Thinking about waxing

How do you remove it? 

There is nothing more satisfying than getting rid of something that no longer serves you. Whether you have it all naturel, trim it down or remove it all, what you do with your body hair is a personal choice and anything goes. However, if you choose to remove your body hair then there are even more choices to think about – shave, wax, epilate? Pluck, thread, laser? Whatever method you currently use, the chances are that you’ve thought about waxing.

Both men and women like the idea of being hair free for a few weeks but are put off by some of the hair-removal horror stories they’ve read about. But how much of this waxing hearsay is true?

If you decide to go down the waxing route this season, you’ve probably heard a lot of myths about getting it done. If you’re second-guessing your wax-appointment, the good news is that not everything you’ve heard is necessarily true.

Here are some of the most common misconceptions about waxing, so you might just be tempted away from that razor.

1. MYTH: Waxing hurts A LOT

Yes, waxing does hurt. As waxing involves pulling the hair from the root, it’s obviously going to hurt more than simply shaving it off. But is the pain from waxing unbearable? The truth is that everyone’s pain threshold is different, so what might be too much for some is barely noticeable for others. Waxing different areas of the body also comes into play. If done quickly and efficiently, it’s not that painful. Plus, it’s always worse the first time. With years of shaving, the hairs can be thicker. Most people report that the pain from waxing lessens significantly each session, and it’s also worth mentioning that our pain thresholds can change due to different factors.

We may be more sensitive to pain when run-down or ill, and women often feel it more a couple of days before their period. If you plan your wax at a good time and choose a professional, then there’s no reason why the sting should put you off waxing. Another way to make your waxing experience less painful is to wax regularly. By having frequent sessions, about every 4-6 weeks, will not only give you visibly smoother results, but it will also be less painful. 

Why do we recommend regularity? Because there are 4 different stages of hair growth and each stage grows at the same pace.

2. MYTH: You have to let your hair grow for weeks and weeks before.

 Partly a myth. Nowadays the hairs can be waxed at much shorter lengths than before. Hairs only need to be around a quarter of an inch in length for the legs and bikini area, and an eighth of an inch is all that's needed for your brows. However as mentioned before your hairs have 4 different stages of growth and leaving relevant time between your waxes means you will get a full wax as a pose to having a wax too early and needing it more frequent.

3. MYTH: A bikini wax will be embarrassing.

Bikini lines are one of the most annoying areas to keep in good shape, but some people don’t like the idea of letting a therapist near such an intimate area. The important thing to remember is we do this day after day – and will likely have waxed several bikini lines before yours that day! If you’re feeling uncomfortable, simply explain this to your therapist and they’ll be happy to alter their method to give you more modesty when you need it.

Things to remember about waxing
Exfoliating before your wax is important. Exfoliation removes any dead skin cells that are sitting on the skin’s surface, i.e the dirt, grime, impurities, bacteria and excess oil that can either clog the pores, cause acne, blemishes or ingrown hairs. 

Exfoliating before a wax could cause the hairs to point up and encourage it to grow in the correct direction. This could help lift any ingrown hairs so the wax could catch and remove them.

How often should I exfoliate?

Exfoliate once or twice a week - Do not over exfoliate as this could cause irritation and soreness. Ensure you wait a few days post wax to exfoliate and make sure your final scrub is the day before your wax. When exfoliating do not use any harsh, abrasive materials. A little scrub will do the trick. Speak to one of us at Sleek Aesthetics on the best exfoliating method.