Men and women may discard waxing as a hair removal method because they
aren’t comfortable with someone else being so up and close with their
bodies. However, they would use this method if they could do so in the
comfort of their own home. Fortunately, waxing at home continues to
become easier, and one way in which it has done so is in the different
products offered today for this purpose. Body parts differ greatly and may
require different body wax. Not only do the body parts differ, but the wax
products do as well. Certain areas remain very sensitive and others can be
hard to reach. There is a wax for every body part. It’s simply a matter of
knowing which to use where.
General Rules When Waxing
While different body parts require different types of wax, certain rules apply
regardless of what wax is being used and where. Always allow the hair to
grow to a minimum of a one-quarter inch before attempting to wax the area.
Wax cannot adhere to hairs shorter than this length. Instead, it adheres to
the skin and makes the process uncomfortable. Additionally, women should
avoid waxing during their period, and both men and women need to avoid
alcohol before waxing. Both increase skin sensitivity and make the process
more painful. Nobody wants this. Finally, know which type of wax to use on
which body part for the best results.
The Underarms
The underarms remain one of the hardest areas of the body to wax, so
women should use hard wax beads. They help address the thick hair found
in this area while adhering to the curves of the armpit. When melted, this
wax applies much as soft wax does, but the thicker consistency allows it to
adhere to the hair as opposed to the skin. In addition, hard wax won’t run
like soft wax does, so this need not be a concern for users. Finally, the wax
beads work better than strips, as they are easier to apply at awkward
angles. Once the wax solidifies pull it straight from the skin. When applying
the wax, pay attention to the direction of hair growth for the best results.
This may mean the person needs to apply the wax multiple times to account
for different growth patterns.
The Bikini Line
When it comes to sensitive areas of the body, most women list the bikini line
as among the top two or three. This area lacks surface area, which leads
many women to use hard wax as opposed to the other options. Hard wax
sticks to the hairs while leaving the skin along, and this means the woman
will experience less irritation. Women find they need not use strips with the
hard wax because the user simply peels the wax once it solidifies. If hard
wax isn’t available for any reason, a person may use pre-made wax strips in
the area. This option often leads to more irritation, however, and women
need to consider this when making a choice. Use small wax strips on the
bikini line to ensure more hair isn’t being removed than desired.
Arms and Legs
Soft wax works best on sizeable areas of the body, such as the arms and
legs. While this wax irritates the skin more than hard wax beads, it’s more
cost-effective and easier to use on body parts that cover a large surface
area. For those who don’t like soft wax because of its messiness, pre-made
wax strips serve as an excellent alternative. Read the directions to ensure
the wax works as intended and provides the desired results. If any stray
hairs remain, use a cellulose or muslin strip to remove these hairs.
Back
As with the arms and legs, the back covers a large surface area and benefits
from the use of soft wax. This remains the least sensitive area of the body,
so men and women find they can use soft wax or wax strips with no
difficulty. If nobody is available to assist with the waxing process, the strips
work best because they can reach areas that you might miss with soft wax.
Face
Areas of the face are very sensitive, which is why most people recommend
making use of pre-made wax strips to remove hair from the eyebrows, chin,
upper lip, and more. The fine hairs respond well to the strips, leaving behind
a smooth face. Look for smaller strips designed for use on the face or take
larger strips and cut them down to size. The goal is to create strips that only
adhere to the hair to be removed taking no excess hair.
Hands and Feet
Men and women might find they have excess hair on the hands and feet and
want to remove the hairs for smooth skin. Fortunately, these areas of the
body are tougher and more resilient, so people can choose the wax method
they feel most comfortable with. However, most people find that pre-made
strips work the best. In fact, strips made for use on the face work great on
the hands and feet as well.
Stomach
Some people find they have unwanted hair on their abdomen and wish to
remove it. The skin on the stomach resembles the skin on the face in many
ways, meaning it is sensitive and fine. For this reason, experts recommend
using the pre-made strips on the stomach. Another option to consider would
be sugar waxing.
Once an area has been waxed, remove any stragglers using clean tweezers.
Never wax an area a second time to remove any hairs left behind. Doing so
can cause skin irritation or actually burn the skin. In addition, be prepared to
address any ingrown hairs, red bumps, or bruises that appear after waxing.
A person may reduce the risk of these issues by exfoliating the skin before
waxing. Finally, always finish up by applying an aloe-based gel or lotion or
an after-wax lotion to the area treated. This helps to keep the skin healthy
and smooth.
