Generality
Waxing is a very common and relatively inexpensive depilation method. Useful alternative to annoying and daily razor depilatory operations, it can however be painful and irritating, especially when the hair to be removed is thick and numerous.
Advantages and disadvantages
The big advantage of waxing is to ensure a lasting result: on average, thanks to the removal of the stem and the piliferous root, the skin remains smooth for two to four weeks. After the removal, however, not all grow back with the same speed, some will take longer, while others will be noticed already after a few days.
In addition, in sensitive individuals, waxing may cause significant skin irritation, as well as an increase in ingrown hair growth.
Types of Waxing
There are several types of waxing currently available for removing unwanted hair from different areas of the body. Although the execution method is the same, each type of waxing has its own characteristics which will be described below.
Hot waxing
Waxing is an ideal method to remove large amounts of hair at once. According to the classic hot method, the wax, solid at room temperature, is heated to melt it and make it easier to spread, which must always occur along the direction of hair growth. When the wax cools, the hairs get caught in it and are ready to be removed; the wax will then be removed manually, applying appropriate strips on it and tearing them with energetic movement in the opposite direction to the growth of the hairs. If done well, the operation leaves the underlying skin almost hairless.
A lot of caution is recommended when heating the wax, too high temperatures would cause strong irritation, scars and burns at the time of application. The melting temperature varies from product to product (generally around 50 ° C); for this reason it is important to refer to the instructions on the package.
The main advantages of hot waxing are:
- Effectiveness superior to any other type of wax, as long as it is performed by professionals or by very expert hands;
- Long lasting effects.
If performed by inexperienced hands, however, hot waxing does not give excellent results and, indeed, could cause irritation, burns or scars.
Cold waxing
In addition to the classic hot waxing, depilatory strips are available for cold application after a slight warming in the hands or on the radiator. In essence, this is the principle of the patch, which often brings with it complaints and unwanted hair when it is removed from the wound.
Cold waxing allows you to wax independently, without resorting to the intervention of the beautician and eliminating the risk of burns. Although the effectiveness is generally lower than the traditional method, cold waxing is ideal for treating the most sensitive areas of the body, such as the groin and upper lip.
Roller waxing
The roller waxing, in truth, does not differ much from the types of waxing described so far. However, to spread the wax on the area to be treated, it uses a special tool with a roller. This instrument also has a tank in which the wax is loaded (through special refills sold both at the supermarket and in the perfumery) which must be heated before being applied.
It is a very simple method to use, but even in this case, being a "home treatment", the effectiveness can be lower than the hot waxing performed in beauty centers.
Arab waxing
Arab waxing - also known as "oriental waxing" or with the English name of "sugaring" - is a particular type of waxing that involves the use of three commonly used ingredients: sugar, lemon juice and water. These three ingredients must be mixed in the appropriate proportions and heated over low heat until a dense mixture is obtained with a color similar to that of honey. After that, the compound must be cooled and then spread on the areas to be epilated. Finally, proceed by tearing it all up as if you were performing a classic waxing.
There are numerous "recipes" for the preparation of the compound to be used in this type of waxing, some of these, for example, require the addition of honey, in order to exploit its emollient properties.
The Arab waxing is more delicate than the other methods described up to now and can be performed either in your own home preparing the mixture yourself, or by purchasing ready-made kits; as it can be performed at beauty centers that also offer this method of hair removal.
Man waxing
The male waxing is carried out in a completely similar way to the female one; obviously, due to the greater number of terminal hairs and their diameter, the pain of the tear is likely to make even the most daring stop. Not to underestimate the fact that man, precisely because of the overabundant down, is more subject to side effects: for him waxing means more irritation, more intense pain, accelerated regrowth and a high percentage of ingrown hairs (with consequent appearance of unsightly red dots).
Warnings
Normally, waxing is a type of well tolerated hair removal. However, its use is not recommended in people suffering from particular disorders of the circulatory system, such as varicose veins, venous insufficiency and capillary fragility.
Useful tips
Following are some tips that could be useful to follow both before and after waxing, in order to limit pain and avoid unpleasant irritation or post-hair removal problems.
Before waxing
- A few days before the fateful appointment, apply a slightly exfoliating cream to the skin, so as to lift the ingrown hairs and facilitate their elimination; alternatively you can use a horsehair glove, followed by the application of a non-alcoholic disinfectant.
- If the hair is very long, shorten it with scissors or a beard rule, so that it does not exceed a centimeter in length.
- Before waxing, clean the skin thoroughly, but without using excessively aggressive products that would remove the hydrolipidic film that protects it. Carefully dry the skin and, if you are sweaty, use talcum powder to improve wax adhesion.
- If you use hot waxing, follow the instructions on melting temperature and, before spreading it on the skin, pour a small drop on the arm to make sure it is not too hot: burns and irritations are always lurking.
- The wax must be applied with the spatula along the hair growth direction: in this way it will adhere better and the tear, which must ALWAYS take place in the opposite direction, will be more effective. Furthermore, while pulling in the opposite direction, keep the skin taut to limit pain and remove more hair. If these are not completely removed from the first strip, perform a second one, but without pouring the hot wax in the same point (so as not to further irritate the skin).
- Instead of traditional wax, a sugar-based wax can be used, whose working principle is identical to the previous one. The caramel substance has the advantage of being easily removable with a simple wash.
- Prefer cold waxing if you need to remove hair from sensitive areas, such as the groin or upper lip; the hot one is more suitable for arms, legs and chest.
- Avoid performing waxing during the premenstrual period, as close to the flow you are more sensitive to pain.
After waxing
- At the end of this small cosmetic operation, apply a moisturizing cream. Avoid alcohol-based perfumes and deodorants in the next 12 hours.
- Do not let the hair grow too much before repeating the treatment: if it is too long, it is more difficult to remove, the session is longer and the pain is greater.
- Do not expose yourself to UV radiation, natural or artificial, in the 12 hours following the treatment. If you can't avoid it, use a high protection sunscreen.
- Between one waxing and another it is good to exfoliate the treated region from time to time, so as to prevent the regrowth of ingrown hairs.
If, despite compliance with these recommendations, waxing continues to be a nightmare and its side effects are too obvious, choose a method of depilation or alternative hair removal (for more information: Unwanted hair).
