Wax On-Wax Off
Woman massaging legs sitting on white background
Are you thinking about waxing? Are you curious as to the process? Why is waxing better than shaving?
What happens? Warm wax is applied to the chosen area and removed in the opposite direction of the hair growth, pulling hairs out from the root.
Great For:Eyebrows, lip, chin, legs, underarms and bikini areas. Especially great for those with coarse, darker hair that tends to be stubborn.
What’s the benefit? Temporarily removes hair at the root for an average of three weeks of smooth skin, which can range from two to six weeks depending on your hair type and thickness. With shaving regrowth happens quickly within one to two days on average, and since hair is cut off at the surface, regrown hair is blunt, not tapered, so it can appear thicker. Razor burn, nicks and cuts are possibilities and those who shave regularly can also become prone to ingrown hairs.
Any cons to waxing? Waxing requires some regrowth in order to be effective, as the wax needs at least a quarter inch of stubble to adhere to. Treatments can be mildly to moderately painful, as hair is indeed being pulled by the root, but it becomes more tolerable over time. Waxing can also sometimes result in ingrown hairs.
The benefits, far outweigh the cons, and there are things you can do to ensure your visit is a good one:
Facts and Tips
Drinking alcohol does NOT lessen the pain of waxing, in fact alcohol tightens pores and can make the process needlessly painful. Stimulants, like coffee, can also increase sensitivity. Drink lots of water the day prior to your appointment as well as the day of and if you’re really concerned, take an Ibuprofen prior to your appointment.
Why is waxing more painful sometimes than others? When we are tired, run down and stressed, life in general can seem more 'painful'. This is no different when having your hair removed. Three days prior to menstruation, we are known to be more sensitive.
Gentle exfoliation is recommended before your wax. The day before your appointment, exfoliate the area gently to help the wax grab the hair, not the skin. The less dead skin the better the wax will come off. It also helps lift hair that’s just below the surface and can help prevent ingrown hair.
Moisturize the area daily. A well moisturized area allows the wax to release from the area. Keeping your skin hydrated keeps it supple and therefore more likely to deter ingrown hairs and general skin irritations.
Quality wax is the key and a quality spa should tell you what they use. The Healing Garden Day Spa uses both Hard and Soft waxes. The hard wax is called Cirépil. Unlike traditional methods of waxing, Cirépil wax sticks to the hair rather than the skin, reducing the pain of waxing by 50%! Cirépil wax encapsulates the hair, removing it from the root while leaving the skin virtually undamaged. The soft wax is not really a wax at all, it’s Nufree, a soy based, soft hair remover that’s great for skin with sensitivities as it’s gentle. Nufree is a natural, self-preserving antibacterial/antimicrobial, anhydrous botanical formula. It too does not stick to the skin, just wrapping around the hair, reducing the pain considerably.
Make your appointment for silk smooth skin today!