If you are new to getting waxed, you are probably looking forward to smooth, hairless skin. Most likely, you already know that waxing can be done less frequently than shaving, but exactly how often should you wax? At Rejuvu Day Spa and Beauty Haven in West Point, UT, we are happy to offer you some helpful information about the waxing process. Read on, and we will explain how often you should wax, and why.
How Does Waxing Remove Hair?
The Application Process
When you come in for a waxing appointment, your esthetician will first prep your skin to ensure that it is clean and ready for the treatment. She will use either strip wax or hard wax.
Strip wax is applied in the direction of hair growth. A paper or cloth strip is applied over the wax to facilitate its removal. Hard wax does not require strips because it hardens on the skin to the point of being solid. Once hard, it can be pulled off with the fingers.
To remove the wax, your esthetician will gently tug opposite the direction of hair growth. The wax is only applied to the same area of skin once, and any remaining hairs can be quickly tweezed. As a final step, your skin will be gently massaged and pampered with soothing oils.
The Physiology
This treatment pulls each hair out by the root, which removes it all the way down to the follicle. As a result, the hair does not grow back for several weeks. For this reason, you will not have to wax as often as you have to shave or use depilatory creams.
Shaving cuts off the top of the hair at the surface of the skin. The hair that is beneath the surface will emerge after just a few days. Depilatory creams work in much the same way except that they use chemicals to dissolve the visible hair, rather than cutting it.
The Ultimate Results
When you wax frequently enough, the hair follicles become weak. After several sessions, you will find that they are easier to pull out because the follicle cannot hang onto the root as strongly. Eventually, some of the follicles will become altered to the point of not being able to produce hairs.
For these reasons, scheduling appointments consistently can give you thinner, lighter, more manageable hair. As an added benefit, your skin gradually becomes less sensitive to the process. This bring us back to the question: how often should you wax?
How Often Should You Wax?
The right length of time to wait between waxing appointments depends on your body and the area you would like to treat. Your hair must be a certain length before the treatment is done because the wax needs something to grab onto. ¼ inch to ½ inch is a good length.
The frequency with which you should schedule your appointments depends on how fast the hair grows. This will vary person to person because everyone’s hair grows at a different rate. Here are some general guidelines:
The Face
The hair on your face should be waxed every two to three weeks. It tends to grow back faster than hair on other parts of your body. Commonly waxed areas of the face include the chin, upper lip, eyebrows, and cheeks. However, you can make an appointment for any area where you have unwanted hair.
The Underarms
Underarms should be waxed every two weeks, because when hair grows back in this area, it tends to be noticeable.
The Bikini Area
This area should be waxed every two weeks.
The Legs
Legs can usually go 3-5 weeks between sessions.
Longer Is Not Better
While you need to achieve a certain hair length to wax, hair that is too long will make the process more difficult. If the hairs are long enough to overlap one another, some will be covered to the point that the wax cannot grip them.
Instead of waiting as long as possible between sessions, follow the guidelines above and wax when the hair is between ¼ inch and ½ inch long. If the length of your hair exceeds ½ inch, your esthetician may trim it. Alternatively, you can trim it yourself before your appointment.
Everything You Need to Know About Hair Growth Cycles
The appropriate time to leave between appointments is determined, in part, by hair growth cycles. To determine how often you should wax, it is important to understand these cycles.
What Are the Different Stages of Hair Growth?
Each of the 5 million hairs you have grows according the following stages:
The Anagen Phase
In this phase, the hair has grown out to the point of being visible above the skin. This is the active phase during which it can be waxed.
The Catagen Phase
In the catagen phase, the hair transitions from an active state to a dormant one.
The Telogen Phase
During this phase, the hair is dormant. It rests below the surface. Beneath it, a new hair begins to form.
The Exogen Phase
At this time, your body sheds the hair. Beneath it, the new one which started in the telogen phase can come up above the surface of the skin.
How Often Should You Wax?
You will gain the most benefits out of waxing when you schedule your appointments 2 to 5 weeks apart. For the legs, you will need to wax every 3 to 5 weeks. For the face, bikini line, and underarms, you will need to wax every 2 to 3 weeks.
The time in between appointments allows the hair to regrow to a waxable length and accommodates the emergence of hairs that weren’t previously in the active growth phase.
This service is a great way to treat yourself to smooth, soft skin. Imagine the luxury of being able to put on a sleeveless shirt or a bathing suit without thinking about your unwanted hairs. After you have been waxed, you can enjoy weeks of hairlessness.
Contact Rejuvu Day Spa and Beauty Haven in West Point, UT to learn more about our services. We are happy to treat you to the smooth skin you desire.
