Waxing

Waxing is a temporary method of hair removal which removes the hair at the root. New hairs do not grow back in the waxed area for three to eight weeks. Almost any area of the body can be waxed, including eye brows, face, bikini area, legs, arms, back, abdomen and feet.

Waxing is accomplished by spreading a wax combination thinly over the skin. A cloth strip is pressed on the top and then ripped off with a quick movement. This removes the wax along with the hair and dead skin cells leaving the skin smooth.

New hair growth in waxed areas is soft and fine, not sharp and coarse like shaved hair. After repeated waxing, hair regrowth is less common and eventually some hair never regrows.

Table of contents

1 Types of Waxing 2 Benefits and Drawbacks 3 Cautions 4 External Link

Types of Waxing

Various types of waxing are available. Some must be performed by a licensed cosmetologist or esthetician. The different types of waxing that can be performed are:

• Eye brow waxing
• Full face waxing
• Bikini & Brazilian waxing
• Leg waxing
• Arm/underarm waxing
• Back waxing
• Feet waxing

Most parts of the body can be waxed, but other parts not listed above are not given special consideration. Areas you should never wax include the male genitals, nipples, inside the ears and nose and eyelashes.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Benefits of waxing versus other forms of hair removal:

• Long lasting. Hair in areas waxed will not grow back from three to eight weeks. When hair does grow back, it is soft and not coarse like shaved hair.
• Waxing will not increase the growth of the hair.
• When the hair is shaved or removed by depilatory cream, the hair is removed at the surface. Within a few days, the hair can be seen at the surface and the stubble can be felt.

Drawbacks of waxing:

• Pain. The removal of the strip is painful and sharp, though it is short-lasting.
• Expense. Waxing is usually performed by a licensed cosmetologist and can be expensive. Home waxing supplies are available but are difficult to use on self for some areas of the body.
• Hair removal is not permanent.
• As the waxed strip is removed against the direction of hair growth, hair follicles may be disturbed so that hairs start to grow in different directions. This may make hair growth more noticeable and make other methods of hair removal (such as electrolysis) more difficult.

Cautions

Some physicians do not recommend waxing for persons suffering from diabetes or who have varicose veins or poor circulation as they are more susceptible to infection.

Users of Retin-A, Renova, Differin or Accutane are advised not to have waxing performed as these medications tend to weaken the skin and tearing of the skin may occur when the wax is removed.

Waxing should not be done on areas of skin affected by warts, pimples, moles or rashes or on skin that is irritated, chapped or suffering from sunburn. Never apply wax to peeling, broken skin or varicose veins.

See also: Electrolysis

External Link

• An online FAQ on hair removal including waxing

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Waxing is also a term applied to the moon when it is approaching fullness. Its counter-term, waning, refers to the moon's regression.