WAXING

Waxing hair removal uses a resin-based wax like product to remove the entire hair follicle from the root. Results can last up to six weeks.

Wax on.

With soft wax, also called strip wax, warm or cold wax is spread over hair in the direction of its growth and a paper or cloth strip is then placed on top to help remove the wax and hair. Hard wax, also called stripless wax, doesn’t require a strip because it cools solid enough, and becomes a strip in itself. Pre-made strips (where wax is already attached to a strip) work best when a little friction over it helps generate some heat for the wax to soften and better adhere to the hair. Each wax has areas on the body where it works best and a licensed, trained esthetician is best to know where it works the best.

Wax off.

The wax is pulled off in the opposite direction of hair growth. The entire hair follicle should be removed from the root if the waxing is done correctly.

The Pros

1. Overall, it can be done fairly quickly. It’s not as fast as shaving, but each hair doesn’t have to be individually removed like in tweezing. Wax can be spread over large amounts of hair and removed all at once. For example, an esthetician experienced waxing hair can get both full legs (ankle up to bikini line) done in about an hour, or less with speed waxing.

2. Wax at-home or make an appointment. Entire waxing kits, supplies, and even videos can be found at your local beauty supply store. (Be aware of conditions or circumstances in which you shouldn’t wax, watch a video so you know what you’re doing, and follow all waxing instructions.) Or you can get a professional service, offered at most salons and spas.

3. Temporary results can turn into permanent. Over time, frequent waxing can cause the hair follicle to become damaged and stop growing hair.

The Cons

1. You have to be hairy before getting smooth. About one-quarter of an inch of hair is needed for the wax to adhere, which is approximately three to four weeks of hair growth.

2. Resultslastforacoupleweeks.Waxing can keep an area hair-free for up to six weeks, but be back in as little as two weeks. Sure, that’s much longer compared to shaving. But that can seem all too soon, once you have paid a pretty penny for a professional service or took the time and effort to wax yourself.

3. Lack of knowledge or cleanliness can lead to disaster. If waxing contraindications (circumstances or conditions when you shouldn’t get waxed) are simply unknown or ignored, the skin could end up extremely red, burned, and even become scabby. Salons or spas not adhering to safe and sanitary waxing procedures could give a client a skin infection, or even disease.

4. It’s not as easy as it looks. The inexperienced often find waxing hair removal messy, slow, and difficult. They usually end up breaking a lot of hair above or below the surface, instead of removing the entire hair follicle from the root. Hair will grow back much quicker if it’s only broken, and not removed.

5. Generally, you can only wax on, wax off once. When you wax an area and all of the hair doesn’t come off, you shouldn’t try to wax over it again, or skin can become irritated or even bleed. That can be pretty frustrating if large patches of hair are left, so you’ll have to tweeze or shave them (On some skin types, hard wax can be applied more than once in a row).