure they stay free of bacteria. 

Proper tweezing technique will help avoid ingrown hairs from forming. Ingrown hairs can happen when hairs break while tweezing, instead of being removed from the root. A broken hair has a blunt tip and makes it difficult to break through the skin, which can result in an ingrown hair. To avoid hair breakage, always grab the hair as close to the base as possible, hold the skin taut wile tweezing, and pull hair out in the direction of hair-growth. Pulling in the direction of hair growth also helps prevent distorted follicles, which can lead to inflammation and redness. You might read online that chemical exfoliants such as salicylic acid or alpha hydroxy acids can help with ingrown hairs; however, these chemical exfoliants are, like any other depilatory or hair removal cream, not compatible with IPL treatment and should not be used on areas you plan to use Lumea.

If you experience inflammation and redness after tweezing, you can apply a cold compress to soothe the area and reduce inflammation. Additionally, it is important to keep the area well moisturized in between tweezing sessions, and you can gently exfoliate the area to remove dead skin and sebum to prevent hair follicles from being blocked and causing an ingrown hair. Remember, you should never use Lumea on inflamed follicles or irritated skin, so we advise not to use Lumea until your skin reactions are solved. Luckily, after regular Lumea usage, your hairs should stop growing, and you won’t need to worry about skin reactions from hair-removal anymore. In studies conducted with Lumea, 58% of women agree to the statement “By using Lumea I can say goodbye to ingrown hairs.”