The drawbacks and benefits of waxing

There are so many ways of removing body hair that it can be hard to know which to choose. One of those ways is waxing, a method that’s sometimes praised and sometimes talked about with a wince. So, what are the benefits of waxing, and what are the side effects of waxing? Here’s a run-down.

Benefits of waxing

Benefits of waxing

 
  • Shaving always carries a risk of cuts. You don’t have to worry about that with waxing. 
  • Although it requires a little preparation, waxing takes out entire strips of hair at a time. 
  • After waxing, you’ll probably be hairless for a couple of weeks. Shaving just cuts the hair back to the skin, so the hair becomes visible as soon as it starts to grow again. Waxing takes the hair out from the root, so you won’t have to see the new hair until it’s reached the surface.  
  • As with epilation or IPL, repeated waxing will damage the hair follicle, so the hair that grows back will gradually become finer and more sparse. 

Disadvantages and side effects of waxing

 
  • The actual process can be a little painful, particularly if you’re waxing sensitive skin. Skin tends to be particularly sensitive just before and during your period, so you might want to avoid waxing at those times. 
  • Waxing can only be done when there’s enough hair for the wax to adhere to, so you’re going to have to push through stubble occasionally if waxing is your hair removal method of choice. If you’d prefer a method that can be used even on very short hairs, consider IPL.

Disadvantages and side effects of waxing

 
  • Waxing can only be done when there’s enough hair for the wax to adhere to, so you’re going to have to push through stubble occasionally if waxing is your hair removal method of choice. If you’d prefer a method that can be used even on very short hairs, consider IPL. 
  • Waxing can sometimes cause redness for a day or so. It’s not a huge issue, but it can be inconvenient after waxing facial hair. 
  • While we’re talking about face waxing side effects, you may notice small bumps or pimples after waxing facial hair. These usually only last a few hours. 
  • Like shaving, you can sometimes get ingrown hairs after waxing. Exfoliating a couple of days before you wax can reduce the risk. Doing it a couple of days earlier is better than doing it right before the waxing because exfoliation makes your skin more sensitive, which may make the waxing process uncomfortable. 

Lumea Prestige

IPL hair removal device

BRI956/60

Lumea Prestige IPL hair removal device

BRI956/60

Enjoy 6 months of hair-free smooth skin*

Philips Lumea Prestige with SenseIQ technology is our most effective IPL. Designed for convenient treatment at home, Lumea's intelligent attachments perfectly fit every curve of your body and adapt programs tailored for each body area. See all benefits

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Enjoy 6 months of hair-free smooth skin*

Philips Lumea Prestige with SenseIQ technology is our most effective IPL. Designed for convenient treatment at home, Lumea's intelligent attachments perfectly fit every curve of your body and adapt programs tailored for each body area. See all benefits

Epilator vs waxing

 

Epilator or waxing? They’re both techniques that pull the hair out from the root, so it can be hard to decide which one to go for. Here’s a comparison.

Epilator vs waxing

 

  • Both epilation and waxing can remove hair for a few weeks, and cause it to grow back finer. 
  • Both epilation and waxing can cause some discomfort, and the process of removing each hair takes longer if you’re epilating. However, you can epilate in the bath if you have a wet and dry epilator, which can ease the sensation. 
  • Epilation tends to be a slightly longer process if you’re removing a lot of hair, although the lack of preparation time means it’s much quicker when you’re just touching up a spot. 
  • Epilation is less likely to cause irritation or ingrown hairs. 
  • While waxing facial hair is certainly possible, many epilators are designed with use on the face in mind, so they can be used more easily on the face’s contours and avoid the face waxing side effects. 
  • If you’re in the habit of waxing, you’ll need to keep buying new supplies. If you have an epilator, all you need to do is charge it up occasionally. 

    Whether you’re using IPL, an epilator or waxing, methods that go to the root of the hair tend to last much longer than shaving. Enjoy your smooth skin.

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