Whether shaving every other day feels like a chore or you just haven’t found an esthetician you love, it’s worth learning how to wax your own legs. This DIY hair removal method is surprisingly easy to try at home for hair-free legs all summer long, and, compared to shaving, can even minimize regrowth—so your legs stay stubble-free for longer.
Waxing your leg hair typically involves a waxing kit. Unlike kits for facial hair or a bikini wax, these involve leg wax strips that are big enough to remove a decent swath of body hair (so it doesn’t take forever). Also worth keeping in mind: The legs typically require some hair growth for the wax to grab onto, so it takes a little patience until hair grows in. With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know.
Meet the Expert
Angelica Sele is the founder of Angelica B Beauty, a skincare wellness studio in sunny San Diego for women by women, specializing in Brazilian and full-body waxing for women of all skin tones. She’s well-known for her “almost pain-free” waxing technique.
Prep Like a Pro
Whether it’s your first time or you’re a DIY pro, proper prep is key for getting the best possible results. “Because the skin on the legs is thicker, it can be prone to ingrown hairs,” says Sele. “Use a physical exfoliant like a loofah or sponge to lift any hair trapped under the skin.” She recommends skipping any oil-based body scrubs, which will make it tough for wax to adhere to your leg hair, as well as your morning macchiato: Caffeine can contribute to more sensitive skin, making the process a little less comfortable.
Before you start, make sure you have something to work with. “Allow the hair to grow to ¾ inches or more in length, so there is more to grab onto with the wax,” Sele says. “At a salon, a highly skilled esthetician will be able to wax shorter hair—but this is key for at-home waxing success.”
4 Steps to Smooth
DIY-waxing newbies, don’t worry: “Technique and application are really important for at-home waxing success—it’s a skill,” Sele says. “Practice makes perfect.” She recommends having all of your tools set out and within reach so you don’t have to risk moving around with hot wax on your skin.
1. Wax should tug on the hair, not your skin. So, “First, apply powder to create a barrier to absorb the skin’s oils so the wax will adhere well to the hair,” says Sele. Baby powder will do the trick.
2. Then, take it slow. “When applying wax, a little goes a long way,” she says. “A thin layer is best.”
3. Next, “To avoid breaking the hair and be more successful at pulling it out by its root, pay attention to your hair growth,” she advises. Apply wax in the direction of the hair growth.
4. Finally, pull the strip in the opposite direction of hair growth, keeping the movement parallel to skin—think away, not up.
Comfort and Cool Your Skin
Once you let ’em rip, take a second to comfort your skin. It’s worth it for the best results, says Sele. “You’ll likely break some hairs, so it’s super important to heal and hydrate the skin—and keep in-growns at bay—with products geared towards waxing,” she explains. “This should be intuitive, but avoid shaving any stragglers; instead, use well-sanitized tweezers to pluck remaining hairs.”
Sele also recommends skipping moisturizing lotions for the first 12 hours, and avoiding physical activity and sunbathing for the next 24 hours, since these can lead to irritation. (Pro tip: Don’t wait until you’re about to head to the beach to wax your legs.)
Once you hit three days post-wax, start exfoliating with a chemical exfoliant, such as lactic or glycolic acids. “It will help prevent ingrown hairs, bumps, and discoloration by removing dead skin cells that can clog hair follicles—all while improving the skin’s texture, says Sele. Try AMELIORATE Smoothing Body Exfoliant, which features alpha hydroxy acids to smooth and brighten skin, or CANE + AUSTIN Face & Body Glycolic Acid Scrub, which features glycolic acid.
Then, you’re all set for a few weeks; on average, a leg wax will last about two or three weeks. (“A salon wax will last longer, as the hair is being pulled from the root,” Sele explains.) After your first several times, it’ll feel like second nature—and you can officially retire your razor from leg duty.
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