Waxing is today’s modern approach to smooth and flawless skin. If you are new to getting waxed, you are probably looking forward to smooth, hairless skin. Most likely, you already know that waxing can be done less frequently than shaving, but how often should you wax?
Today, we’ll help you with some information about the waxing process. Read on, and we will explain how often you should wax and why.
How Does Waxing Remove Hair?
The Application Process
When you come in for a waxing appointment, your esthetician will first prep your skin to ensure it is clean and ready for treatment. Practitioners will utilize either strip wax or ones applied in the direction of hair growth or the traditional hard wax. Paper or cloth strips are then used and placed over the wax material to facilitate removal. Hard wax does not require strips because it hardens on the skin to the point of being solid. Once hard, practitioners can pull it off with their fingers.
To remove the wax, your esthetician will gently tug opposite the direction of hair growth. The wax is only applied to the same skin area once, and practitioners can quickly tweeze any remaining hairs. Finally, the skin will be gently massaged and pampered with soothing oils.
The Physiology
Waxing pulls each hair out by the root, removing it from the follicle. As a result, hair is inhibited from growing back for the next several weeks. For this reason, you will not have to wax as often as shaving or using depilatory creams.
Shaving cuts off the top of the hair at the skin’s surface. The hair beneath the surface will emerge after just a few days. Depilatory creams work the same way, except they use chemicals to dissolve the visible hair rather than cutting it.
The Ultimate Results
When you are waxing frequently enough, the hair follicles become weak. After several sessions, you will find that they are easier to pull out because the strand cannot hang onto the root as strongly. Eventually, some of the follicles will become altered to the point of being unable to produce hair.
For these reasons, scheduling appointments consistently can give you thinner, lighter, more manageable hair. As an added benefit, your skin gradually becomes less sensitive to the process. This factor brings us back to the question: how often should you wax?
How Often Should You Wax?
The right time to wait between waxing appointments depends on your body and the area you want to treat. Your hair must be long before the treatment because the wax needs something to grab onto so it won’t fall. ¼ inch to ½ inch is a good length.
The frequency with which you should schedule your appointments depends on how fast the hair grows. This period will vary from person to person because everyone’s hair grows at a different rate. Here are some general guidelines:
The Face
Practitioners should wax the hair on your face every two to three weeks. It tends to grow back faster than the hair on other parts of your body. Commonly waxed areas of the face include the chin, upper lip, eyebrows, and cheeks. However, you can make an appointment for any site with unwanted hair.
The Underarms
You should have practitioners do waxing to your underarms every two weeks because when hair grows back in this area, it tends to be noticeable.
The Bikini Area
Waxing practitioners should handle this area every two weeks.
The Legs
The legs can typically go 3-5 weeks before growing back hair in between waxing sessions.
Longer Is Not Better
Although you’ll need to achieve a certain hair length to wax, hair that is too long will make the process more difficult. If the hairs are long enough to overlap, practitioners will cover some to the point that the wax cannot grip them.
Instead of waiting as long as possible between sessions, follow the guidelines above and wax when the hair is between ¼ inch and ½ inch long. If the length of your hair exceeds ½ inch, your esthetician may trim it. Alternatively, you can cut it yourself before your appointment.
Everything You Need to Know About Hair Growth Cycles
The appropriate time to leave between waxing appointments is determined, in part, by hair growth cycles. It is essential to understand this cyclesto determine how often you should wax.
The Different Stages of Hair Growth
Each of the five (5) million hairs you have been growing according to the following stages:
- The Anagen Phase – In this phase, the hair has grown to the point of being visible above the skin. It is the active phase during which experts can wax it.
- The Catagen Phase – In the Catagen phase, the hair transitions from an active state to a dormant one.
- The Telogen Phase – During this phase, the hair is dormant. It rests below the surface. Beneath it, new hair begins to form.
- The Exogen Phase – At this time, your body sheds the hair. Beneath it, the new one that started in the telogen phase can come up above the skin’s surface.
How Often Should You Wax?
Scheduling waxing appointments 2-5 weeks apart can help you gain the most benefits from waxing. You will need to wax the legs every 3 to 5 weeks. You will need to wax every 2 to 3 weeks for the face, bikini line, and underarms.
The time between appointments allows the hair to regrow to a “waxable” length and accommodates the emergence of hairs that weren’t previously in the active growth phase.
Waxing service is a great way to treat yourself to smooth, soft skin. Imagine the luxury of being able to put on a sleeveless shirt or a bathing suit without thinking about your unwanted hair. After you have been waxed, you can enjoy weeks of hairlessness.
The Bottomline
Waxing can be an effective regimen for those who deal with hair problems more often than we need to, especially when we have hairy anatomies. The frequency of waxing should be based on how much we genuinely need to do this procedure. Consult hair experts, doctors, or healthcare providers to know the much waxing you’ll need to straighten out your hair issues and concerns.
Do you need some waxing in your life right now? Our great friends at Refresh Medical Spa can help you today. Visit them now! https://refreshhealthspa.com
