There’s shaving, there’s laser hair removal. There are those hair removal devices they sell on television and good old tweezing. But, many people prefer hair waxing as their primary method of eliminating excess body hair. It’s quick, it’s effective, and some say, it prevents the hair from coming back as thick.
It’s also a great excuse to hit the spa. Here’s a little more about waxing:
So, How Does Hair Waxing Work?
Hair waxing has been used for centuries and has largely remained unchanged. Hot and cold waxes are generally made from either a paraffin resin or beeswax. The process goes as follows: the wax is heated until it melts and is then applied to an area like the legs or arms with a plastic spatula.
The waxer covers the area with a cloth for easy removal. The solution stays on the skin for several minutes until it cools and hardens. As the wax cools down, it begins to cling to each hair follicle, tightening its grip.
You’ll know the wax is completely cool, as it begins to take on this sort of tacky texture, pulling the skin taut, and pointing toward the opposite direction of how the cloth should be removed. To remove, the waxer pulls the cloth off quickly, in an upward fashion. And voila, you’re left with smooth skin. Smooth skin that may feel just a tad sore.
There’s also the option of making your own wax with a combination of sugar, lemon juice, and water. You can make this by boiling these ingredients until they reach this sort of syrupy consistency. It works much like using actual wax, though there’s some debate as to whether the sugar method is the best hair waxing move for those with sensitive skin.
Does Hair Waxing Actually Reduce Hair Growth?
When you wax, what you’re doing is ripping the hair from its root, damaging the hair bulb. For those who don’t know this, the hair bulb is where living cells divide to form the hair shaft. It’s also how the hair receives the hormones needed for healthy hair development. So, when you wax your legs, damaging these bulbs over time, you’re likely going to end up with finer hair than what was once there.
This is generally a good thing, for your legs, arms, etc., but areas that you may want to regrow your hair, these might not be the best candidates for hair waxing.
Different Types of Hair Waxing
We kind of alluded to this above, but there are some different options available for those looking for a good wax.
Soft Wax For Bikini Waxing?
Hard Wax
Other Waxing Options
Why Is Hair Waxing Worth It?
Check out Skin Apeel’s full-service waxing center, and we’ll get you set up for a smoother lease on life.