Waxing: Types, Benefits, After-Care & Commonly Asked Quesions About The Hair Removal Process

Are you just beginning your hair removal journey? If you are considering waxing, you have come to the right place.

Waxing is an easy and efficient method to having smooth and hairless skin. With different waxing options available today, this method is often preferred over trimming, shaving, hair removal creams and threading.

Read this article to know all about waxing and whether this quick and affordable way of hair removal is right for your skin type and requirements.

Highlights:

• What Is Waxing?
• Does Waxing Remove Hair Permanently?
• Types Of Waxing For Hair Removal
• Benefits Of Waxing
• How To Do Waxing?
• Waxing After-Care
• Waxing Tips
• Will Waxing My Face Make It Worse?
• Does Waxing Face Grow More Hair?
• Which Waxing Is Best For Hair Removal?
• How Long Will The Results Of Waxing Last?

What Is Waxing?

Simply put, waxing is a semi-permanent hair removal method. One of the most popular ways to remove unwanted body hair, it is both quick and convenient. Moreover, its results are longer lasting when compared to methods such as shaving.

Waxing can help remove unwanted hair from any part of your body like arms, under arms, legs, back, eyebrows, abdomen, face, bikini area and feet. Other hair removal techniques like threading don't give you this flexibility.

History says waxing originated in Egypt before 3000 BC. Today, there are many advanced and effective waxing options available to remove unwanted body hair from any part of the body. Choosing the right waxing option from the many available can enable you to have a smooth and hairless body.

Does Waxing Remove Hair Permanently?

No, waxing is not a permanent solution. Waxing allows effective plucking of the entire hair with the root, from the follicle. The follicle remains barrenfor some time. However, in three to six weeks, depending on the rate of your hair growth, the hair follicle heals itself, and new hair starts to grow.

It is important to remember here, that regular waxing causes damage to hair follicles and also weakens hair. So, many people experience minimal regrowth after this intense hair removal process. But in most cases, the hair follicle heals by itself, and new hair starts to grow. If you continue waxing, then over the long term you will eventually experience slower regrowth. You can also notice thinner and finer regrowth.

Types Of Waxing For Hair Removal

Everyone's hair and skin are not the same. Different waxing methods and components assist in efficient hair removal for different body parts.

1. Soft Wax

Depending on the hair removal process, soft wax is also known as strip waxing. Here a thin layer of warm body wax is spread on top of the skin of larger body areas, like legs or arms. You can apply the warm wax using a wooden spatula[1] or roller directly onto the skin. Then put a cloth strip over the wax, and pull it off, to remove the hair.

Soft wax is extremely efficient in removing the tiny, fine hair strands and leaving you with smooth skin. But soft body wax should only be used once per area in a session as it sticks to the skin. Multiple applications on a particular area can also pull the skin cells, which will cause bleeding and skin damage.

2. Hard Wax

Hard wax is an effective option for the removal of both thicker hair and delicate, thin hair. Here the wax binds to the hair instead of the skin. So, this process is comparatively less painful than soft body wax. This makes hard wax more appropriate for smaller, more sensitive areas like the upper lip, nose, underarms, and bikini area.

Here the warm wax is directly applied onto the skin and given time to cool down. On cooling down, it hardens, and then you can pull it off in the opposite direction of hair growth.

3. Fruit Wax

Fruit wax is a Stripless waxing option like hard wax but with added benefits like the goodness of fruits. This wax comes loaded with fruit extracts like papaya, strawberry, pomegranate, plum and different types of berries. So, when you apply fruit wax, your skin gets the nourishment of fruits, antioxidants, and vitamins, along with hair removal.

Fruit wax is an excellent option for sensitive skin. It is gentler on the skin than a simple resin-based option and usually won't cause rashes, bumps, or skin marks.

4. Chocolate Wax

Chocolate wax is another popular choice among people as a less painful waxing option. Chocolate is an antioxidant-rich ingredient that nourishes your skin when waxed. Chocolate wax is also enriched with glycerine and beneficial oils like soybean, sunflower, or almond oil, vitamin E and other minerals.

It is hydrating and rich in soothing and nourishing ingredients, making it the right choice for skin prone to irritation and redness. This wax is also an expensive option compared to other types of waxing.

5. Sugar Wax

Sugar wax is an ancient version of waxing methods. This simple waxing formula is one of the most natural options for hair removal. It is a simple combination of sugar, lemon, and hot water [2]. Here the sugar helps to pull out the root of the hair like soft and hard body wax. As this is a combination of natural ingredients, it can be a good option for people with sensitive skin.

Like hard wax, sugar wax also sticks with hair, not skin. So, you can reapply and remove hair multiple times without causing any skin damage. As a natural waxing option, it can be used on any part of the body.

Important Note:

Sugar waxing is popularly known as sugaring. It is the oldest waxing method that originated in the Middle East.

Benefits Of Waxing

Many people consider waxing as one of the most effective hair removal methods for unwanted hair removal. Here are some of its key benefits.

1. Long Lasting Smooth And Silky Skin

As waxing removes hair from the root, it delays hair regrowth from those follicles. So, you can enjoy long-lasting hairless, smooth, and silky skin. But the duration of freedom is limited. It can vary from three to six weeks, depending on how fast your hair follicle recovers and produces new hair growth.

2. Exfoliation

Besides removing hair, waxing removes dead skin cells and rejuvenates the skin. As you strip out hair, dead skin cells also come with it.

3. No Skin Damage

Shaving, hair removal creams, and other hair removal methods can cause skin damage like pigmentation, cuts or bad odor. Hair removal gels and creams can also cause skin irritation. Such skin damage is quite unlikely with waxing.

4. Slow Hair Regrowth

If you use waxing regularly, it slows down hair regrowth and makes each strand finer and softer.

5. Fewer Ingrown Hair

Compared to other hair removal methods like shaving, waxing can reduce the risk of ingrown hair.

How To Do Waxing?

If you are planning to have a DIY waxing session without professional help, here are some crucial tips for you to have a safe and effective waxing experience:

1. Ensure your hair length is about one-fourth to three-fourths of an inch long. If hair is longer, you need to trim it before waxing.

2. A clean and dry skin allows the wax to adhere correctly and helps to have a gentle hair removal session. So, wash and dry the area thoroughly before applying wax.

3. Warm the wax as directed on the package. Then, apply it to a small section of your skin and spread it in the direction of hair growth.

5. Place a cloth strip over the wax, press down firmly, wait for two to three seconds and pull off the strip very fast in the opposite direction of hair growth.

Skinkraft Tip:

Don’t forget to check the temperature of the liquid wax before applying, as very hot wax can hurt or burn your skin.

Waxing After-Care

You need to take good care of your skin after waxing. Here are some tips:

• Apply a cold compress to relieve the pain and avoid irritation.
• Ensure the area waxed is free from dirt. Avoid heat exposure. Ensure the area stays away from friction for the next one or two days. Avoid hot baths and massage. Refrain from taking steam baths or treatments.
• Avoid tanning
• Don’t scratch or touch the area with unclean hands.
• Wear clean and clothes that doesn’t cause too much friction.
• Don’t swim in chlorinated swimming pools
• Don’t use deodorants and other skincare products like lotions and powders in the waxed area.

Waxing Tips

• Always spread the wax in the direction of hair growth and pull the strip off in the opposite direction of hair growth.
• Avoid using creams containing retinoids two to five days prior to waxing to avoid removing skin along with unwanted hair [3].
• Soothe your skin after waxing with cool packs.
• Don’t use oily or drying skin products just after waxing.
• Don’t schedule a chemical peeling appointment after the session.

Will Waxing My Face Make It Worse?

There is an unproven theory that repeated and long-term use of waxing can create wrinkles on the face. Frequent use of waxing will stretch and sag your skin. Also, if you have acne-prone skin, it is advisable to stay away from soft or hard waxing to avoid breakouts.

Does Waxing Face Grow More Hair?

No, waxing doesn't grow more hair. It only removes hair from the root and leaves nothing in the hair follicle to grow back for some time. As the follicles heal, they can grow back new hair. Moreover, regular waxing slows down the hair growth rate and even makes your hair thinner, finer, and softer over time.

Which Waxing Is Best For Hair Removal?

Most people prefer hard waxing as it binds only to the hair, not the skin. This makes the waxing process comparatively less painful than soft body wax.

How Long Will The Results Of Waxing Last?

This entirely depends on the speed of your hair regrowth. So, the effect of waxing can last anywhere from two to six weeks as per your hair growth rate.

Waxing is a fast, easy, and efficient hair removal process. There are multiple waxing options suitable for different skin types and hair of different body parts. Waxing with proper ingredients, precautions, and procedures can provide you with silky smooth hairless skin.

Begin By Knowing Your Skin