Waxing is still one of the most widely used methods to remove hair from different parts of the body. This formula was already used in ancient times. There are records of its use in ancient Egypt, where men and women removed hair from their skin with a formula of sugar and hot lemon.
It was also used in Greece and Rome, especially among the upper classes. It is a custom that continued during the Middle Ages and grew in the Renaissance, with the rise of fashion and the importance imposed on beauty.
Today, waxes used for hair removal are made from natural pine or bee resins as well as synthetic resins. The formulation also includes other waxes for consistency, vegetable oils to make the mixture more malleable and flavorings.
Waxing can be used on legs, arms, underarms, eyebrows and even the bikini area. Hot wax and cold wax are normally used. The former is heated and applied with a spatula, while the latter is usually applied to the skin with prefabricated strips.
Hot and cold waxes have different ways of use and consequences (pain, irritation, effectiveness…), so before choosing one or the other, it is convenient to know the idiosyncrasies of each format.
When to wax with hot wax?
The wax is heated to the appropriate temperature. It should remain liquid, but not burnt. It is then applied to the skin with a spatula in the direction of hair growth. A strip of paper is then placed over the wax to ensure adhesion.
Once cooled and slightly solidified, it is suddenly removed to eliminate the hair by the root. If you do not make a quick and forceful movement, the hair will not be pulled out by the root and could cause a lot of pain.
The use of hot wax is recommended when the hair is stronger and thicker, such as in the armpits and groin. It is the most indicated method for men.
Advantages of hot wax
It is a method that can be performed both in beauty salons and at home and is easy to use.
The good thing about hot waxing is that the heat helps to open the pores of the skin and this makes subsequent hair removal easier. In addition, by adhering better to the skin, it also allows better grasping of the hairs and more effective and painless removal.
And finally, by removing the hair at the root, the results are longer lasting.
Disadvantages of hot wax
The disadvantages of waxing include the risk of burns, especially if the temperature of the wax is too high. In addition, sensitive skin may experience irritation. It is also not recommended for use in more sensitive areas of the body such as the face and intimate areas. Although this will depend on the person and their degree of sensitivity.
When to wax with cold wax?
Cold wax began to be used for hair removal a few decades ago, as a more convenient and faster alternative to hot wax.
In this case, wax strips are used that do not need to be heated. To use it, remove the paper covering the strip and place it on the skin, pressing hard so that it adheres. It is then also removed vigorously to try to pull out the hair by the root.
Advantages of cold wax
The best thing about this method is its ease of use and also its portability, as it allows you to do it anytime, anywhere. There is also no risk of burns.
Disadvantages of cold wax
However, because the wax is not heated, it does not adhere as well to the skin, so it does not achieve the same effectiveness as hot wax. This also causes the duration of the results to be shorter and the pain may also be greater.
Finally, it is a method that should not be used on coarse hair because of the lack of adhesion.
Hot wax or cold wax?
Now that you know a little more about the particularities of each wax, a very clear summary to know which type of wax you should use is the following:
- With skin sensitivity, cold wax will be less irritating during waxing.
- For the first few times, it is better to try cold wax, as it is easier to use and has fewer associated risks.
- For longer-lasting results, hot wax removes hair from the root more effectively.
- For convenience and portability, cold wax is more convenient because it does not require pre-heating and comes in ready-to-use strip format.
- For coarse hair, hot wax because it adheres better.
Regardless of the choice of wax, the skin can be prepared for less irritation during and after waxing. For this purpose, it must be clean, without any cream or oil residues. A previous exfoliation will also help to remove dead cells and make the wax adhere better.
Working on small sections of the skin will make the job longer, but much more effective. When removing the wax, it should always be done in the opposite direction of hair growth.
And finally, moisturizing the skin is very important to keep it soft and protect it after waxing.
Remember that there is a more comfortable method of hair removal than waxing. Laser hair removal is currently an economical, effective and long-lasting solution, with visible results in just a few sessions.
