Waxing is one of the most popular methods of body hair removal. This affordable method of hair removal helps to keep unwanted hairs at bay for 2 to 6 weeks. Though many people prefer to get their body parts waxed by a trained professional, some are able to do it conveniently on their own. Waxing for hair removal can be practised in most areas of the body including eyebrows, face, legs, arms, back, abdomen, feet and even the bikini area. In this method, a layer of molten wax is spread thinly over the skin. A strip of cloth or paper is then pressed on the top and ripped off with a quick movement against the direction of hair growth. Waxing pulls out hair from the root and hence hair takes longer to grow. This method is therefore regarded as a semi-permanent method of hair removal and is widely practised by women across the world.
Types of waxing
Depending on area of treatment, waxing can be of various types such as:
Things you must consider before waxing
Though waxing is effective and safe, you should be cautious if:
- You are pregnant, taking birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy or antibiotics as your skin may be more sensitive to waxing in these stages. Take a patch test in these conditions
- You are a smoker or have Rosacea. Waxing can irritate weak or broken blood vessels commonly found on people with Rosacea and smokers. If the capillaries are very red, avoid waxing in that area.
- You take blood thinners, have diabetes, phlebitis or want post-cancer hair growth in side-burn area removed. Consult your doctor before waxing in such conditions
- You use powerful exfoliating agents on your skin such as salicylic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid or enzymes as these strip cells from the skin
When you must not go for waxing?
You must not go for waxing if:
- You currently take Accutane (medicine prescribed for acne treatment), or have stopped taking it less than a year ago
- You use Retin-A
- You have lupus (an autoimmune disease) or AIDS
- You recently got Botox or collagen injections. Avoid waxing on the area where you got the treatment done
- You are in cancer therapy getting chemotherapy or radiation
- You have varicose veins, avoid leg waxing in this condition
- You have been in direct sunlight for a long period of time or tanning bed within the last 24 hours
Tips to reduce waxing pain
First time waxing generally hurts more and gets less painful each time after that. Given below are some tips that will help you reduce waxing pain, whether you have waxed before or not:
- Get waxing done by a professional like an aesthetician or cosmetologist. This is especially important when going for bikini wax, especially Brazilian waxing
- Take a warm shower or use a warm compress before a waxing session. This helps to open up the skin pores and allow the hair follicles to come out easily
- Don’t use ice for numbing as it may tighten the pore and make it difficult to pull off hair
- Do not apply astringent or toner before waxing as it may tighten the pores and can make a firmer hold on the hair follicle
- Avoid drinking a lot of caffeine or alcohol as these stimulants may cause skin to be extra sensitive to waxing
- If you are especially sensitive, you may apply a numbing spray or take an aspirin or ibuprofen about 30 - 45 minutes before your wax. This is especially helpful when getting waxed on sensitive areas such as above the lip, chest and bikini line
Other effective and painless options for hair removal
If you find waxing painful, you may go for various other convenient hair removal options. These days, there are a variety of hair removal products such as creams, lotions and mousses available that help you get rid of unwanted hair painlessly. Some products are also designed to inhibit the growth of unwanted hair so that you have to deal with hair removal much less often. Some popular hair inhibitors are Skin Doctors’ Hairnomore and Ultra Hair Away hair removal spray.