5 Myths About Waxing You’ll Be Glad to Let Go
There are many myths floating around about body hair removal in general.
Did you know that shaving doesn’t make hair grow back darker and thicker?
But perhaps the most myths of all have to do with waxing.
From the best ways to wax to its effects on your skin, there are so many misconceptions floating around that it is hard to know what’s true.
In this article, we’ll clear up some of the worst offenders so you can wax with confidence.
Myth 1: You Need Long Hair to Wax
On the surface, this myth seems to make sense.
It’s easy to imagine that if the hairs are too short, the waxing agent won’t be able to get enough grip.
But if you believe this myth, it means you would be stuck letting your unwanted hair grow before you can remove it again. For many, that would be enough of a reason not to wax.
In reality, longer hair can actually make the waxing hurt more. So if you have been staunchly abiding by this myth, you’ll be happy to know that waxing is suddenly going to get a whole lot more comfortable.
In order for the wax to grip body hair, you need approximately a quarter of an inch, or 4mm. For brows, you need about an eighth.
No need to break out the ruler; this isn’t an exact science. As you become more experienced, you’ll know what works for you.
Myth 2: You Should Shave In Between Waxing Sessions
Maybe you want to push out the distance between waxing sessions, or you think shaving is easier.
Or maybe you think that your skin needs a break from waxing.
In reality, shaving between waxing sessions means you lose most of the benefits of waxing. Shaving can leave you with razor burn and ingrown hairs, meaning your next waxing session will be less effective.
Plus, consistent waxing leads to the hair growing back thinner, with less firmly established roots. Plus, hair grows back in three cycles rather than all at once, with follicles being active at different times. Regular waxing means you can catch your body hair at all points in the cycle.
This means that after a few sessions, the amount of pain will decrease, and you may even need to wax less frequently.
If you’re shaving in between, this won’t happen. To take advantage of all the benefits of waxing, throw your razor in the trash.
Myth 3: Waxing Exfoliates Your Skin
The thought behind this myth is that the wax sticks to your skin as well as the hairs.
When the wax is pulled off, so the thinking goes, so are dead skin cells, thus exfoliating your skin so you don’t have to.
Yes, waxing does remove some dead skin cells similar to how exfoliating works. However, it is not a replacement for it.
It is important to exfoliate lightly after waxing. This will make sure that you keep any possible ingrown hairs at bay. It ensures the pores stay closed, making you less prone to bacterial infection.
It will also leave you skin feeling wonderfully soft, especially when combined with the natural benefits of your wax.
Plus, exfoliating your skin the day before you wax as well will make the whole experience better. Removing dead skin frees any trapped hairs, making them easier to remove.
Myth 4: Waxing Hurts Terribly
Of course, waxing will cause some pain.
The amount of pain also differs based on your individual pain tolerance.
Even for the same individual, sometimes it will hurt more or less; this can depend on your stress levels, how tired you are and, if you are a woman, whether you are menstruating.
However, depictions of waxing in pop culture are often over the top. For most people, the discomfort is mild to moderate, and goes away fairly quickly.
If you do have sensitive skin or a low pain tolerance, there are a number of things you can do to make waxing more comfortable.
Some waxers take an Advil or two thirty minutes before their waxing session, or using a numbing cream.
Plus, properly looking after your skin afterward will help too. Light exfoliating and moisturizing will cool the skin and keep it healthy. A post-wax cream will also help the skin feel better; it also removes any wax residue.
Myth 5: Waxing Causes Wrinkles
Whew! This is a good myth to clear up.
This myth puts forward the idea that waxing your face will cause wrinkles over time. Because the waxing strips pull on your skin, it will lead to wrinkles down the road. The eyes, it is said, are particularly sensitive.
This is an absolute myth.
In reality, wrinkles have a number of causes and occur over the long term. Sun exposure, genetics, stress, and more all affect how wrinkles form on your skin. Waxing, however, has nothing to do with this.
This is because when you wax, your skin is held taut. You don’t pull the skin with the waxing strip. Because the skin is held and doesn’t move, there isn’t the stretching effect that this myth suggests.
Of course, if you waxed daily it may stress your skin just because you are doing it so frequently. However, there is no need to do this; as long as you wax according to a reasonable regular schedule, your skin will be fine.
Wrapping Up
In this article, we’ve busted some of the most common myths about waxing.
From leading you to let your body hair grow too long, to shaving in between waxing sessions, believing these myths just makes waxing less comfortable and effective.
Now that you know the truth about waxing, you can enjoy it and your silky smooth skin with confidence.
Do you have more questions about waxing, or want some help picking the wax that is right for you? Contact us and we will clear up your questions and set you on the path to great skin in no time.
