Timing is everything. That’s true for many things in life, including your next waxing appointment. That’s because the length of your hair matters. Head back to your waxer too soon and your hair will be too short. Wait too long and your hair length will be, too… right?

Can hair actually be too long or too short to wax? We turned to the pros to get the scoop. Read on for everything you need to know about the right hair length for waxing—plus how to prep hair for waxing if you’ve waited a little too long between appointments—straight from experts Robin Evans and Jessica Peisochenski.

What Is the Ideal Hair Length for Waxing?

The ideal length for waxing varies based on where you’re waxing.

• For brows, it’s approximately an eighth of an inch, says Evans.
• For the body, it’s about a quarter of an inch to half an inch—or, as Peisochenski likes to put it, about the length of a sprinkle, which is a quarter-inch long. “Hair must be at least a quarter inch long for the cleanest wax results,” she says.

How Often Should You Wax?

That might lead you to ask how long you should wait between waxing appointments. “For eyebrows, it’s a personal decision. My clients come anywhere from every two weeks to seven weeks,” Evans says. “I recommend every four to five weeks to really keep them maintained and looking perfect.” For body waxing it is approximately the same amount of time. “We recommend starting every four weeks to get all the hair on the same growth cycle,” Peisochenski advises.

There are three stages of hair growth: The anagen, the catagen, and the telogen. “Each cycle lasts up to a month and the telogen phase can last anywhere from three weeks to three months,” Evans says. “So, the hair that you see after a few weeks is usually just one stage of growth and is early enough to wax, but waiting longer would have an additional stage of hair growth past the surface of the skin, giving you a more thorough hair removal and longer time of being clean and fuzz-free.”

That said, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to waxing frequency, and it’s important to remember that everyone’s hair growth is a little different.

What If the Hair Is Too Short?

If your hair is too short, the wax may not be able to grab onto the hair enough for clean removal from the root. When this happens, hairs break, making it almost impossible to achieve a smooth finish.

What If the Hair Is Too Long?

“There’s no such thing as too long for a first wax,” Peisochenski says. “However, once you’ve started your waxing journey, waiting for your hair to get longer can result in ingrown hairs between waxes and may make the experience a bit more uncomfortable.” Plus, the larger your waxing area, the more important it is to stay on schedule to minimize the ouch factor. “Waiting too long between appointments will make for a much more uncomfortable experience—especially for the body, considering you are waxing a larger area,” Evans says.

How to Prepare For Waxing Long Hair

Peisochenski says the two most crucial ways to prepare for waxing are to exfoliate (particularly a day or two before your appointment) and to moisturize daily. “Exfoliate the area two to three times a week to remove skin cell buildup, giving you a closer wax,” she says. “Don’t skip the moisturizer once or twice daily to keep the skin and hair nourished so [the latter] can be removed at the root, giving you longer, smoother results.”

If your hair is longer than the recommended length, there are a few steps you can take before your appointment. But shaving isn’t among them: “Shaving before a wax is not recommended within 14 days of your service,” Peisochenski says. “Once you’ve started your waxing journey we do not recommend shaving between waxes.” 

Instead, carefully trimming is best—but you don’t want to go too short, and the tool matters. “We do not recommend using a trimmer before or in between waxes to ensure the hair is long enough for the wax to remove,” Peisochenski says. “If you decide to trim your hair, we recommend using a tool such as scissors versus an electric trimmer.”

Trimming can be especially helpful if you haven’t kept up with your bikini waxes. “You can use any small grooming scissor, but you also may want to try a safety scissor, like TRIM Personal Care Scissors, [with] a rounded tip,” Evans says. “Trust me on this: You’ll be able to trim down there with much more confidence and ease. For eyebrows, prep isn’t necessary, however, I recommend not tweezing between appointments.”

Other Considerations

Longer hair isn’t the only reason to keep your timing for a wax just right. No matter how long it’s been between waxing appointments—even if your hair is just the right length—skincare prep and avoiding certain things before waxing is essential.

“Avoid prescription products with vitamin A derivatives like Retin A and Tretinoin, and over-the-counter retinol and AHAs before your brow appointment,” Evans says. Some other over-the-counter medications can also trigger sensitivity. “If you are on other forms of medication, consult with your doctor before your reservation,” Peisochenski says.

“Don’t come in immediately after a facial with a peel or a laser treatment,” Evans says. “If you have been in the sun and have a sunburn, wait to wax. And if you are expecting your period, expect more discomfort. If you have a lower threshold for pain, plan accordingly.”