The Bare Truth about Body Waxing

So you’ve made the decision to brave the waxing experience! Whatever your reason for deciding to go bare, here’s some great info about waxing for both men and women! Despite what you’ve heard, it’s NOT the death defying, follicle ripping, hair raising experience you have pictured in your head. Waxing can be a very satisfying experience! Don’t believe me? Read on and make the most out of your waxing experience.

Will waxing make my hair grow back thicker or darker? Definitely not. Waxing cannot change the number of hair follicles you have, their size or pigment. In fact, if you wax regularly, you will notice that your hair becoming sparser and less coarse over time.

Will I get ingrown hairs? Possibly. Each person is very different when it comes to ingrown hairs. If you experience ingrown hairs from shaving, you could experience it from waxing. Exfoliation is key, after waxing I suggest using a gentle sugar scrub about 48-72 hours after waxing and then 1 to 2 days a week after that. The basic components I like to see in a exfoliation scrub include: Sugar, lemon juice, olive oil and a few drops essential oils (tea tree, lavender and sweet orange - because of their antibacterial, antimicrobial effect).

Will my skin become red and irritated? Yes. But this varies for each person, depending on sensitivity. It is normal to turn red and for the skin to develop small, red bumps everywhere. This is only temporary and usually only lasts for 24 hours.

Is it painful? That also depends on your sensitivity. Remember, you are ripping hairs out of their cozy little home for the first time. Its not comfortable, however not nearly as painful as most first-timers imagine it to be.

How long does the hair have to be? For facial waxing I say over an ⅛ inch. For body waxing I prefer between a ¼ and ½ inch for better, longer lasting results.

Myth: You don't need to exfoliate if you wax. Waxing does not replace exfoliating. Waxing does exfoliate the first layer of skin, however prepping the skin by washing and exfoliating well is the best way to prevent bumps and ingrown hairs.

Myth: You only need to wax in the summer. If you enjoy experiencing the pain of that first time wax this might be the case. However, the trick with body waxing is to stay consistent. Usually coming in every 8 weeks or less, the hairs come out of the follicle much easier (read: less pain!) This method will also encourage the hair to stay on the same growth cycle (smoother results!) and the hair to become sparse and less coarse over time.

Tip: Try to relax! Close your eyes and take deep breaths. When you tense up, so do those hair follicles, causing some resistance.

Tip: Don’t exfoliate the same day as your wax. This can cause the skin to lift (read: be removed). This is true for the face and body. For this same reason, people that use Accutane or Retin-A should not wax because it causes extreme thinning of the skin and deteriorates the collagen that hold the skin cells together.

Most Popular Types of Body Waxing For Men

The Back Wax: Probably the most popular waxing service for men, hair is removed from the tops of the shoulders to just below the underwear line. Time to complete this service is all dependent on the amount of hair to be removed, usually anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes.

The Chest Wax: Though a more sensitive area for most men, this is probably the most life changing for many men that have ever shaved this area. Also dependent on the amount of hair, this area takes anywhere from 30 to 45 minutes to complete.

The Stomach Wax: Definitely the most tolerable waxing, it’s usually accompanied by the chest wax and is very easily finished in 15 to 30 minutes.

Most Popular Types of Body Waxing For Women

The Leg Wax: Can be done either ½ leg or full leg, the ½ leg goes just above the knee down to the ankle bone. Full leg is just as it sounds, does not include the hip or bikini area. Time required for ½ leg: 30 to 45 minutes. Full leg: 45 to 60 minutes.

The Bikini Wax: Tidying up of the areas outside of the underwear or bikini line that you can see while standing up, can include a bit on the inside of the legs if desired. There are all types of definitions of Bikini Wax, tell your esthetician what you’re wanting to remove so she can tell you what type of bikini wax it is (as well as the cost). Time: 15 to 30 minutes.

The Brazilian Wax: All hair is removed - front to back, this includes the hair between the butt cheeks (which everybody has). If you want a “landing strip” left, just let your professional know before you get started. Time: 30 to 60 minutes.