The Benefits Of Waxing vs. Shaving
Many of our clients at the salon often ask us the benefits of waxing vs. shaving. Whether or not you wax or shave is really down to the individual and also convenience.
Waxing requires warm wax and removes the hair follicle from the root by force whereas shaving involves a razor blade to trim the hair at the surface of the skin.
the pros and cons of waxing
Waxing involves applying warm wax over unwanted hair and removing it with a disposable strip of material (strip wax) or applying hot wax, letting it go hard and then peeling away the wax in one entire piece (hot wax) The difference of strip wax vs. hot wax can be found here.
When deciding to wax unwanted hair you will first need to grow your hair to roughly a quarter of an inch. This can take time and many people avoid this method purely to avoid the frustrating grow-out period.
To wax delicate areas like the bikini area, underarms and face, we would recommend a hot wax. It’s the best for removing strong, thick and coarse hair. The ideal wax for areas like the legs, back, chest and arms would be strip wax. It’s excellent for removing softer hairs and more cost-effective for larger areas.
The pros and cons of shaving
Shaving can be done whenever you need to and can take anywhere between a couple of minutes to ten minutes to complete. This method is relatively painless and if you use a sharp razor and shaving cream you can avoid any nicks.
We recommend shaving towards the end of your shower so that the warm water can help to soften the hair, making the shave closer and smoother and less irritating. Avoid using perfumed shaving creams as these can irritate delicate areas. Unscented cleansers are preferable as they offer a smooth easy surface for the razor, preventing drying out the skin.
Waxing vs. Shaving
Waxing does last longer over time (approximately four weeks before regrowth) because the hair has been removed from the follicle. Shaving results in the hair being cut at the surface. Waxing will leave a smoother finish and unwanted hairs become thinner over time and in some cases don’t grow back at all. Many clients have also noticed less irritation after waxing, especially a decrease of ingrown hairs and breakouts.
Shaving can be done any time you feel the need so can be more convenient. We wouldn’t suggest that you shave daily as this can cause irritation and take extra care when it comes to sensitive areas like the bikini line. We would also advise to use a razor that has two blades. Multiple blades can be too harsh on sensitive skin.
What would we recommend?
Exfoliating gently with a dry brush or exfoliating mitt can help to prepare your skin for a wax or shave. Before a wax it can help to trim bikini hair down if it is longer than three centimetres. Hair needs to be a certain length in order for the wax to hold, this won’t work if you have shaved a few days before. Taking a warm shower or bath before your wax appointment can also help to soften the follicles meaning waxing will be easier to carry out. Also some may want to take ibuprofen, 30 minutes before waxing to decrease inflammation and help with the pain.
Shaving on the other hand is painless if done correctly. We would recommend exfoliating before shaving, use a sharp razor and shaving cream followed by a moisturiser. All of these steps should reduce your chances of shaving nicks or razor burn.
Whatever method you choose is completely up to you and your preference. Some think the pain of waxing means shaving is the only option. Others think shaving is too high-maintenance. Both methods have their pros and cons and at the end of the day you have to choose what is right for you.
If you would like to check our availability for a hair removal treatment or book an appointment then, please book now or call 01932 85320.