Professional Waxing at LRC: Lycon Wax, Skin Prep and Aftercare

The difference between a good waxing experience and a poor one is rarely the wax itself. It’s the technique, the preparation, the product temperature, and what happens in the 48 hours on either side of the appointment. Professional waxing done well is comfortable, thorough, and leaves the skin smooth without the redness, sensitivity or ingrown hair cycle that puts many patients off waxing entirely.

At The London Road Clinic we use Lycon, a professional wax brand that was the reason we chose waxing over other forms of hair removal for clinic use. This article explains the choice, how to prepare, what to expect, and how to manage the skin between appointments.

Why Lycon

Lycon is an Australian professional wax brand with a specific technical advantage over standard waxing products: a low-melt temperature of around 41 degrees Celsius, significantly below the temperature most salon waxes require. Lower temperature means less thermal stress on the skin, which matters particularly for sensitive areas, reactive skin types, and patients who find conventional waxing uncomfortable.

Lycon hard wax, used for areas like the bikini line, underarms and face, is formulated to grip the hair shaft rather than adhering to the skin itself. This is the mechanical distinction that makes hard wax gentler than strip wax for sensitive zones: when it sets and is removed, it takes the hair with it and leaves the skin largely unaffected. Bruising and skin lifting, the two most common complaints with poorly performed waxing, are significantly less likely with a correctly applied hard wax at the right temperature.

Lycon also has reliable efficacy at shorter hair lengths, typically from around 2 to 3 millimetres, which matters for patients who don’t want to grow hair out to the 5 to 10 millimetres that many other wax formulations require.

Strip wax, which Lycon also produces, is used for larger areas like legs and back where the mechanics of hard wax would make the treatment impractical. The same low-temperature formulation applies.

Areas We Treat

We offer professional waxing across most body areas:

• Face: upper lip, chin, cheeks, brows, full face
• Underarms
• Arms and hands
• Legs: lower, upper, or full leg
• Bikini: standard bikini line, Brazilian, Hollywood
• Back and shoulders
• Chest and abdomen

We discuss the specific areas and any skin concerns at the start of each appointment. First-time patients, or those switching from another form of hair removal, benefit from a brief consultation before we begin.

Preparing Your Skin

Good preparation makes a meaningful difference to the result and to the experience.

Hair length. Lycon works on hair from around 2 to 3 millimetres, though 5 millimetres produces more reliable results. If you’re coming from shaving, three to four weeks of growth is usually sufficient. Don’t trim or shave down immediately before your appointment.

Exfoliation. Gentle exfoliation 24 to 48 hours before your appointment removes the dead skin cell accumulation around the follicle opening, giving the hair a clearer exit path and reducing the likelihood of ingrown hairs in the days after treatment. Do not exfoliate immediately before your appointment, freshly exfoliated skin is more sensitive and slightly more prone to reaction. Leave at least 24 hours between exfoliating and waxing.

On the day. Arrive with clean, dry skin. No body oils, lotion, or self-tan on the areas being waxed. Products on the skin prevent the wax from gripping the hair cleanly and can transfer into the pot, contaminating it. A simple shower beforehand with no product application to the wax areas is the right preparation.

Sun exposure. Avoid direct sun exposure, sunbeds, or sunburn to the treatment areas in the 24 to 48 hours before your appointment. Waxing on sunburned skin risks skin lifting, significant discomfort, and delayed healing.

Retinoids and exfoliating actives. If you use topical retinol, retinaldehyde or prescription-strength retinoids, pause them for at least 48 to 72 hours before facial waxing. Retinoids reduce the adhesion between skin cells, which means the skin surface is more vulnerable to being lifted along with the wax if the product is still active. For body areas, the same principle applies but the risk is lower as skin tends to be less sensitised than facial skin.

Isotretinoin. Patients currently taking or recently completing isotretinoin (oral vitamin A therapy) should not have waxing. Isotretinoin significantly alters skin cell turnover and structural integrity, making the skin fragile and prone to lifting, tearing or healing poorly after waxing. We require a minimum of six months after completing isotretinoin before waxing any area.

The Treatment Experience

At the start of your appointment, the therapist will check the treatment areas, ask about any skincare products in use and any skin conditions relevant to the areas being treated, and cleanse the skin.

For hard wax areas, the wax is applied in a controlled layer, allowed to set to a flexible consistency, then removed in one confident motion against the direction of hair growth. The sensation is a brief pull and sting, familiar to anyone who has waxed before, and manageable for most patients. The low temperature of Lycon makes the initial application phase comfortable: there’s no risk of a too-hot product on the skin.

For strip wax areas, the wax is applied in a thin layer, a strip is pressed on, and the hair is removed along with the strip. Multiple passes cover the area systematically.

After removal, any remaining hair that didn’t exit cleanly is addressed with tweezers. A post-wax soothing lotion is applied to calm redness and close the follicle opening.

The full appointment time depends on the areas being treated. An upper lip takes five minutes. Full legs with bikini takes closer to an hour. We confirm the expected time when you book.

Aftercare

The 48 hours after waxing are when the skin is most reactive. The follicle opening is temporarily enlarged, the skin surface has been slightly disturbed, and the area is more susceptible to irritation, ingrown hairs, and bacterial entry.

What to avoid for 24 to 48 hours:

• Hot baths, hot showers, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs
• Vigorous exercise that produces significant sweating
• Direct sun exposure and sunbeds to waxed areas
• Tight, synthetic clothing on freshly waxed skin, particularly the bikini area
• Fragranced products, exfoliants, AHAs, BHAs, and retinoids on the waxed area
• Swimming in chlorinated pools

What to do:

• Cool or lukewarm shower on the day if needed
• Fragrance-free, non-comedogenic moisturiser to the waxed area after 24 hours
• Loose, breathable clothing, particularly over the bikini area
• SPF on any waxed facial area before sun exposure, once the skin has settled

Preventing Ingrown Hairs Between Appointments

Ingrown hairs are the most common complaint following waxing, and in most patients they’re preventable rather than inevitable. The mechanism is straightforward: as the hair regrows, it can curl back into the skin or fail to exit the follicle opening, particularly if there’s dead skin cell accumulation blocking its path.

The most effective preventive is regular chemical exfoliation with a salicylic acid (BHA) product applied every two to three days from 48 hours after waxing until the next appointment. Salicylic acid is oil-soluble and clears follicular debris, giving the regrowing hair a clear exit. Glycolic acid also supports cell turnover and reduces surface accumulation.

Consistent moisturising of the waxed area keeps the skin supple and the follicle opening pliable. Tight clothing, particularly in the bikini area, presses the skin surface against regrowing hair and increases the likelihood of re-entry into the follicle.

The ingrown hairs and folliculitis guide covers the full management approach, including when ingrown hairs are significant enough to warrant considering laser hair removal as a longer-term solution.

When to Consider Laser Instead

Professional waxing is a well-managed, effective approach to hair removal for most patients. For patients who experience frequent, significant or pigmentation-producing ingrown hairs regardless of aftercare, or who find the ongoing waxing schedule disruptive, laser hair removal with the Cynosure Elite+ is the more permanent alternative.

Laser removes the underlying cause of ingrown hairs, not just the hair itself, by progressively reducing the density and coarseness of regrowth. It suits a wider range of patients than it used to, with the Nd:YAG 1064nm wavelength treating darker skin types that older devices couldn’t safely manage.

The two approaches can co-exist: patients often continue waxing during the early sessions of a laser course, reducing frequency as the hair density declines. We discuss the transition at consultation when patients are considering the switch.

When Waxing Isn’t Appropriate

We’ll advise against waxing on a specific area if:

• The skin is sunburned, broken, actively inflamed or infected
• There is active eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis in the treatment area
• You’re on or recently completed isotretinoin (six-month window required)
• You’re using topical retinoids without sufficient pause beforehand
• You have a skin condition that affects healing in the treatment area
• You’ve had recent cosmetic treatment to the area, laser, peels, microneedling, without sufficient recovery time. We’ll advise specifically based on what you’ve had and how recently

If you’re uncertain about any of these, mention it when you book and we’ll advise before the appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does hair need to be before I can wax?

Lycon can treat hair from around 2 to 3 millimetres, shorter than most wax products require. For the most reliable results, 5 millimetres is better. If you’re transitioning from shaving, three to four weeks of growth is usually sufficient. Don’t trim immediately before your appointment: a consistent length across the area produces a more thorough result.

How long do waxing results last?

Most patients find waxing results last three to five weeks depending on the area, hair type, and individual growth rate. The bikini and underarm areas tend to regrow faster than legs. Patients who wax regularly often find that regrowth becomes finer and sparser over time, as repeated removal from the root weakens the follicle progressively.

Does waxing hurt?

The sensation is a brief pull and sting at each removal, lasting less than a second. Lycon’s low melt temperature makes the application comfortable, and the hard wax formula grips hair rather than skin, which reduces the sharp lifting sensation associated with strip wax in sensitive areas. Most patients find it very manageable. The bikini and upper lip areas tend to be the most sensitive. Skin is often more reactive in the days before a period due to hormonal changes in skin sensitivity; booking around this can help.

Can I wax if I’m pregnant?

Generally yes, with some caveats. Skin can be more sensitive during pregnancy due to hormonal changes, and the bikini area in particular may be more reactive. We recommend Lycon for its low temperature and gentle hard wax formulation for pregnant patients. We’d advise against treatments in the first trimester unless necessary, and we follow individual patient guidance. If you have any concerns, check with your midwife first.

Can I wax if I use retinoids?

For facial waxing, pause your retinoid for at least 48 to 72 hours beforehand. Retinoids reduce cell adhesion in the skin surface, making it more susceptible to lifting during waxing. Continuing retinoid use through facial waxing without a pause risks removing the skin surface along with the hair, causing sensitivity, soreness and occasionally superficial abrasion. For body areas, the risk is lower but the same principle applies. If you’re on prescription-strength tretinoin, follow the same pause. If you’ve recently increased your retinoid concentration, allow the skin to fully adjust before booking.

How do I prevent ingrown hairs after waxing?

Chemical exfoliation with salicylic acid, starting 48 hours after waxing and used every two to three days until the next appointment, is the most effective preventive. It clears the follicle opening and gives regrowing hair a clear exit. Avoid tight clothing over the waxed area during regrowth. Keep skin moisturised. If ingrown hairs are a persistent problem despite good aftercare, laser hair removal may be a better long-term route and we’ll discuss this at consultation.

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Related reading

• Ingrown hairs and folliculitis
• Patient guide: Cynosure Elite+ laser hair removal
• Homecare between treatments
• Sun damage prevention and SPF guide