With more and more people trading in their shaving razors for regular waxing sessions at the salon, they can’t help but wonder if their fierce (not to mention, painful!) dedication will eventually be rewarded with permanent results. We don’t blame you – the look of smooth, hair-free skin after a waxing session is seriously addictive! Can’t we have that all day, every day?!
Luckily for you, this article will finally put all your speculations to rest. Today, we unravel the truth behind waxing and its ability to remove hair permanently. But before we get to the million-dollar question, let’s take a few detours to answer equally important questions that will help you gain a better understanding of waxing. We discuss everything from how waxing works to the long-term effects of regular waxing. Buckle up, and let’s begin!
How Does Waxing Work?
To put it simply, waxing is the process of removing hair from the roots. It involves wax made of extracts from tree sap, beeswax, or other natural ingredients, that when applied to the skin, glides smoothly over the hair and clings tightly upon drying. For hot wax, in particular, the heat also helps in opening up the pores for more seamless hair removal.
After applying, the wax is removed with a cloth strip to completely pluck the hair from the follicle. Results are instant! On top of enjoying hair-free skin immediately, you will not be burdened by the thought of waking up the next day with signs of premature regrowth. In that regard, it is a more worthwhile approach to hair removal compared to shaving, which only cuts the hair from the surface of the skin. Plus, you can bid farewell to razor burns, cuts, and chicken skin!
Sounds like a good deal? Definitely!
Does Waxing Damage Hair Follicles?
Yes, waxing damages our hair follicles – which is exactly why it works so well!
Waxing removes our hair from the root, leaving our hair follicles empty. This is why, compared to shaving, it takes a lot longer for our hair to grow back. And by the time it does grow back, hair is a lot thinner than before!
Long story short: By damaging our hair follicles, waxing can lead to less hair growth and a longer time between sessions. A win-win if you ask us!
What Are The Downsides Of Waxing?
Just like any cosmetic procedure, waxing is not without its share of risks. Make sure to keep these things in mind before heading to the salon.
Waxing is painful.
Because it rips hairs out by the roots, not only is the process painful, but it could also leave tiny wounds under the surface. That is why it is best to get it done by a professional skin therapist who is skilled at handling your hair with care. Here at Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty, we end our waxing sessions with a cream to soothe and heal your skin, as well as provide recommendations on the best aftercare practices. Here are other practical tips you can do to lessen the pain after a waxing session.
- Apply cold compress or ice to the treatment area to help reduce the discomfort.
- Wear loose clothing, as friction can cause irritation and exacerbate post-wax pain.
- Stay away from hot baths or showers. This may trigger skin sensitivities and reactions.
If you find that even after multiple sessions, you still feel uncomfortable, you can consult us for other alternative hair removal treatments that are less painful in nature.
Waxing too often can cause infection.
According to New York-based dermatologist Jessica Krant, in an article about the dangers of bikini waxing, the process hurts because hairs are firmly attached to their roots and are, technically, a part of the body. When we remove the hair, we force the strands to detach, leaving behind wounded follicles. Moreover, the topmost layer of your skin is removed as well, making those open pores vulnerable to infection. This is often the reason for bacteria, bumps, and pimples appearing in the area.
By waxing too often, the risks are even higher. We’d hate to burst your bubble, but that means staying away from DIY waxing! Many at-home waxing kits promise an easy fix to hair removal, with many advocates using it on a daily basis. But what is commonly overlooked are the consequences after. Users tend to skip the healing part, thinking that the process ends after the hairs are pulled out. In a salon or a clinical setting, the aftermath is crucial! We apply an antiseptic cream after the procedure to minimise infection and related risks. Note to self: Drop the tools, and trust the professionals!
You have to wait for significant hair growth before booking your next waxing session.
Perhaps the most notable downside to choosing the waxing route for your unwanted hair is that you have to wait until they are long enough to start waxing again. Why? You need to achieve a certain hair length for the wax to stick to. If it’s too short, chances are, the wax won’t be able to catch unwanted hair, which will take longer for the process to be completed. That leads us to our next question!
How Long Do Results Last Before Hair Grows Back?
While we wish the answer was as straightforward as the process, that is unfortunately not the case with waxing. The speed of hair growth will ultimately depend on the person.
Ideally, if you are not genetically predisposed to thick and fast hair growth, it may take 3 to 6 weeks before you start noticing visible hair. For the luckier ones, it may even take months! On the other hand, some people have hyperactive follicles and might see new hair resurfacing after only a few days.
Whatever the case may be, one thing is certain – most people hope that multiple waxing sessions will eventually lead to permanent hair removal altogether. In fact, for those of you not familiar with the nitty-gritty of waxing, this assumption may be the reason you wax in the first place. With all that said, let’s get to the big question on everyone’s mind!
Can Waxing Really Lead To Permanent Hair Removal?
We won’t sugarcoat it – waxing is not advised for those of you who want to remove hair permanently. Yes, it effectively plucks the hair from the root, which means the follicle has nothing to grow for the time being. This deep removal is why people often mistake waxing for a permanent solution. However, while you will be able to enjoy this carefree feeling for a few weeks, it won’t last forever! For most people, at least.
Because waxing leads to damaged hair follicles and overall weaker hair, some people do experience minimal to zero regrowth. However, this is rare, and if you do happen to be one of them, then we envy you! But in most cases, the hair follicle heals and hair growth resumes.
Now, since we hate ending our articles with sad news, we will say this: There are still some great long-term benefits with waxing! If you stay loyal to this method, you will eventually experience slower regrowth and finer, thinner hair. That may not be the reward you were hoping for, but it’s definitely a great consolation prize! Here’s what you can look forward to.
Long-Term Benefits Of Waxing
Slower hair growth
Various factors can affect new hair growth, and it’s not just attributable to whether you wax too often or not. Your DNA and your diet can play a major role in your hair’s growth cycle. The same goes with hormones – an imbalance could affect the texture and speed by which your hair will grow back.
All that considered, it is believed that frequent waxing can eventually slow down the growth of hair. You may notice longer periods between waxing sessions, and overall fewer hair strands once they grow back. While this is mostly based on personal testaments from our customers rather than actual clinical studies, it is definitely worth trying it out for yourself!
Fine, thin hair
Each time hair is taken out from the follicle, the base progressively weakens. This leads to new hair that is visibly finer and thinner in texture. The more sessions you have, the higher the possibility of seeing these results. In fact, some of our customers claim that new hair growth is barely noticeable at a certain point. Keep up the waxing (without overdoing it of course!), and you may get the same benefits!
Do these long-term results make waxing worth it? We think so! While they may not be permanent, it is still a whole lot better than shaving on the daily.
Waxing Do’s And Don’ts
Now that we’ve cleared the air, we hope this encourages you to continue waxing with these enjoyable benefits in mind! If you decide to opt for it as a long-term solution to hair removal, we’ll leave you with these tips moving forward.
During the first 24 hours:
- Avoid hot showers and steam baths.
- Avoid sunbathing, direct sunlight, and even artificial tanning.
- Don’t wear tight clothing; waxed skin needs air to breathe and recover.
- Avoid using perfumed and oil-based products in and around the area.
- Don’t touch the waxed areas, as exposed follicles are susceptible to infection.
- Avoid products that contain AHA (alpha hydroxy acids) as they might irritate your exposed follicles.
After 24 hours:
- Use a gentle scrub on the area after three days. This will help you carefully exfoliate to get rid of dead skin cells and leftover wax residue.
- Use a good sunscreen and protect your skin from direct sun exposure.
- Use a moisturiser to keep your skin hydrated and smooth.
In-between waxing sessions:
- Don’t schedule a waxing session during your period as your skin is extra sensitive at this time. It could lead to damaged skin, bumps, and wounds. As an added measure, avoid scheduling at least a week before your period is due.
- Don’t shave between waxing sessions. This will extend the ideal period between waxes and could interfere with your overall hair growth cycle. By doing so, hair growth may be quicker versus your previous waxing session. Plus, hair may grow back thicker and more coarse.
Permanent Hair Removal Treatments
Our clinicians at Lovoir Skin Body & Beauty have the training and expertise to provide advice on ways to guarantee hair removal the safe way. If you’re ready to take the leap, check out our waxing treatments to book your next session with us!
Book waxing here
Now if you decide that waxing is not for you and want to explore more permanent methods, you can book a consultation with us and we’ll help you get to the roof of your hair problem – pun intended!
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