Why waxing is bad for you

Will waxing make my hair grow back thicker? The answer is a big, bold NO. Although most people have their own self-made theories or old wives tale about it, waxing takes out the hair from the root, usually reducing regrowth, which means your hair looks thinner. The thickness only comes from shaving because hair appears thicker when its broken from the middle. Does the wax I choose matter?

Also read: 8 natural home remedies to get rid of ingrown hair—now and forever! Can I wax my face if I have acne or any severe skin condition? No way! There is no guarantee that waxing will result in permanent hair removal. Fortunately in some instances, the hair will just find its way out naturally and fall out as its cycle comes to an end. Grab a couple of cotton buds, apply pressure either side of the bump as to extract the follicle and have a sterilised set of tweezers ready to pull out the ingrown hair.

Try not to break the skin around the follicle however, and try to avoid temptation to pick at it continuously. Your skin might be sensitive, red or even a tad swollen immediately after a wax; but none of these effects are long-term.

In fact, waxing is often seen as better for the skin than other hair removal methods. It essentially acts as an exfoliant, getting rid of the top layer of dead skin, and can also reduce the chances of ingrown hairs and irritation post-shaving. Another myth that often gets thrown into the mix is that waxing causes skin to sag.

The notion of pulling away at your skin does make it seem quite plausible that it could, over time, cause the skin to sag. However, a good therapist will know to hold your skin as taught as possible when removing the wax strip so there is a very little amount of actual skin movement.

Did you know that we offer waxing in selected Regis salons? Check our list of beauty salons to see if your local Regis salon can offer this service. Account Basket. Locate a Salon. Sharp pain may only be present while the hair is being removed, but can be hard to deal with, especially in delicate areas.

Granted, your hair is being pulled from the root, but the discomfort should be short-lived and tolerable if you're relaxed and under the care of a professional.

Often[times] we may hold the muscle tight and use a fast motion to pull the wax from the skin," explains Gallo. Whether you've gone to a professional salon or are saving money and went DIY, you can try to keep pain to a minimum by taking ibuprofen, wearing a loose-fitted outfit, and avoiding certain products.

Wear loose clothing to prevent more irritation in the area," says Dr. Or, your skin looks darker, kind of like a sunspot is forming. If that's the case, your skin may be extra sensitive to the sun or reacting to a medication you're taking. It can be caused by the warmth of the wax or the pulling at the hairs. Sometimes just the irritation of the waxing causes discoloration," says Gallo. The best thing you can do in this case is to let the hair grow back and see a dermatologist before you try to wax or shave the area again.

Your doctor may recommend applying a product with ingredients that tackle hyperpigmentation. Products with hydroquinone can help [with] hyperpigmentation. Niacinamide and mandelic acid are also good ingredients to look for in a product to help fade hyperpigmentation," explains Dr. American Academy of Dermatology Association. Hair removal: How to wax. Post waxing folliculitis: A clinicopathological evaluation.

Int J Dermatol. Depilatory wax burns: Experience and investigation. Cleveland Clinic. Pigmentation: Abnormal pigmentation. Updated March 29, Thank you [email] for signing up.

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I Accept Show Purposes. Skin Body. These side effects ultimately depend on your individual skin sensitivity, how sharp the razor is, and how wet your skin is, as well as overall experience. This definitely depends on your pain tolerance. However, because the hair is removed at the root, people tend to report more pain with waxing than shaving. This means you should usually wax once every 3 to 4 weeks. Shaving can be done as often as necessary, but keep in mind that more frequent shaving may cause irritation in sensitive skin.

Waxing is slightly more costly than shaving. It all depends on the area you want to get waxed. Bear in mind that home waxing may not produce the same results as a professional wax. However, unlike waxing, razors should last much longer than just one use. The day of, avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol and wearing lotions or creams. With shaving, grow out your hair to your desired length. Wet the area to soften your skin and hair.

You can gently exfoliate beforehand for a closer shave — just be sure to apply a soothing shaving cream before removing the hair. Although hair removal is the end goal of both methods, waxing and shaving have very different processes. You can return to exfoliating 24 hours after shaving and waxing.

Keep the area moisturized in order to prevent itching and irritation. To minimize, make sure to exfoliate beforehand. It happens.

Make sure to not pick and prod at the hair, and apply a soothing oil to calm the area.