To wax, or not to wax - that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer briefly in the quest for long lasting smooth skin….or to take to razor daily and live with stubble. Shakespeare probably wasn’t into waxing but the age old questions remain as to whether the results of waxing are worth the cost and effort and where Doing It Yourself is feasible.
What are the benefits of waxing?
- The hair will regrow finer, softer and lighter coloured your skin will feel smoother.
- Remains hair free for 3 to 4 weeks. Waxing removes the entire hair including the root, all from the follicle.
- With regular treatments hair reduction can be long-term, even permanent removal.
- Waxing is suitable for both men and women
- Drop those tweezers! With waxing it's possible to remove more hair at once and at a faster rate - think of all the time you'll safe!
That said there can be a degree of discomfort in more sensitive areas or during your first treatment. And you do have to wait for hair to grow back so it’s long enough to be removed again. Not everybody can be this patient and some wax only before holidays or special occasions. Attempting it at home involves melting the wax in a microwave or hot water. If you don’t get the temperature just right you can end up stuck and bruised. Bravery to rip off the strips whilst knowing when this is going to happen can also be a barrier. It’s often best to enlist the help of a professional.
Is it for me?
Waxing is equally effective with light and dark hair with strength and speed of growth more important. It means you can go without tights or slip into a sleeveless top or a swimsuit without having to think about whether or not you’re hair free. You can always step up to laser or IPL to accelerate hair reduction, but do remember that you shouldn’t wax in between these treatments as they act on the hair root which in waxing is pulled out. Shaving and depilation are suitable as the hair removal is only superficial – that’s why with these techniques hair reappears faster to come through.
Waxing is equally effective with light and dark hair with strength and speed of growth more important. It means you can go without tights or slip into a sleeveless top or a swimsuit without having to think about whether or not you’re hair free.
The most popular body areas women wax are leg (half or full), bikini (going as far as Brazilian and Hollywood) and under- and forearms. Facial waxing tends to be used to shape eyebrows and on the upper lip, chin and cheeks where the growth is hormonal. Specialised waxes are available for facial hair and other sensitive areas. You might be given a choice between Lycon and strip wax. After your treatment you’ll usually be offered a lotion such as aloe vera to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. About a week after waxing regular exfoliation can reduce the risk on the odd ingrowing hairs. There are also various hair reduction ointments which can be applied.
Whether it’s for aesthetic or hygiene purposes, smooth skin or hair eradication waxing is the most common form of full hair removal. Where will you start with hair removal?
