Shaving, Waxing, At Home Hair Removal

At home hair removal products like Nair last longer than shaving, but they work with harsh chemicals. Waxing pulls the hair out from the root, which is what gives you the longest stretch of feeling hair free. Here is the honest comparison.

Hair Removal Creams

These at home creams may seem like the easy way out.

Depilatory creams contain chemicals that dissolve the hair just below the surface of the skin. They are effective, but they come with tradeoffs, and they were originally developed with arm and leg hair in mind rather than the face or bikini line.

• Possible allergic reaction
• Lingering chemical smell
• Skin irritation that can itch and burn

In practice, most people are reaching for the tube again within a few days.

Shaving

There are side effects worth knowing about: cuts, abrasions, irritation, and ingrown hairs, also known as razor bumps or pseudofolliculitis. Many of these can be minimized by using a new blade every shave, applying plenty of lubrication, and not pressing hard with the blade.

Plenty of people believe shaving makes hair grow back thicker and darker. It does not. Shaven hair only looks thicker because it has a blunt end rather than the tapered end of a new hair. Studies have consistently shown that shaving does not change the speed or amount of hair growth.

• Cuts and nicks
• Razor burn: irritation caused by shaving sensitive areas or by poor technique
• Ingrown hairs: razor bumps, where hairs grow into the follicle wall or curl back and re-enter the skin

Shaving only removes hair at the surface, so it does not have to grow far to reappear. If you want to stay smooth, that usually means shaving every one to three days.

Waxing

There is a good reason regrowth seems slower when you wax: the hair is pulled from the root. Your skin stays smooth from the moment the follicle is emptied until a new hair shaft reaches the surface, which is generally three to four weeks. That is why waxing appointments are spaced the way they are, and why I will ask you to stay away from the razor in between. Cutting the hair at the surface breaks the rhythm and puts everything out of sync.

• Longer-lasting results, because waxing works from the root
• No blade, so no razor cuts
• Smoother skin between appointments
• Fast and convenient

Waxing is not painless, and I would rather be straight with you about that. It is quick, it gets easier with regular appointments, and there are things I do to take the edge off, but expect to feel it.

Hair often grows back finer and sparser

Repeated waxing can weaken the follicle over time, and weaker follicles tend to produce finer, sparser hair. Genetics still determines most of what your hair does, including coarseness, color and growth rate, so do not expect a dramatic change in a couple of appointments.

Your skin gets gentle exfoliation

Waxing lifts off the outermost layer of skin, so skin feels smoother and brighter afterward. That said, waxing is not a substitute for exfoliation. Exfoliate a couple of days before your appointment to prepare the skin, but not on the day itself, which leaves skin too sensitive. Wait a couple of days after the appointment before exfoliating again, once any redness has settled. Regular exfoliation between appointments is one of the best ways to keep ingrown hairs at bay.

You can see everything I offer in the waxing collection. If you are new to it, read Beginners Brazilian Waxing and How to Prevent Red Bumps After Waxing before you book.