Waxing — Full Legs

Full leg waxing covers both legs from ankle to upper thigh — the most popular waxing appointment and the one that saves the most time day to day.

Removing leg hair at the root gives two to four weeks of genuinely smooth skin with no stubble phase, no razor bumps and no nicks. Over time, regular waxing on the same cycle tends to mean finer, patchier regrowth.

It's a larger area, so allow a proper hour. Bony areas around the knees and ankles feel sharper than the rest.

Please tell us about any medication before your appointment — retinoids, prescription acne treatments such as isotretinoin, and some antibiotics make skin fragile and waxing unsafe. The same applies to recent laser treatments, peels or sunburn on the area, and to varicose veins or broken skin.

• Consultation and check for contraindications
• Skin cleansed and prepared
• Wax applied and removed across both legs from ankle to upper thigh
• Stray hairs tweezed for a clean finish
• Soothing product applied
• Aftercare advice

Allow about an hour. You lie down while your therapist works up each leg in strips, cleansing first and applying wax section by section.

Bony areas are done in smaller pieces. Once both legs are complete, strays are tweezed and soothing product applied. Pinkness and small bumps are normal for a few hours.

Anyone who wants to stop shaving their legs, and anyone going on holiday or to an event. Not suitable on broken skin, with prescription acne medication, or over varicose veins — tell your therapist first.

For the first 24 hours avoid heat and friction: no hot baths or showers, no sauna or steam room, no gym or swimming, and no direct sun or sunbeds. Wear loose clothing and keep the area clean and untouched — freshly waxed skin has open follicles and is easy to irritate.

From 48 hours, exfoliate gently two or three times a week. This is the single most effective way to prevent ingrown hairs. Moisturise daily too.

• Let hair grow to about a quarter of an inch — roughly two weeks
• Don't shave between appointments; it disrupts the growth cycle
• Exfoliate gently from 48 hours afterwards to prevent ingrown hairs
• Avoid heat, sweat and sun for 24 hours
• Wear loose clothing to your appointment
• Book every three to four weeks to keep hair on the same cycle
• Book two days before a holiday or event, not the same day
• Take a painkiller an hour before if you're sensitive, and avoid caffeine