Waxing Hair Removal - A Complete Guide!
Why Wax?
I've been meaning to put together an article that covers everything you need to know about waxing in one place. Finally, here it is!
First thing's first - here are a full list of the advantages and disadvantages of waxing:-
| Waxing Advantages | Waxing Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Can be done at home | Hairs can break off at or below surface |
| Cheap - whether at home or at a salon | Hair growth needed (1/8 inch) |
| Fast - even with large body parts | Can be messy |
| Effective on all hair types | Hard to get a good consistency |
| Growth weakens with consistent waxing | Can be slightly painful |
Typical Results
The great thing about waxing, unlike some other forms of hair removal (such as laser), is that the results are pretty much the same with everybody.
All hair is completely removed for a certain period of time. The length of time that the particular body part stays hair free varies from one person to the next but is usually between 3 - 8 weeks for the large majority of people.
The added bonus is that consistent waxing actually weakens hair regrowth over time.
Suitability
As I mentioned, waxing is suitable for all skin and hair types however if you suffer from any of the following condiitions/taken the following courses of medication then you really shouldn't wax:-
- Roaccutane / Retin-A / Renova / Differin
- Diabetes
- Varicose Veins
Waxing at Home...
It should be said that even though waxing sounds like a simple process, results can actually be quite disastrous if you don't know what you're doing. That's why I recommend going to a clinic to get a proper job.
If you're experienced with waxing and want to wax from home then these are the steps to follow:-
| Step 1 | Test the area first - Take a small sample of the wax that you're going to be using and apply that to the surface of the skin. Leave the mixture there for a short period of time (10 minutes is fine) and make sure that you don't have any adverse reaction to the substance. |
|---|---|
| Step 2 | Ensure Minimum Hair Length - For waxing to be effective you need to make sure that you have a minimum hair length of 1/8 inch. Any less than this and your results won't be very good. |
| Step 3 | Clean area of Skin - Sometimes natural or man made oils sit on the surface of the skin; these oils may prevent the strips from sticking as they should. Use a bit of soap and water to clean the area and dry off with a towel. |
| Step 4 | Heat the Wax - The optimum temperature very much depends on the brand that you're using. Some of the higer priced waxed kits should be heated to a temperature just above body temperature, whereas others need to be hotter still. Test the heat on your skin to make sure it's not too hot. |
| Step 5 | Apply Topical Anesthetic (Optional) - If you're not sure if you want to experience the discomfort of pulling hairs out from your body then you may consider a topical anesthetic that will numb a particular part of the body. This will need to be applied around 30 - 60 minutes prior to starting the waxing session. |
| Step 6 | Apply Topical Anesthetic (Optional) - If you're not sure if you want to experience the discomfort of pulling hairs out from your body then you may consider a topical anesthetic that will numb a particular part of the body. This will need to be applied around 30 - 60 minutes prior to starting the waxing session. |
| Step 7 | Apply Wax - OK so you're now at the point where you can apply your first bit of wax. You should apply the wax in the direction of the hair growth. The easiest way to tell which ways the hairs are growing on your body is to run your hand over the top of the hair backwards and forwards and see which way gives you the most resistance. |
| Step 8 | Apply Cotton Strip - You should now apply the cotton strip. Again apply the cotton strip in the direction that the hairs are growing (similar to applying the wax in the step before). It's really important you get this right for best results. |
| Step 9 | Pull Skin Tight - Before removing the cotton strip you need to pull the skin taut for optimum results. |
| Step 10 | Pull Cotton Strip Back - Quickly and in one swift movement, pull the cotton strip back against the direction of the hair. It's far easier and less uncomfortable if you do this movement in one full, fast flow rather than taking numerous pulls at the cotton. Make sure you that you pull the strip back and not up or out - this is really important for good results. |
| Step 11 | Clean Skin - Once the whole area has been treated it is important that you clean the skin with a warm, moist towel to remove excess wax. |
Some More Tips for Waxing at Home
- Don't shower or dampen the hair before waxing because that will prevent adhesion and your results will suffer.
- Don't wear anything that will irritate newly waxed skin to prevent itching, ingrown hairs and in the very worst case infection
- Avoid waxing over areas of the skin with acne - waxing can inflame acne prone areas
- After 1 or 2 days, you may wish to exfoliate the skin to remove dead cells and minimise the risk of ingrown hairs.
Waxing at Home Precautions
If you want to get your genital region treated then it is really important that you go and see a fully qualified professional. It is one area of the body that is quite hard to wax correctly, and if you don't know what you're doing you can cause some quite serious damage - including tearing and split veins!
Getting Waxed at a Clinic
If you want to be seen by a professional then you can expect to pay between $20 and $200 depending on the area to be waxed and the status of the salon.
By comparison, home waxing kits cost between $25 and $75.
Watch this Waxing Video
I've included a video that shows a man getting their chest waxed just to give you an idea of what to expect during a visit to a waxing salon:-