If you have unwanted hair, you need to know the many benefits that come from waxing. From finally tossing your razor to enjoying improved skin health, this is a multi-faceted technique. But you probably have questions, too, including how often treatment needs to be repeated. Don’t worry – at LA Plastic Surgery & Dermatology and LA Skin Spa in Bradenton, FL, we have the answers you need.
How Often Should You Get Waxing?
The answer depends on your body and the area you would like treated. Your hair must be a certain length so the wax has something to hold onto. But if you go too long between appointments, hair grows excessively long and becomes harder to pull from the root. With this in mind, the ideal length is between one-quarter and one-half inches.
The frequency at which you should schedule wax appointments really depends on how quickly your hair grows. Generally speaking, however, the hair on your face should be waxed every two to three weeks. Strands in this area tend to grow more quickly than on other parts of the body. Some of the most commonly waxed parts of the face include the:
- Cheeks
- Eyebrows
- Upper lip
- Chin
Other Body Parts
Hair under the arms should be regularly waxed every two weeks. You want to stick to a consistent schedule here because hair in this area tends to be noticeable as it grows. The bikini area should likewise be waxed every two weeks, while the legs can generally wait three to five weeks between sessions.
You don’t want to over-stretch the time between sessions. Doing so can cause hairs to grow too long, as mentioned a moment ago, and overlap one another. This makes it hard for the wax to grip them, and they may break during treatment before they’re removed. If your hair is too long prior to your appointment, you can simply give it a little trim.
Understanding Hair Growth Cycles
It’s helpful to understand hair growth cycles so you also understand why you need to wait between waxing appointments. Each of the five million or so hairs on your head and body grows in the same cycle, but they’re not all in the same phase at once. This is nature’s way of keeping you from going bald.
The anagen or active phase is when hair grows to the point of being visible on the skin. Strands can be waxed at this time and are in fact easily pulled from the root.
The Remaining Phases
Following anagen is the catagen phase, when hair transitions from a state of active growth to dormancy. The telogen phase comes next and marks a time of rest for hair. Meanwhile, below the surface, new hair begins to form.
Finally, the exogen phase is when your body sheds hair. This allows new strands that started in the telogen phase to come up above the surface of the skin. Because all hairs aren’t in the same phase at the same time, it may take a couple of wax treatments for every strand to be removed. But rest assured repeated treatments offer plenty of other benefits as well.
Benefits of Regular Wax Sessions
It’s true that regular waxing will give the silky smooth skin you long for, but it also encourages hair to grow back progressively finer and sparser. As wax pulls hair from the root, it causes the follicle to grow weaker with time. Weak hair follicles produce fine, sparse hair so that gradually, the growth you do see will be much less than what you normally experience.
Enjoy Gentle Exfoliation
Your skin also gets a gentle exfoliation with each treatment. Although the wax we use is not in and of itself an exfoliant, the process of removing wax also removes the outermost layer of skin. This is comprised of mostly dead cells, so your skin will look and feel smoother and brighter.
Speaking of skincare, you should plan on exfoliating a few days before waxing to prepare skin for the treatment. It’s important, however, not to exfoliate on the same day as your appointment to avoid making skin too sensitive. Several days after your session, you can exfoliate again. Your pores will be closed, and regular exfoliation is a great way to keep ingrown hairs at bay.
Bid Good-Bye to Inflammation
Few people know this, but repeated shaving leads to chronic skin inflammation. The friction caused by the razor eventually leads to a chronic inflammatory response as well as discoloration. The latter is a result of skin growing thicker in response to the inflammation. In turn, melanocytes (cells in the skin that make pigment) also become more active.
Wax treatments can relieve discoloration and inflammation by exposing the skin to less repeated friction. The difference between one monthly appointment and daily shaving is significant, meaning your skin will enjoy greater health.
Experience Fewer Days of Annoying Itch and Prickliness
As it surfaces, hair causes itching and that familiar prickly sensation we all hate. It’s additionally worth noting those prickles are more noticeable after shaving because razors cut hair at an angle. But wax pulls hair from the root, allowing your skin to stay smoother for longer. This means far fewer days of leg stubble that rubs against clothes and causes a general sense of discomfort.
Leave Behind Shaving, Nicks, or Cuts
You can finally take shaving to task because it’s not recommended between wax appointments. This means that even if you get the urge to do it, you shouldn’t. You can simply toss razors in the garbage and, at the same time, also expose your skin to less damage. Shaving can nick or cut skin, especially when your hands are slick with water and covered in foam and soap.
While shaving, you’re also in one of the least safe places in the house – your bathroom. You can easily fall in the shower while trying to reach difficult spots like behind your legs. Wax saves hassle and time while delivering lasting results.
Take Advantage of Fewer Ingrown Hairs
We’ve all had them: red, itchy, painful bumps that follow shaving. With the correct technique, however, wax treatments can deter ingrown hairs and keep skin looking as smooth as possible. Regular exfoliation and moisturizing can further safeguard against painful bumps.
Revel in the Attention of a Professional
Perhaps this should be the foremost reason that you choose to have your skin waxed: you place yourself in the hands of a professional who knows exactly what to do at every step of the process. We’ll choose the wax that’s right for your skin and provide you with post-care instructions. And you don’t have to worry about performing any clean-up at home. We take care of everything.
An Intimate Look at the Treatment
When you arrive for your treatment, your technician will begin by first preparing your skin. They’ll ensure it’s free of any oils or makeup and then use either strip wax, hard wax, or a combination of the two. Strip wax gets applied in the same direction as hair growth. A piece of paper or cloth is then applied over the wax to assist with removal.
Hard wax, on the other hand, does not require strips. It hardens on the skin until it becomes solid. Once in this state, it can be manually pulled off. To remove the wax, your technician will deftly tug opposite the direction of hair growth. To complete your treatment, we may apply soothing oils or a luxurious moisturizer.
Wax Etiquette
Regardless of the body part you want waxed, you should arrive at your appointment freshly showered. This frees you from a potentially embarrassing situation and also serves as a courtesy to your technician. If you’ve been working all day or otherwise need to freshen up, simply ask the front desk to use the restroom. Many times, wipes are already stocked for your convenience.
In addition, don’t worry about body imperfections when you schedule a wax treatment. Our staff is professional and discreet, and we care only about your satisfaction – not how you look with your clothes off. Last but not least, it’s best to follow any instructions we provide during the treatment. These help facilitate the wax process and make for a faster session. If any instruction causes you to raise an eyebrow, don’t hesitate to ask questions.
An Easy Way to Remove Unwanted Hair
Waxing can be repeated at regular intervals to keep your skin soft, smooth, and glistening with health. Simply stay current with your sessions, and you’ll enjoy additional benefits like gentle exfoliation, fewer ingrown hairs, and less inflammation. Schedule your appointment today by calling LA Plastic Surgery & Dermatology and LA Skin Spa in Bradenton, FL.