Spring Break is here and Summer is coming! Finally after this long cold winter; this is the time of year to try out hair removal services. Over my eight years of working at Design 1 Salon Spa, I’ve realized women have a lot of questions when it comes to Waxing or Sugaring. I’d like to answer those questions so there is less hesitation and fear. This is something everyone should be excited about trying!
How long do I need to grow my hair out before my hair removal appointment?
One of the biggest issues most women have about getting waxed or sugared is the pre-growing stage. There needs to be hair to be able to wax it. In the beginning, this is an unfortunate inconvenience when we are all used to shaving. However, as you get in a routine and are waxing regularly, this gets much easier. Waxing/Sugaring actually damages your hair follicle and makes it harder for the hair to grow back over time. The hair comes in thinner and softer. The prickly stage that we get with shaving is non-existent. The hair will grow back slower and in different stages so it is much softer when it grows back. Usually, if you have never been waxed before or if you’ve been consistently shaving, I suggest growing for a solid 2 weeks before getting waxed. Even if you think you are an extra hairy person, we still need the length. If the hair isn’t long enough, you will be more prone to breakage causing ingrown hairs and no one wants that! Once you’ve been waxed, you can be getting this done about once a month without ever needing to shave in between appointments.
Will my hair grow back thicker?
I’ve had a lot of women ask if more hair will grow back once they start. This is definitely not the case. Waxing makes it harder for your hair to grow back, meaning less maintenance and better results than with shaving. Also, your hair growth and thickness is already set at birth. It’s genetic. The only thing that alters our hair growth throughout our life are hormones. But I can promise that waxing will not make your hair stronger, darker or thicker.
Waxing vs. Sugaring?
There’s always a debate about whether one is better than the other when it comes to wax vs. sugar. Honestly, it comes down to being a personal preference. There are many positive benefits to both services. Waxing is FAST! If you are the type of person that wants to be in and out, wax is for you. It also does a really nice job of getting the more stubborn hairs. If the hair is on the coarse side, wax is more likely to get it on the first try. Wax is also what I prefer for larger areas such as legs and backs. These are the more non sensitive skin areas and they respond very well to wax. Now Sugar is great for people with really sensitive skin. If you redden easily, or have had bad reactions to waxing in the past, sugar is a great possibility for you. Sugar can’t adhere to live skin cells so there is usually a lot less sensitivity afterwards, where as wax can leave you feeling a little tender afterwards. With Sugar you also have less possibility with ingrown hairs because sugar pulls the hair out in the same direction of hair growth, rather than opposite (like wax does) leaving you with less breakage under the surface. Sugar is great for more sensitive areas like underarms or bikini/brazilian. Also, if you are on any type of acne medication, sugar is a safer bet. Waxing is still great for these more sensitive areas. The best option, if you don’t know what would be best for your skin, is to consult with an Esthetician in person and they can help you pick what would be best for you.
How often should I schedule my hair removal services?
I always highly suggest to keep up with your hair removal services about once a month. This will help to continue damaging the hair, over time making a noticeable difference and getting the most optimal results. When keeping up with your services, they also become less painful.
Is it painful?
I think pain is actually one of the biggest concerns I deal with on a daily basis. And I’m not gonna tell you it doesn’t hurt, because it does. But we’ve all experienced worse things. Almost every first time Brazilian client I do says “that wasn’t near as bad as I anticipated”. Most of the time your nerves just get the best of you. I have not had one woman in all the years I’ve been waxing give up half finished. It only hurts while its being done and then its over and you’re hairless! I am not a fan of pain myself and I still get waxed. The pros definitely outway the little bit of pain you have to get through to get there.
Is there anything I need to do after my hair removal service?
After care is very important. There isn’t a lot to it, but it can really help you get the results you want. Exfoliating is the most important. I usually suggest using exfoliating gloves in the shower 2-3 times a week. This helps break down dead skin so that the hair can pop through the surface properly preventing ingrown hairs. And with these, I usually suggest using your body wash you already use. No need to purchase an expensive scrub that has added fragrance and sugars that aren’t great to use in most areas. The gloves last much longer and can be washed in your washing machine. This also helps prep for your next hair removal service. If you have hair stuck under the surface because there was no exfoliation, the wax won’t be able to pick up the hair, leaving unwanted hairs behind. Also, we have a couple options for aftercare creams. These are something you would use everyday when getting out of the shower to help kill bacteria, soothe the skin and help prevent ingrown hairs. Avoiding tanning the week of waxing is also very important. Tanning before a service can make your skin more prone to lifting which can result in scarring or a lot more sensitivity afterwards. And tanning after, you’ll be more likely to burn. But that’s it! You shouldn’t have to do any other kind of maintenance before your next service.
I always say that it’s good to plan ahead. If you know you have an event coming up where you need to be waxed such as a vacation, wedding, or just beach days, consult with your Esthetician so they can help you plan weeks out to make sure you’ll have the hair needed. You can always bump your appointments up a week or out an extra week if need be for an event. I just always suggest to stick around the 4 weeks.
I hope that if you had concerns….you no longer do! We all look forward to seeing you for the upcoming Spring & Summer months!
~Sarah L, Esthetician at Design 1 Grandville
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