Wax (hair removal)

Waxing is a method of removing body hair with the help of hot or cold wax. The hair is not only removed superficially, but pulled out with the root. Unlike a normal shave, hair grows back more slowly and is also thinner and less stubborn because it has a softer tip.

What is the waxing?

Removing body hair with wax is part of what is known as epilation. During epilation, the hair is not only removed superficially, but also with the hair root.

In addition to normal shaving, other hair removal methods such as waxing are used to remove body hair. Removing body hair with wax is part of what is known as epilation. During epilation, the hair is not only removed superficially, but also with the hair root. However, a distinction must be made between temporary and permanent epilation processes.

With the permanent epilation process, hair no longer grows back after the treatment. However, these methods can only be used in the hair growth phase. As there are different growth phases, multiple treatments are necessary.

The permanent epilation processes include light treatment systems, hair removal lasers, IPL technology (laser processes with different wavelengths of light), electroepilation or thermolysis.

However, waxing, in contrast, is a temporary depilation process. The word temporary indicates that after a certain time the hair will grow back again. However, since some hair roots are also removed, it is no longer as dense and much thinner. Subsequent treatments with wax are significantly easier and less painful than the initial treatment.

In addition to waxing, epilation is also part of the temporary removal.

Shapes, types & types

As mentioned earlier, waxing is a temporary epilation process. Temporary epilation is characterized by the fact that it tears out the hair. However, the word temporary indicates that the hair is only temporarily removed. After a certain time it grows back again. In contrast to a simple shave, however, this growth occurs much more slowly. The hair that grows back is also thinner.

There are two methods for waxing. The hair can be removed with both hot and cold wax. Both methods have in common that the hair binds (sticks) to the waxy substance and is torn out by pulling off the wax strip.

Before the treatment, the skin should be cleaned and freed from sebum. The wax preparations are then applied to the well-dried skin and peeled off in the direction of hair growth. The wax and the hairs stick to the strip.

So that the blood does not shoot into the capillaries so quickly, the treated skin areas must be covered immediately with your fingers or the palm of your hand.

In the cold wax treatment, ready-made strips are used, which are placed on the cleansed skin and pulled off against the direction of hair growth. In contrast to this, with the hot wax method, the wax is melted beforehand in a water bath and applied in liquid form to the appropriate skin areas. A cotton strip is placed on the still liquid wax and waited until the wax has solidified again and sticks to the strip. After pulling off the cotton strip, the torn hairs are also stuck in the wax at this point. Since the hair now grows more slowly, the procedure does not have to be repeated until after about three weeks.

Brazilian waxing is a special method of waxing. This involves removing the hair in the pubic area. It is a young method that was first carried out in the coastal cities of Brazil in the 1990s. Their popularity has grown rapidly in recent years. It is a warm wax method, but it is carried out without strips of fabric or fleece. The hot wax is applied to the area to be depilated and then immediately removed against the direction of hair growth.

functionality

With all methods of waxing, hair growth is slowed down. The hair that grows back becomes thinner and less noticeable. Therefore, the hair can be removed even more easily with subsequent treatments. In addition, it is no longer so painful.

After a few repetitions of the treatment, the time interval can be increased more and more. If the treatment was initially repeated about every two weeks, the period can later be gradually extended to four weeks.

In preparation for a treatment, a warm bath is useful to open the skin pores. The hair follicles become detached and can be removed more easily. Sunbathing or saunas should be avoided for 24 hours after the treatment, as the skin is still irritated. The use of skin creams is also recommended.

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Medical & health benefits

Body hair removal by waxing, like all methods of epilation, has no primarily medical significance. In addition to hygienic and religious aspects, aesthetics played a role in the history of the motives for their use.

The complete or partial hair removal has an important cultural function to fulfill. It symbolizes belonging to certain groups and their values. In addition, it is increasingly becoming an ideal of beauty.

Since body hair is not of great medical importance today, no health problems arise even after its removal. The skin is only a little irritated temporarily after the treatment. The erroneous view that hair removal promotes stronger hair growth in the future can also be refuted. On the contrary, during epilation and especially after waxing, hair growth slows down. At the same time, it also becomes thinner and less noticeable.