Waxing — Half Arms

Half arm waxing covers either the forearms from the elbow down, or the upper arms from the elbow up — whichever you prefer. Most people choose the lower half, since that's what's visible most often.

Arm hair is usually finer than leg or underarm hair, which makes this one of the more comfortable areas to wax. Because it's removed at the root, regrowth is soft rather than prickly, and it lasts three to four weeks.

Tell us which half you'd like when you request your appointment.

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 either the lower or upper half of both arms
• Stray hairs tweezed for a clean finish
• Soothing product applied
• Aftercare advice

Allow about 20 minutes. Your therapist confirms which half you want, cleanses the skin and applies wax in strips down the arm.

Both arms are done in turn, strays are tweezed, and soothing product is applied. Pinkness settles within an hour or two.

Anyone who wants their forearms or upper arms hair-free. If you want both halves, the full arm wax is better value. Not suitable on broken skin or if you use prescription acne medication.

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