Body waxing is a convenient and effective method to remove unwanted facial or body hair. While not a permanent fix, waxing lasts much longer than shaving or using depilatories, since during this process hair is removed from the root. Waxing is frequently used as a successful means of removing unwanted hair from the eyebrows, upper lip, chin, underarms, legs, back, and bikini area. The treated area usually remains smooth and hairless for 4 to 6 weeks.
Candidates for Body Waxing
Almost anyone with unwanted hair is a candidate for body waxing, though the individual must be prepared to experienced some discomfort or pain during the process. Individual sensitivities vary so some people tolerate waxing on certain parts of their body more easily than others. Whenever the skin is in an unusually sensitive condition, body waxing should be avoided since in such situations the skin is more prone to “lifting,” meaning that the top layer of the skin can be torn away during the waxing process. Because of this, individuals in the following categories are not good candidates for body waxing:
- Those taking blood thinners or corticosteroids
- Those who have psoriasis, eczema or rosacea
- Those with autoimmune diseases, like lupus
- Those who are sunburned, have infections or cold sores
- Those with severe varicose veins
- Those who have undergone recent laser treatment
- Those who have undergone recent chemical peels
Types of Body Waxing Procedures
There are two basic types of body waxing procedures: strip waxing and strip-less waxing.
Strip Waxing
During strip waxing, a thin layer of soft wax is spread over the area and a cloth or paper strip is applied and pressed firmly. The goal is to have the strip adhere to the wax and the wax adhere to the skin so that when the strip is quickly pulled off against the direction of hair growth, the hair is effectively removed. If the process is performed carefully, although there is brief pain involved, skin trauma is minimized and bruising, ingrown hairs and broken capillaries are avoided.
Strip-Less Waxing
During strip-less waxing, a hard wax is applied to the skin in a thick layer and no cloth or paper strips are employed. When the wax cools and hardens, it is easily removed. Since during the strip-less method of body waxing the wax does not adhere as tightly to the skin as during strip waxing, this process if a better option for individuals with sensitive skin and finer hairs. It is also a less painful method of body waxing.
Sugar Waxing
Sugaring is a hair removal technique that uses an all-natural paste to pull off body hair. The paste consists of only three ingredients: lemon, sugar, and water. That’s it! There are no additives or cloth strips involved, making it a natural alternative and more environmentally conscious alternative to traditional wax. Sugaring has actually been used for centuries for hair removal, and it has roots in ancient Egyptian and Middle Eastern cultures.
Sugaring paste is soft enough to penetrate into the pores, where it adheres to individual hairs, and pulls them out from the roots. The technician starts the treatment by cleaning the skin with a gentle cleanser made of ingredients like aloe, witch hazel, and tea tree oil. Then, powder is put on the area to provide a protective barrier between the skin and the paste. The technician molds the paste in their hands to warm it up and make it easier to work with. Then they smooth the warm (not hot) paste on, rubbing it on against the hair growth. To remove, they then flick the hand back, going with the growth, pulling up hairs with the paste.
They use the same ball of paste throughout the treatment—molding the paste in their hands repeatedly between applications—repeating this process until each area is clean.
Overall, sugaring is a gentler experience than traditional waxing.
Unlike waxing, sugaring only pulls out the hairs and doesn’t disturb the surface of the skin. Hot wax attaches to the hair and the skin, pulling skin cells with it as it is removed. This is not only painful, but can cause redness, swelling, inflammation, and even bruising. Sugaring minimizes the amount of irritation to the area and pain during the process. The sugar paste is also more malleable than hard wax, which allows it to get all the way down to the root. This makes it less likely to break off hairs at the surface.
After your wax session is complete a soothing lotion is applied to the skin to minimize discomfort. Although the treated hairs are completely removed and will not regrow for many weeks, not every hair is growing at the same time. The waxing process may have to be repeated in order to remove hairs that were in a dormant state during the first treatment.
Benefits of Body Waxing
There are several benefits to body waxing over other methods of body hair removal. Waxing is more effective than some other hair removal treatments because:
- Large amounts of hair can be removed at one time
- Waxing lasts for a relatively long time, 4 to 8 weeks
- Regrowth of hair is softer than after shaving or depilatory use
- Pain or discomfort lessens as treatments become routine
Complications of Body Waxing
Probably the biggest drawback to body waxing is the pain involved, although for most individuals the end results are well worth the discomfort. While short-lived, the stinging or burning can be intense, especially if the waxing is administered to sensitive areas of the body. It is very important that an experienced, licensed technician perform the body waxing since proper technique and careful sanitation is essential to maintain health and avoid infection.
Even when waxing is performed with care, it is possible for red bumps, minor bleeding or bruising. or ingrown hairs to result, although these conditions are usually easily resolved. Such complications are most likely to occur during the primary waxing, especially on areas where hair growth is thick.
