Friction, sweat, and bacteria can all increase irritation and extend the necessary recovery time after waxing, so it’s essential to give your skin time to heal before having sex. However, several factors will affect the amount of time between your appointment and any intimate moments you’re planning to have. Today, we’ll discuss why you should wait to have sex after waxing and just how much time your skin needs to heal.
Why do you need to wait before having sex after waxing?
Freshly waxed skin is more susceptible to injury and infection, so you’ll need to treat it with care. Here are a few reasons to hold off on sex immediately after waxing:
Gives skin time to heal
Waxing completely removes hairs at the root, leaving you with open follicles that are vulnerable to bacteria and infection. Having sex too early after waxing can stress your outer layer and damage your moisture barrier.
Avoids further irritation
Your skin will likely be sensitive in the days after waxing, and friction can increase discomfort and the appearance of ingrown hairs, bumps, pimples, and broken skin.
Protects the skin
Waxing naturally exfoliates each treatment area, which is great for smooth, touchable skin but less than ideal for protecting against harmful bacteria. After stripping hairs from the root, your outer layer needs time to heal.
How long should you wait after waxing?
Okay! Now that you know why it’s important to wait to have sex after waxing, here are some general guidelines to help you determine how long to hold off:
Brazilian and bikini waxing
Have a hot date coming up? Wait at least 24 to 48 hours after your waxing session to get down and dirty. This break will give your skin time to heal and allow your follicles adequate time to close.
Leg waxing
If you choose a lower-leg wax, you might be able to get away with waxing 12 hours before having sex, but a complete leg wax may require at least one day to fully recover. Remember, friction can be painful, and bacteria can cause major issues like infection — so it isn’t worth the risk.
Body waxes
Depending on the body part, you should wait between 12 and 48 hours after waxing to have sex. Consider which spots may experience increased rates of friction. If they’re near intimate areas or zones with thinner skin, wait a little longer to be on the safe side.
What happens if you have sex too soon after waxing?
Having sex too soon after waxing can impact your health, comfort, and overall enjoyment during and after the deed. Here are some of the consequences of failing to wait the appropriate time to get up close and personal:
More skin irritation
Friction, sweat, and bacteria are all things to stay away from after waxing, which is why many waxing aftercare tips recommend skipping the gym and wearing loose, comfortable clothing as your skin heals. Sex is the ultimate friction-inducing, sweat-generating, and bacteria-ridden activity there is, so it makes sense to wait until your skin recovers from waxing. Neglecting to do so can result in major irritation and discomfort.
More severe inflammation
There’s usually some amount of inflammation after waxing. After all, your hair removal expert just pulled your hairs out by the root, so your body will naturally respond with redness, swelling, and sensitivity. Unfortunately, sex can increase this sensitivity — and not in a good way.
You can expect a turbocharged inflammatory response marked by more noticeable discoloration, puffiness, and pain. An anti-inflammatory cream may improve your skin’s reaction, but it doesn’t address the root of the problem.
Potential for skin infection
Even healthy skin has a microbiome of bacteria, fungal spores, and other microorganisms. When you have sex too soon after waxing, you expose your open follicles and broken skin to the harmful microbes living on your outer layer and your partner’s skin.
Dangerous skin infections are a key reason to wait on sex after waxing. In addition to folliculitis, you could also risk contact with Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, which can affect far more than the appearance of your skin.
Get expert waxing guidance from the team at Enso Wax!
There’s no better way to get date-ready than a Brazilian wax to leave your skin soft, smooth, and hair-free. But, sex will need to wait until your skin has completely healed from waxing.
Consider using this time to build up the sexual tension and tease your partner a little. When the right time arrives, you’ll both be ready for some enjoyable action that doesn’t risk the health of your skin.
At Enso Wax, we provide salon-quality hard and soft wax, as well as professional-grade wax warmers, so you can be ready for a little private time with your significant other. Browse our collections or contact us today to learn more!
