About waxing hair removal FAQs
Here are some of your frequently asked questions that relate to the different types of wax treatments for both men and women:
How does waxing hair removal work?
When a wax solution is applied to the skin as it bonds with the hairs. A cloth is then pressed into the solution and the pulled sharply back against the direction of the hair growth. The hairs are then removed with the cloth as they have bonded with the wax.
What are the different types of hair removal wax treatment?
The 2 main types of treatment are known as hot wax and cold (or sometimes called warm) wax. Depending on the area of the body that you are waxing, one will be more appropriate than the other.
Hot waxing
Although this method has been available for many years, it is now not as common as the cold waxing treatment. Hot waxes are made from natural beeswax and a resin. The hot wax is applied to the skin and is left to cool. Once the wax has turned an opaque colour it can then be removed. Hot wax is better for those small sensitive areas where the hair is most course, such as the underarm and bikini area.
Some of the advantages of hot over cold waxing are:
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The hot wax gets a better grip of the hair
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Better at removing course hairs
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It does not leave a sticky residue
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It is better at removing shorter hairs
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There is much less reddening of the skin
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Better for sensitive skin
Some of the disadvantages of hot over cold waxing are:
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It is a slower process as the wax has to be left to dry
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It is more difficult to wax large areas at once
Cold waxing
This method is now the more common type of wax treatment. Large areas can be treated quickly and effectively. Cold (or sometimes known as warm) waxes are made from ingredients such as resin, paraffin, glucose syrup and honey. The cold wax is applied to the skin and removed immediately; it is not left to dry like hot wax. It is very easy to use making it ideal for facial hair removal such as on the lips, chin, eyebrows and sideburns.
Some of the advantages of cold over hot waxing are:
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It is much quicker
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It can be used to effectively treat large areas of the body at once
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It can be used to remove all types of hairs
Some of the disadvantages of cold over hot waxing are:
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It is a lot more messy to clean up afterwards
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Skin irritation is sometimes more severe
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It is not as good at removing very short hairs
Generally, either of these methods will require to be repeated every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on how quickly your hair re-grows.
What are the benefits?
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Waxing lasts quite a long time for such a quick treatment. Expect the new hair growth to take between 2 to 8 weeks to develop.
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New hair growth will become thinner, softer and lighter as the follicle becomes weaker with prolonged treatment. Applying a depilation cream after treatment will prolong the effects, and some people have even experienced permanent hair removal using this method.
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It is suitable for all types of hairs.
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The skin is also exfoliated when the hairs are removed, leaving a fresh glow to the skin.
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It is fast compared to some other hair removal methods.
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It can be performed safely at home.
What are the drawbacks?
There are a number of drawbacks to hair removal wax treatments, such as:
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It can be very painful as a result of hairs being pulled out of the skin.
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The process of pulling the hairs out against the direction of their growth can adjust the direction of new hair growth. This can make it more difficult to remove during the next treatment as some may lie in opposite directions. Also, new growth may be more noticeable to the patient due to the changed direction of the growth.
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It is difficult to remove the hairs that lie flat on the skin as the wax cannot surround and grip the hair fully.
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Lots of people experience ingrown hairs (pseudofolliculitis), red lumps, minor bleeding and heightened sensitivity. Men normally experience this after removing large areas of strong hair. Women often notice this around their bikini line and underarm. These effects are also more noticeable when treating an area for the first few times when the follicles are at their strongest (they weaken with every treatment).
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The removal of the wax and hair will not only take the dead skin cells but also some of the new layers of skin. This leads to heightened sensitivity and minor bleeding if not performed properly.
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People on certain medications should not have waxing treatment.
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Before the next treatment is performed the hair has to be left to grow long so the wax has something to grip.
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Cold waxing is very messy to clean up afterwards and can ruin certain materials if performed at home.
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It can be quite expensive if performed by a specialist.
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