Wax on, Wax Off

Waxing is a great method of hair removal because it gets hair at the root, making for a semi-permanent hair-free state. Waxed areas remain free of hair for two to eight weeks. Waxing is suitable for removing large areas of hair at one time. Almost any area of the body is suitable for waxing, including the eyebrows, face, underarms, back, arms, abdomen, bikini area, legs, and feet. Done on a regular basis, waxing may bring about a permanent hair reduction.

A Simple Process

Waxing is a simple process. At home, a thin layer of wax is spread over the skin. A strip of cloth or paper is then pressed over the layer of wax. The cloth or paper strip is ripped away as fast as possible going against the direction of the hair growth. The hair is removed along with the wax.

If you have sensitive skin, you may prefer to have a professional waxing. The practitioner allows the warm wax to harden, allowing easy removal without the aid of cloths.

There are some parts of the body that are unsuited to waxing, such as the insides of the ears and nose, the eyelashes, eyelids, palms of the hands, and the soles of the feet. These areas can sustain severe damage if waxed. Certain parts of the body should never be waxed except by a licensed professional. Such parts include the genitals and the nipples.

Repeated waxing causes the hair that grows back to become softer and lighter in color. The amount of hair regrowth is also reduced over time.

Some Drawbacks

While hair waxing can be a great way to control unwanted hair, there are drawbacks to the technique. Waxing is painful, though the pain is short-lived. If done by a professional, waxing can also be expensive. Some areas may be hard to reach, making home waxing a less than successful method. When hair is removed against the direction of hair growth, as in waxing, hair may begin to grow in different directions. This may cause the hair regrowth to be more noticeable and may make other methods of hair removal more difficult. When waxing is done in the correct manner, this is a negligible risk.

Waxing can also cause ingrown hairs, red bumps, and even minor bleeding, most often in men, who have thicker hair. Since subsequent hair growth is softer and finer, these complications tend not to recur. Exfoliation of the areas to be waxed, and the application of an astringent, or a combination of astringent and baby oil can reduce these complications by cleansing the skin and softening the hair.