Male Waxing 101: Tips and Tricks
Male hair removal is a perennial favorite of late-night comics and fraternity boy hijinx. Almost everyone has watched a man scream in pain while getting his chest waxed on a comedy show. But beauty standards for men are steadily changing, and many women now expect their mates to spend just as much energy maintaining their bodies as women do. Waxing doesn’t have to be a traumatic, painful experience, and with the right product, you may even find that waxing is a much better experience than shaving.
Trim First
If you have thick body hair that you’re trying to wax into oblivion, trim it first. This makes hair removal much less painful. You’ll need to have enough hair for the wax to grab, so aim for a buzz cut look when you trim. Your hair should be between 1/4 and 1/2 inch after a trimming session, but it’s ok if some hairs are a bit longer.
Treat Your Skin
Waxing is a lot easier on your skin than shaving, but this doesn’t mean you can just throw on a bunch of wax and let it rip. Exfoliating your skin beforehand reduces your risk of ingrown hairs, and will yield a sleeker, smoother look. Products with mint ingredients in them are particularly soothing to the skin and can help reduce the pain of waxing.
Prevent Excessive Pain
Waxing can sting, but the pain should not be excruciating. Take Ibuprofen or Tylenol thirty minutes or so beforehand. Don’t wax when you’re sick, exhausted, or have just exercised, because doing so can make you more sensitive to pain.
Use High-Quality Wax
A high-quality wax can mean the difference between smooth, clear skin and a patchy, irritated mess. Pick a product that contains soothing ingredients, and avoid cheap waxes that are sold on pre-waxed strips or that don’t list their ingredients. A high-quality wax easily grabs the hair, making it come out more easily – and with less pain.
Enlist Some Help
Sure, you can go it alone, but do you really want to do your first waxing job yourself? Your chest, back and legs can be particularly challenging to do on your own, and will require quite a bit of bending and reaching. If you mess up, you’ll be stuck with ugly patches and may be permanently turned off of waxing. Instead, try getting a pro to do it the first time, and consider selecting your own wax and taking it with you. If you’re not interested in setting foot inside a beauty shop, try enlisting the assistance of your spouse, girlfriend, or a very patient female friend. Women know that waxing can be stressful, and they’re likely to be much more sympathetic than your buddies.
A new age is dawning for men, and if you want to keep up with trends, you need to keep up with your body hair. Just a few minutes with a jar of wax is all you need to complete your male beauty ritual.
