Hair Removal - Waxing

The concept of waxing to remove body hair can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt.  It was during this period that the wives of Royalty and the well-to-do looked at hair removal as a way to remain young and forever beautiful. That concept has continued throughout the centuries and in most regions of the World.  

The official definition of waxing is: 'a temporary method of hair removal which removes the hair at the root. New hairs do not grow back in the waxed area for three to eight weeks. Almost any area of the body can be waxed, including eyebrows, face, bikini area, legs, arms, back, abdomen and feet'. Waxing is not exclusively for women though. Today's fashion trends have men waxing their bodies for cosmetic reasons, and many athletes such as bodybuilders and swimmers have been waxing for years.

Most waxes are made from a proportional mixture of beeswax or paraffin, natural oils or fats, and a specially designed resin to help the wax adhere to the skin. A number of brands of wax add Vitamin E or other supplements to help soothe the treated skin. If you think that you might want to try waxing, the first step, whether you are a male or female, is to decide if you want to use the 'hot' or 'cold' wax technique.

The hot wax method involves heating the wax to a comfortable temperature. A thin layer of wax is spread onto the area to be treated in the direction of the hair growth. Once the wax is cooled it is quickly torn off, in the opposite direction of the hair growth, and the hair is removed with it. With the cold wax process, strips of cloth are pre-coated with wax. You apply the strips to the area to be treated, rub the strips in the direction of hair growth, and then pull the strips off quickly in the opposite direction. Although hot waxing techniques are a bit more messy than cold wax ones, many people find that the hot wax gives better results.

Post-Waxing Skin Care

An application of non-perfumed moisturizer to the treated area can be soothing to the irritated skin.  Moisturizers that are fortified with Vitamin B and Aloe Vera are also recommended.  However, be sure to avoid the following activities for at least 24 hours after waxing to avoid possible complications:

- Sunbathing

- Swimming

- Using a Spa or Hot Tub

- Applying perfume, aftershave or deodorant to the treated area

Waxing Safety Tips

Be aware of the folowing cautions that should be exercised if you decide waxing is right for you.

- Always check to be sure that the hot wax is below scalding or burning temperatures before applying to your skin.

- People with diabetes should consult a doctor before waxing.

- Never wax over sunburned skin or peeling skin, lesions or infections, moles, warts, skin abrasions, rashes, or varicose veins.

- Never wax the eyelashes, nose or ear hairs, nipple hair, or hair which is growing directly on the genitals (bikini area is okay).

Bottom line - waxing is a great solution for the temporary removal of unwanted hair.   However, you will need to consider your threshold for pain.  Waxing can be rather uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, during the procedure.  So if you are tough enough to stand a little discomfort and skin irritation, this hair removal method can be an effective and economical way to take care of your unwanted hair problem.