Waxing — Side Burns

Sideburn waxing removes hair along the sides of the face in front of the ears, softening the hairline where it meets the cheek.

This area often has a mix of fine and coarser hair and can create a visible shadow that makeup sits awkwardly over. Waxing clears it entirely and defines the hairline, which makes a subtle but noticeable difference to how the face reads.

Your therapist will keep the line natural rather than removing too much — a hard edge here looks obvious.

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 chemical peels, laser treatments or sunburn on the area.

• Consultation and check for contraindications
• Skin cleansed and prepared
• Wax applied and removed in sections
• Stray hairs tweezed for a clean finish
• Soothing product applied
• Aftercare advice

Allow about 15 minutes. Your therapist assesses where the natural hairline should sit, cleanses the area and applies wax in sections.

Strays are tweezed to keep the edge soft rather than hard. Soothing product finishes. Pinkness settles within an hour or two.

Anyone with visible sideburn hair or a shadowy hairline along the cheek. Not suitable if you use retinoids or prescription acne medication on your face.

For the first 24 hours avoid heat and friction: no hot showers or baths, no sauna or steam room, no gym or swimming, and no direct sun or sunbeds. Skip makeup and any scented products on the waxed area, and try not to touch it — freshly waxed skin has open follicles and is easy to irritate.

After 48 hours, start exfoliating gently two or three times a week. This is the single most effective thing you can do to prevent ingrown hairs. Keep the area moisturised too.

Avoid makeup on the area for the rest of the day.

• Let hair grow to about a quarter of an inch — around two weeks
• Don't shave between waxing appointments; it disrupts the growth cycle
• Exfoliate gently from 48 hours afterwards to prevent ingrown hairs
• Avoid heat, sweat and sun for 24 hours
• Tell us about retinoids or acne medication before booking
• Book every three to four weeks to keep hair on the same cycle