Waxing, as we all know is the semi-permanent removal of hair from the skin using wax. Wax is the base material made of paraffin or beeswax that sticks to the hair and the hair is thus pulled out from the roots. It typically doesn’t grow back for three weeks or so, depending on the individual’s hair growth. It is the most common procedure adopted to get rid of hair on arms, underarms, legs, chest, bikini line etc. Though a painful process for some, it is quite comfortable for others. Here we will elucidate on every aspect of waxing from types of waxing to types of wax, their harmful effects, and benefits.
Different types of waxing
1. Face waxing
A lot of women have quite a hairy face. Or the hair on the face is too dark to go unnoticed. They can resort to face waxing in such a case. Areas waxed vary from chins, sideburns, upper lips to the entire face. It is the riskiest style of waxing as the facial skin is very delicate. Many people suffer from chronic acne in the areas of the face they get waxed. It is really important to be careful about the salon you choose, the wax they are using and to know your skin type before proceeding with facial waxing. The benefit associated is that, once it suits you, there is no going back. Hair growth eventually decreases with every wax.
2. Bikini waxing
The second most common type of waxing is Bikini waxing. It involves the removal of hair from the pubic area using special wax. It is undoubtedly the most painful of all the other waxing types. Bikini waxing again has the benefit that hair growth reduces significantly with every waxing session. But getting pubic hair waxed remains a big controversy around the safety associated with the presence of pubic hair.
3. Brazilian waxing
This kind of Bikini wax is gaining popularity among women. All the hair from the bikini line is removed leaving a strip of hair in the form of a triangle or strip or a square on the front. It is important to apply an antiseptic or astringent post-waxing pubic area to ensure there are no breakouts. Pubic hair is the most deeply rooted of all other hair types, so waxing pubic hair entails the formation of boils posts waxing.
4. Eyebrow waxing
It is a shaping alternative for eyebrows. Thin patches around eyebrows are removed with wax to shape the eyebrows. But since the skin around eyes is four times thinner as compared to the skin on the rest of the face, it is to be done most carefully.
5. Wide area waxing
Removing hair from hands, legs, back or abdomen are the easiest to achieve and come under wide area waxing. Skin that has been moisturized recently isn’t wax ready. Preferably you should clean your body properly before undergoing waxing to ensure that there isn’t any oiliness left, which can lead to ineffective waxing.
The two basic types of waxes used in waxing are:
1) Hot Wax
The base material in Hot waxing is again a paraffin wax. But the wax is heated and melted, spread on the skin as a thin layer and then removed with a waxing strip. It is more effective, easier and also removes the dead skin layer more effectively. But it is a messy process.
2) Cold wax
The cold paraffin wax in the semi-solid form that already adheres to the strips. The strip is rubbed against the skin and pulled against the direction of hair growth to remove hair. Cold waxing is a cleaner procedure but requires more than one application as it is less effective when it comes to hair removal. It is advisable to exfoliate skin before using cold wax to achieve the best results.
Waxing certainly is a convenient way of hair removal. The dead skin that gets removed along with hair leaves skin softer and smoother. It is devoid of the possibility of rashes or cuts that shaving could lead to. But it has its own shortcomings and that’s why hair removal methods like sugaring, laser, electrolysis are gaining popularity these days. It is up to you to ascertain the benefits and harms of each to decide what works best for you.