Everything you need to know about waxing
Waxing in its own right does take guts. It’s not the most pleasant experience in the whole wide world, but for most of us, meeting our beauty ideals never has been. Just like achieving our summer body, waxing takes a little extra grit. So, now that we’ve stopped fantasising about ordering a pizza 🍕, we’re ready to dive in and dish out all the details on waxing.
Hair removal waxing 101
If you think waxing begins and ends with a strip applied and pulled off, you’re mistaken. Well, that’s all part of it, but there is more to know. Here are the hot tips we just had to share.
What kind of wax is used?
It’s important to be ‘in the know’ about what type of wax is available. It’s your skin we’re talking about here. You want to make sure you’re treating it with the respect it deserves.
Soft wax
Soft wax, or better known as strip wax, is thinner and generally one you warm up. This type of wax is great for hairs that grow in one direction, larger areas (your legs, back or arms), and softer, thinner and shorter hair.
Hard wax
This style of wax is independent. We say this because it doesn’t rely on any form of strip or cloth to remove the hair. Just like you don’t need to rely on a companion for a good time - you go Glen Coco. Once warmed, it is applied to the area and dries hard. It’s a great option for delicate areas because it doesn’t attach itself to the skin, only the hair, making it ideal for those with a sensitive surface.
Fruit wax
You don’t have to be a fruit bat to enjoy the benefits of this little gem. Fruit wax will often be packed with nutrients and vitamins, making it ideal for those that have sensitive skin and could do with some extra nourishment. This style of wax can be a little pricier, but if you’re prone to flare-ups, then the extra spend will be well worth the money.
Chocolate wax:
And just when you thought chocolate couldn’t get any better, it does. This isn’t just a Snickers bar melted in with your normal wax. It’s a combination of vitamins, almond oil, soybean oil, and glycerin. The reason why this is so highly praised is the mixture of these oils and vitamins makes the waxing experience more tolerable. Apparently, it makes the whole ordeal just that little more comfortable 🙏.
Sugar wax:
Sugaring is a style of waxing that has been around for, well forever. Being one of the original types of hair removal, it’s no wonder people still love this waxing treatment. Typically the wax is made from sugar, lemon, and hot water. It’s primo for all skin types because it’s made from all natural products. It’s better suited for hair that is slightly longer and courser.
Real quick, the five wax types 📝:
- Soft wax: Strip wax, generally thinner and is paired with strips. Good choice for larger areas.
- Hard wax: Dries hard and doesn’t rely on strips. Great for sensitive areas like the bikini line.
- Fruit wax: A hard wax with the added bonus of extra nutrients.
- Chocolate wax: Extra oils that assist with the slight “ouch” associated with waxing. Plus, chocolate!
- Sugar wax: Made from sugar, lemon and hot water. Natural and best suited for courser, longer hair.
How long before my hair grows back?
The charm about waxing is that it lasts. That’s the whole appeal of the treatment. You can expect a slower rate of hair growth based on the hair being pulled out from the root. After your first wax, you can expect to book in for your next treatment within 3 to 6 weeks. This will vary based on the area, how long you’ve been waxing for, and how fast your hair grows.
According to Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, M.D., dermatologist and founder of Entière Dermatology in NYC, hair growth is variable and depends on a number of factors, including the area of removal. For instance, hair on the bikini and the underarm grow faster than the arms and legs. (1)
What are the different types of waxing?
Wherever there is hair, you better believe it can be waxed. From salon to salon there will be different names for the different areas, but here are some of the most popular waxes for women and men.
- Waxing for women
- Bikinis and brazilians (see more details below)
- Eyebrows
- Legs
- Underarms
- Waxing for men
- Back and shoulders
- Chest and stomach
If you’re wanting somewhere else waxed, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Talk to your beauty therapist and trust us when we say, they’ve seen it all before!
What are the different types of bikini waxes?
To the unfamiliar a Brazilian wax may sound international and exotic, but if you’re not sure what you’re ordering you may be in for a rude shock. So here’s a little bikini wax breakdown.
Bikini wax: The removal of the hair that sits just outside your bikini or swimsuit when looking front on.
Full bikini wax (aka g-string wax): The removal of all the bikini line hair and then a little bit extra around the front and underside between your legs, possibly leaving more of a triangle shape.
French bikini wax: The removal of all the hair front and under, except for a small strip or patch of hair in the front. Doesn’t include the bum.
Brazilian wax: The removal of all the hair front, under and back, except for a small strip or patch of hair in the front. Like a French bikini but also includes your bum.
Full Brazilian (aka Hollywood or XXX wax): The full monty. Completely bare. The removal of all hair front, under and behind.
Beauty salons have been making up creative ways to name waxes for a long time, so you will likely run into something not listed above. Just make sure you communicate what you want with your therapist and you’ll be grinning and bare-ing it in no time.
How to prepare for a wax
You’re wanting to make sure you follow a few steps before your wax to make sure it’s as pleasurable as possible. Here’s our own personal pocket guide to getting things right beforehand.
Grow your hair to about 1cm in length You need to have enough hair for the wax to grip onto, so about the length of a grain of rice or a centimeter. For most people that length may take a couple weeks after your last shave, depending on the area.
Get a little test patch If you’ve never been waxed before, or you’re waxing a new area, you want to make sure you’re getting a test beforehand to see how your skin reacts. You should also consult a dermatologist or health professional if you have any concerns.
Talk to the beauty therapist Ok, you don’t have to go ahead and dish on the latest family drama, but you should tell your waxer everything they need to know about your health, skin, and any concerns you may have. This will ensure they do a primo job and your skin won’t suffer from the treatment. Make sure you speak up if you’re a first-timer, very important in this situation.
Take a shower or bath beforehand You want the area to be clean to make it as easy as possible for the wax to do its job. Try to shower within the 24 hours before your appointment. Showering in the 30 minutes prior to a wax may even help reduce pain a little by opening up your pores.
Exfoliate the day before Give your body the attention it deserves. If you exfoliate between treatments you’ll remove dead skin and allow any soft hairs to break through the surface. You’ll also want to be sure that you give your skin a thorough scrub the day before your treatment, rather than the day of, to avoid irritating the area before the wax.
Avoid wax appointments pre-period (for women) If you’re a woman who experiences PMS symptoms, you may be looking at more waxing pain at that time of the month too.
Go a week or two after your period, and it'll hurt less. "Prostaglandin levels are highest right before your period, so you'll be more sensitive and more likely to swell," says Jessica Wu, a dermatologist in Los Angeles. (2)
So here’s our top tips for preparing for a wax:
- Grow or trim your hair to about 1cm long
- Get a test patch if you’re a first-timer
- Tell your beauty therapist your expectations
- Take a shower or bath beforehand
- Exfoliate the day before
- If you get PMS, that’s not the best time for a wax
What are the benefits of waxing
There are a bunch of reasons why waxing is so beneficial. Otherwise, why would people put up with the pain if it didn’t offer some primo results? You can expect the following benefits when you opt for a little wax on, wax off scenario:
- Less hair for longer: You will have a hair free area for about 4 weeks. In comparison to shaving or any form of hair removal that only removes the visible part of the hair, waxing pulls the hair from the root. It offers you silky results for longer.
- No chance of scarring: With no chance of nicks or cuts, you're safe from scarring that delicate skin of yours. Personally the only scar we care for is the one from the Lion King. He’s flamboyantly fabulous.
- Save the rash for a pash: Your skin will have less of an opportunity to flare up. Even though shaving doesn’t always result in a rash, waxing definitely avoids this situation for those who are more prone.
- Say ‘bon voyage’ to coarse hair: Waxing, for some, can be the calling card to encourage softer and finer hair to grow back. It’s as if the trauma caused by the hair follicle pushes them to surrender. About time.
- The texture of your skin will be primo: The actual texture of your skin will improve. If you follow the care of exfoliating and moisturising, you’ll be surprised by how delicious your own skin will look and feel.
A quick list to share with the pals ✨:
- Less hair for longer, about 4 weeks
- No scarring
- Less skin irritation
- Softens the hair over time
- Your skin texture will improve
Wax vs. shave
The age old question, is waxing better than shaving? Look, for us there is no real competition here. Each one serves a purpose and when you’re in need of some desperate hair-free solutions, sometimes the razor is the way to go. However, if we really had to bring it down to what is better, you’ll be wanting to weigh up the pros and cons.
Shaving Pros:
- Can be done from the comfort of your own bathroom.
- Is cheap and costs the amount of the razor and shaving gel or cream (you should always use something between your skin and blades).
- Pain free, unless you cut yourself. In that case, we’ll pray for you.
Shaving Cons:
- Your hair will generally grow back thicker and coarser.
- Your hair free window is slim. For us, we get a total of 30 minutes before the spike attacks.
- Throwaway razors are generally plastic, making them not ideal for our planet.
- You may be battling itchy razor burn or ingrown hairs.
Waxing Pros:
- You will have silky smooth areas for longer. We’re talking about a period of weeks, not hours here.
- Over time, waxing will reduce the amount of hair that grows, making them finer and softer.
- Your skin will feel amazing. Waxing can sometimes remove the top layer of skin, it’s like an exfoliating treatment at the same time.
Waxing Cons:
- It can be a little uncomfortable. Depending on the area you’re getting waxed, sometimes the treatment can be a tad ouchy. However, with the hair softening over time, the pain tends to decrease to a tickle. Well, so we’ve heard.
- You may get a few ingrowns if you don’t exfoliate. Because the hair will begin to soften they find it a little harder to break through the skin.
- You will be a little red after your treatment. Don’t fret, the post wax redness subsides relatively quickly.
Waxing vs. sugaring
These two techniques are similar but different. Which one is right for you will depend on a few factors: hair thickness, skin sensitivity and budget.
If you have finer body hair and sensitive skin, then definitely give sugaring a try as it might be more effective and comfortable for you. But if you have coarser hair, waxing might be the better option.
Lastly, waxing tends to be more common and therefore more competitive. Meaning for the hairy ones out there (all of us) who want their hair removed (some of us), waxing prices will generally be lower than sugaring and last-minute waxing appointments a little easier to find.
Threading vs. waxing eyebrows
If you’re tossing up between the thread or the wax for your brows, fair call. They’re both great options for a sharp and strong brow. We call it the power brow, and it can really be quite transformative.
If you have sensitive skin, stick with threading. It’s less irritating for your skin. If you want a super-fast treatment with super-fast pain to go with it, then eyebrow waxing might be better suited to you, since threading takes a little longer.
There are arguments for and against both eyebrow threading and waxing related to long-term effects on hair follicles and skin health, so whatever you choose, make sure to pair it with some good moisturisers and solid skincare routine.
Does waxing hurt?
We’d be lying if we said “nahh”, and we’re not here to take you for a ride. You’re pulling the hair from the root, and yanking several at a time. So, yes, it does hurt a little. However, it depends on the area, how long you’ve been waxing for, and what your natural hair is like.
If you go to a professional they’ll take the extra care, use the correct wax and make the whole experience as comfortable as possible. If you opt for an at home brazillian, A) you’re either brave or crazy, and B) all the pain feel is on you, good luck.
Waxing aftercare
There is a method to the aftercare if you’re after better results for longer. We have put together this checklist with our best advice.
Bookwell’s aftercare advice for waxing:
- Keep the bathing warm to lukewarm. No lobster boiling here.
- Stay away from the sauna, spa, massages or steam rooms.
- Give yourself a few days before tanning.
- The excessive sweating from exercise can cause rashes. So hang up the sneakers for a day or two or take it a little easier than usual.
- Keep the breeze going with some loose and comfy clothes for at least 24 hours.
- Only use natural products or products recommended by your waxing specialist.
- Moisturise between treatments.
A little vid from a professional and their top tips for aftercare:
What to expect after a wax
The feeling after waxing is actually divine. Your skin will feel a little tender immediately after the treatment. However, after a maximum of 24 hours you’ll be feeling so smooth. If you follow the aftercare recommendations above, you’ll also feel silkier for longer. You might as well just listen to Smooth FM to make the whole thing, well smooth.
When can you shave after a wax?
If you’re tempted to hit the hairs with a little razor after a wax, fair enough. However, keep in mind this can take you back to square one. Shaving takes the hair back to a blunt edge, causing it to look coarser and thicker. However, if you’re going to go ahead and give your hair a shave after waxing, we suggest waiting for there to be visible hair growth.
How soon after waxing can I shower?
If you’re going to a place that knows their stuff, you’ll actually be walking out of the treatment feeling super lush. However, sometimes you just want a shower to get the skin feeling fresh and clean. Steer away from jumping straight under the tap for at least 2 hours. This will allow the skin to recover. Oh, and remember to keep the temp to lukewarm.
Things to avoid after a wax
Your skin is going to be sensitive after a waxing treatment. So, you want to be sure you’re taking care of it. There are a few things to steer away from for at least a day or two. These will vary based on the areas you decide to get done.
- Exercise
- Hot showers
- Saunas, chlorinated pools, steam rooms and anything hot and relaxing (annoying, but trust us)
- Exfoliating, for at least 48 hours
- Scented lotions and or cosmetics
- Tanning. Whether it be fake or from the sun, give it a couple of days.
- Certain varieties of sex. Yes, friction can cause a whole lot of discomfort.
How long should I wait to exercise?
The reality is your pores are open and exposed after a wax. So, you want to avoid causing them any more stress than they’ve already endured. Give it at least 24 to 48 hours before getting back on the treadmill. If you’re a die-hard Crossfitter, make sure you plan your waxing appointment around your recovery day.
How long should I wait to exfoliate?
Exfoliating is highly recommended after a wax, especially in between treatments. It helps reduce ingrown hairs and keep the skin feeling gewd. However, you want to give it a few days after your wax before hitting it with the rough stuff. We’d recommend waiting at least 2 to 4 days after a wax before exfoliating.
Footnotes:
