Although winter is approaching and some will opt to go au naturale under layers of long sleeves, others will choose to stay hair-free. Keeping up with cutting down can be a hassle and some may even experience annoying side effects such as razor bumps, ingrown hairs and irritated skin. A simple switch to have a more long-term fix with fewer faux pas is waxing.
So what is waxing? Waxing is the process of removing hair from the body using a sticky, waxy substance that is heated and applied to the skin and then carefully pulled away, removing the hair from the follicle. The effects of a wax typically last for four to six weeks and then slowly the hair will begin to grow again. It is a myth that waxing results in thicker, darker hair regrowth. In fact, quite the opposite occurs. When waxed frequently the size of the hair follicle decreases over time and eventually, hair growth will fade in unwanted regions.
Generally speaking, any part of the body where there is hair can be waxed. The more popular types of waxes include eyebrow, underarm, bikini and Brazilian. An eyebrow wax is simply what it sounds like, a precise waxing session around the eyebrows. In addition to the waxing, your technician may also tweeze any hairs that the wax strip could not reach and trim longer brow hairs with a fine pair of scissors. This type of waxing can be painful for first-time waxers but is relatively painless and quick. Underarm waxing covers a larger surface area so some pain can be expected, however, it is not unbearable. Underarm waxing can actually be quite soothing after the wax, as the skin is smooth and warm. The benefit to an underarm wax is a lower chance of developing underarm stubble post hair removal, as well as slowed down hair re-growth.
Where things begin to get a little more serious and painful is below the waistline. Bikini and Brazilian waxes are not for the faint of heart. These waxes are painful. There is no way around that one, but for those looking for a low-maintenance way to keep kempt, waxing is the way. A full bikini wax removes hair from the panty line as well as from the front. The amount removed is up to you. A Brazilian wax takes away everything. Yes, everything. It spans from front to back and is the wax of all waxes. Once you have had a Brazilian wax you’ll be able to withstand anything. Just like the eyebrow wax, the more frequently you wax, the less pain you will experience. This again is due to the diminishing size of the hair follicles— just another benefit of waxing.
Locally there are several great waxing studios, but we here at The Edge recommend European Wax Center. The company is a trusted household name with hundreds of locations across the United States and each salon follows very specific cleaning and sanitizing protocol to ensure that your experience is not only safe but relaxing as well.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s waxing time!
