Waxing hair removal advice for both men and women
Waxing is a popular hair removal process for both males and
females these days. It's a method that can be done at your
convenience in your home or by a professional at select
salons and spas.
Depending on your particular skin, hair type and rate of
hair growth, waxing has been known to provide smooth
results as long as 3-8 weeks and is suggested as the
longest lasting temporary hair removal method.
While there are people who say this method of hair removal
is not as painful as it sounds, basically, the waxing
solution wraps around the hair and then is pulled. Pulling
the hair and its roots out.
If you're concerned about pain, you can purchase a pain
reducing gel or anesthetic numbing spray from your
pharmacist, which needs to be applied thirty to sixty
minutes before waxing.
And if you have problems with acne, avoid any type of
waxing until your skin is clear.
If you're not totally committed to following through the
waxing process, no matter how much it hurts, you may just
want to go to a salon and let a professional do it for you.
But be aware that waxing at a salon can get pretty pricey,
especially if you want to remove hair from large areas.
Just to give you an idea, usually it's about twenty five
dollars for bikini line hair removal.
Today, there are several kinds of waxing hair removal
products available - With warm waxing being the most often
used.
Cold wax comes in a paste or gel that isn't heated before
applying it to the skin. Getting the wax from the container
and controlling the thickness to the skin is what makes most
cold waxes so messy. It's not quite as effective and less
preferred than a warm wax. But if you have sensitive skin,
a cold wax causes less skin irritations.
If you choose to use a waxing hair removal product at home,
read all instructions that come with your kit carefully.
Always test a small area of skin for sensitivity or an
allergic reaction.
Your hair needs to be a little bit long, about an
1/8", for the best results with this type of hair
removal product. So if your hairs are longer, trim them
down. If shorter, allow them to grow in a bit.
With this method of hair removal, you don't want to bathe
beforehand. Hair absorbs moisture which makes it soft and
harder for the wax to adhere to. Dry hair is tough and/so
easier to pull off. Lightly powder your skin to absorb
moisture and natural oils. This will keep hairs easier to
pull, which will limit inflammation.
Some people exfoliate the area before waxing to remove dead
skin cells that can contribute to ingrown hairs.
Do not overheat the wax. You don't want to burn your skin.
Lower the temperature of the wax for facial hair and only
use it on one small area at a time.
The consistency of the wax should be soft, not runny.
Hair removal by waxing can break the hair, which is a main
cause of ingrown hairs.
To avoid ingrown hairs, apply a thin layer of wax in the
direction the hair grows. If you're using a strip over the
wax, rub it in the same direction. Leave about one third of
the strip free so you can get a good grip for pulling it off
fast.
Pull your skin taut and then pull the strip back, not up or
out, in one smooth movement. Don't be timid - Slight pulls
will only leave patchy areas as well as cause more pain.
After waxing, remove any excess wax with a warm moist
towel, being careful not to touch the skin with your hands,
which might cause an infection.
When skin is freshly waxed, limit creating ingrown hairs
and other skin irritations by not wearing tight clothing
around the area.
Another way to limit severe skin problems after using a
waxing hair removal product is to exfoliate the skin one to
two days later. This will help prevent dead skin cells from
building up.
Be careful not to expose the newly waxed area to the sun
for at least forty eight hours or the skin may darken, but
not in a good way. And always use a good sun blocker
thereafter.
Be aware - Using a waxing hair removal product usually
leaves a redness, so if you're doing it for a special
occasion, do it a couple of days beforehand.
Now, if you decide waxing may not be for you, there are
alternatives. Do some research and you'll find other hair
removal products that are not quite as, uh,
"intense".
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