Hair Removal: Waxing Poetic

There is evidence that waxing as hair removal was practiced in ancient India dating back to 4000 BC. As recently as this past spring, New Jersey’s Board of Cosmetology was considering placing a ban on it. With such a long and colorful history, it’s time we explore waxing in its many forms.

	Food is not the only area where people are going organic.

What is Waxing?

Waxing is a method of semi-permanent hair removal that removes the hair follicles by the root. Almost any area of the body can be waxed. Regardless of the type of wax, most are made of a combination of paraffin or beeswax, natural fats and oil, and a specially designed resin to help the wax stick to the skin. To remove hair, melted wax is first spread thinly over the skin with an applicator. Once the wax hardens it is ripped off (there’s no pretty way to say it) with a quick movement against the direction of the hair growth.

Types of Wax

Hot Wax

Though the practice is generally the same, the types of wax one uses can vary. The most commonly used is hot wax. The wax should be warm, with the consistency of honey, but not so hot you will worry about burning yourself. It’s then applied and allowed to cool. As it hardens hair becomes embedded in the wax. With the aid of a strip of cloth, the wax is then pulled off, taking the unwanted hair with it.

Cold Wax

Cold wax comes already attached to a strip of cloth or paper. You apply the strips to the area to be treated, rub the strips in the direction of hair growth, and then quickly pull off the strips. Although using hot wax can create more of a mess than its cold counterpart, many find that the hot wax gives more uniform results.

Hard Wax

Hard wax is thicker than hot and cold waxes and is peeled off when it cools. It goes on smooth and then hardens and can be removed without a cloth strip.

Sugar Wax

Food is not the only area in which people are going organic. Sugar wax , also referred to as Persian wax or sugaring, is made of a mixture of sugar, lemon juice, and water. It’s applied the same way as other waxes, but some prefer it because it’s all-natural and water soluble, making it easier to rinse off. It is also reported to hurt less because the mixture binds to the hairs and not the skin. Although effective, sugar waxing may provide shorter-lasting results because the hairs sometimes break off at the surface rather than at the root.

What to Know Before, During, and After Waxing

Waxing eliminates unwanted hair for roughly two to four weeks, and with repeated visits the hair should grow back both sparser and finer (though that’s something I have yet to experience). Regardless of the results, it’s still not an enjoyable experience unless you’re into pain. However, there are a few things that you can do to make the process more bearable:

Before Waxing

• Take an aspirin or two an hour before waxing to reduce pain and sensitivity.
• Do not get waxed a week before your period—you’ll be more sensitive.
• Best time to go? A week after your period.
• Make sure the hair in the area you want to wax is at least ¼ inch long.

During Waxing

• Be vocal. If the wax is too hot, let your waxer know. If the waxing is too painful, ask the waxer to apply smaller strips.
• However, faster can be better.

After Waxing

• Aloe or hydrocortisone cream help to diminish bumps, redness, and ingrown hairs.
• Don’t use a hot tub, take a really hot shower, or tan for 24-48 hours after the waxing.
• Do not exfoliate the skin for 2-3 days after the wax. After that, exfoliate regularly to help prevent ingrown hairs.