When it comes to hair removal, there are tons of different options to choose from. One of the most popular, by far, is waxing. Since waxing removes the hair completely and not just from the surface of the skin, it leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth. It also is a lot more long-lasting than just regular shaving. Many people opt for waxing for these reasons, but how long does waxing typically last?
Waxing lasts anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks on average. But… there are tons of different factors that affect the longevity of waxing. Depending on what type of wax you use, the area you’re waxing, and whether or not you’re getting it done professionally, the longevity can vary.
So let’s dive into how these factors affect how long the results of waxing really last.
What factors affect how long waxing lasts?
Like we said before, different factors can impact the longevity of your waxing results. Specifically, let’s talk about the different types of wax you can use, the area you are waxing, and whether you’re getting it done professionally or doing it yourself.
Types of Wax
There are different types of wax that you can use when waxing. They fall into two categories: hard wax and soft wax. They can both be used to remove hair efficiently. With soft wax, it requires a strip to remove the hair. With hard wax, you can peel the wax directly off of the skin once it hardens. One rule of thumb is that hard wax is better for smaller areas and soft wax is better for larger areas.
Waxing Area
Different areas of the body grow hair faster than others. So it makes sense that some areas will grow back faster than others. For example, the bikini area can grow back slower than the legs, which tend to grow back the fastest.
Experience (Professional vs DIY)
Whether you’re getting waxing done professionally or doing it yourself at home plays a huge role in how long it lasts. Getting it done professionally usually makes it last longer. This is simply because they are more experienced and know what they are doing. When you wax yourself, you often don’t do it correctly, miss spots, and cause painful irritation.
Is there anything you can do to help results from waxing last longer?
The best way to make waxing last longer is to keep sticking to it. Over time, the hair is going to grow back thinner and more sparse. Because of this, you want to avoid shaving in between waxing sessions.
How does waxing compare?
You may be asking yourself how long other methods of hair removal last? Some other common hair removal methods include shaving, threading, and epilating. Let’s talk about how often you have to maintain hair removal using these other methods.
How long does shaving last?
It’s easy to say that shaving is one of the most common methods of hair removal – everyone does it. However, it also requires the most maintenance. To keep a clean shave, you have to shave every 1 to 3 days depending on how fast your hair grows.
How long does threading last?
Again, it is important to remember that everyone’s hair grows at different rates. But, on average, the results of threading usually last anywhere from 2 to 5 weeks.
How long does epilating last?
Epilating is similar to waxing, as it removes the hair from the root. Because of this, over time, the hair will likely grow back thinner and more sparse. On average, you have to keep up with epilating every 4 weeks.
Final Thoughts
After reading this, we hope you’ve gained a more comprehensive understanding of how long waxing truly lasts. Always keep in mind that it depends on a variety of different factors such as the area you are waxing and if you’re getting it professionally done. Overall, it is a great method of hair removal that a lot of people find no problem maintaining.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you control the pain of waxing?
Waxing is a bit painful, but it should never be unbearable. If the pain really gets to you or if you just have a low pain tolerance, try taking an Advil about an hour or so before waxing. This might help to ease the pain. Also, right after waxing, apply an aloe vera gel to the area to soothe it. Over time, you should be able to handle the pain better.
How long does the hair need to be before waxing?
Generally speaking, the hair should be at least ¼ inch long before waxing. This will allow the wax to stick to the hair and pull it out from the root. If it is more than ½ inch, you may want to consider trimming it before waxing to yield the best results.
Who should not wax their hair?
Of course, with any kind of treatment, there are some people who shouldn’t do it. You should not wax if you are on certain kinds of medications. Some of the most common medications where you cannot wax when you’re on it are Accutane and RetinA. Also, you should not wax if you have hypersensitive skin. This includes skin that gets irritated and inflamed easily. You should not wax areas that have open sores or areas that are already irritated. If you have diabetes, you should not wax. This is because people with diabetes are more susceptible to infection and it makes it harder to heal. These are just some contraindications with waxing. But always do your own research if you have questions about your specific condition or situation.