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Hair removal with wax

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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The wax hair removal procedure has been used for many centuries. Since ancient times, women have been using the wax hair removal method. And today, the wax hair removal process remains popular among both the fairer and stronger sexes. Removing hair in unwanted places with wax is an effective and affordable method, although it is not the most pleasant method. Both in specialized salons and at home, the following types of wax hair removal are used: depilation using cold, warm and hot wax, as well as water-soluble wax, the basis of which is sugar or honey. Let's take a closer look at each type of wax depilation.

Hair removal with hot wax

The base of hot (hard) wax is usually pine resin and beeswax. Orange, lemon or some other vegetable oil is often added to the wax to avoid cracking of the skin or strong sticking of the wax to the body. It is important to note that hair removal with hot wax is best done in specialized salons rather than at home, especially if you have no experience with hair removal with wax, since in this case, precise control of the wax temperature is necessary. If it overheats, you can get a burn.

Heated wax provokes skin steaming and pores expansion, which ensures a less painful process during hair removal. Heating the wax takes about half an hour, but still its temperature regulation should be left to a specialist.

Hair removal with warm wax

The base of warm (soft) wax is also pine resin, to which various softeners are often added, such as honey and beeswax. The composition may also include soothing agents for sensitive skin types. Warm wax is safe and therefore its use is allowed at home. Applying warm wax also allows you to expand the skin pores, so that the process has a less painful reaction. But, one way or another, when removing hairs with warm wax, the pain is more pronounced than with hot wax.

Often, the wax used during warm depilation does not dissolve in water. Therefore, after the procedure, you should also use products to remove wax from the skin. It is important to note that in case of incomplete hair removal, this procedure can be repeated no earlier than 24 hours later.

Hair removal with water-soluble wax

Water-soluble wax resembles a creamy mixture that is made from honey or sugar. The distinctive feature of the hair removal process with water-soluble wax is that this wax is applied not to the skin, but to the hairs that need to be removed. This procedure uses a special stick, which applies wax paste directly to the hairs. The stuck hairs are removed together with the hardened paste.

The advantage of this type of hair removal is its delicacy to the skin and long-term effect ˗ hair begins to grow back only after 6 weeks, and also that it does not require any additional means to warm up the wax. The disadvantage is that this method is used only for arms and legs; hair removal is possible only if the hair is at least 6 mm long; the hair removal process is painful.

Facial Hair Removal with Wax

If you want to remove unwanted facial hair, it is best to contact professionals in this field. Self-depilation of facial hair with wax can also be done, but very carefully. As mentioned above, it is better to use warm wax to carry out the depilation process at home. It is easy to find in specialized stores, where it is presented on the shelves in special thermostats. Today, various extracts are added to wax, such as: chamomile, aloe vera, rose, shea, olive, pine, ylang-ylang, as well as natural oils, which make the process more comfortable.

Before waxing any part of your face, you need to prepare well: cleanse your face, dry it thoroughly and degrease it by wiping it with lotion. Then apply a thin layer of heated wax to the necessary areas, evenly distributing it on the surface, then cover it with a fabric or paper strip, leaving a couple of centimeters for easy removal of the material from the skin. The strip must be pressed tightly to the body, then, taking the free edge, tear it off with a sharp movement of the hand against the direction of hair growth. The procedure is unpleasant and even painful, but the result is still very favorable. The remains of the wax must be removed with a special oil, which not only prevents irritation, but also provides proper skin care. For several days, it is necessary to apply a moisturizer in the morning and evening, and in no case should you use any facial products containing alcohol. You should also refrain from tanning for some time, as well as rubbing the skin with a washcloth.

A warning about facial hair removal with wax is the presence of a wound or inflammation on the areas of skin where you want to remove hair. You should be very careful about depilation if you have moles or warts.

Hair removal above the lip with wax

The process of removing hair above the upper lip with wax is not so painful, since the area above the lip is small and the procedure is very quick. Of course, it is better to leave hair removal above the lip to a specialist, especially if you have no experience using wax for depilation. But still, if you really want to, you can remove hair above the lip with wax yourself at home.

The principle of using this method is similar to removing hair with wax on the face. In this case, it is best to use cold wax, since the skin on the face is very sensitive. A wax strip is applied to thoroughly cleansed skin. It is smoothed well, after which it is torn off the skin surface with a sharp movement. But if you have any lesions or pimples above your upper lip, wax depilation cannot be used.

Leg hair removal with wax

Removing hair on legs using wax is more effective when using hot wax. But in this case, you need to have certain skills and take into account some features in order not to get a serious burn. Therefore, for self-hair removal, the best option would be to use cold or warm wax, since in this case the risk of skin injury is minimal. Before the wax hair removal procedure, you need to disinfect the areas of the skin where you want to remove the hair.

Scheme of hair removal with wax on legs:

  • Apply wax to a long, clean strip of cloth.
  • Apply the strip evenly and carefully to the skin.
  • Careful smoothing along the entire length.
  • After a few minutes, tear off the strip with a sharp movement against the hair growth.

When removing unwanted hair with hot wax, the procedure is similar, the only difference is that the wax must be heated to a certain temperature.

It is important to remember that if you find wounds, scratches, abrasions or eczema on your legs, as well as varicose veins, waxing is strictly prohibited.

Waxing arm hair removal

If you want to remove hair from your hands, you can also use wax depilation. Waxing is good because the hairs are removed along with the root and new hairs appear only after three weeks.

Hair removal on the arms is usually done with hot wax, which is heated to 37-40 degrees. It is not allowed to go higher, otherwise there is a high risk of getting a burn. The heated wax is applied evenly to the arm with a spatula, after which a paper or fabric strip is applied. As soon as the wax hardens, the strip is torn off with a sharp, confident jerk against the hair growth.

Hair removal with wax usually gives a good result: the skin remains smooth for a long time. The next procedure can be carried out only when the hair has grown at least 4 mm.

Armpit Hair Removal with Wax

The skin under the arms is very sensitive and therefore hair removal with wax in this part of the body can cause a very painful reaction. If you still decide to use this method of hair removal, you need to follow some recommendations.

Hair removal under the arms can be done with either hot or warm wax. In case of a low pain threshold, it is better to give preference to hot wax, as the pain will be less noticeable.

You may have noticed when buying a waxing kit that the spatula included in the kit has a complex shape. Its concave side is designed for waxing legs, the angled part is for removing hair above the upper lip, and the rounded part is designed specifically for underarm waxing.

Now let's look at the rules and tips for the correct method of removing armpit hair with wax:

  • It is necessary to disinfect the skin.
  • It is recommended to apply talc to dry skin.
  • It is necessary to prepare small strips of fabric.
  • Depilation is carried out in two stages (due to the fact that the hair under the armpits does not grow in one direction): in one part of the armpits, wax is distributed from the middle of the armpit towards the elbow, in the other part ˗ the lower ˗ in the opposite direction.
  • The rounded part of the spatula is used.
  • The arm needs to be raised up in order to stretch the skin well.
  • The wax strip is torn off against the direction of hair growth.

To quickly soothe the skin after depilation, it is recommended to immediately press it with your hands, then apply talc.

Wax for professional hair removal

The main advantage of wax hair removal is the long-term absence of hair on the areas of the body where depilation was performed. During hair removal with wax, the hairs are pulled out along with the bulb, which ensures their slow growth. With constant use of professional wax hair removal, hair growth can almost or even completely stop.

In professional terms, hot wax is often used during hair removal, as it provides a longer lasting effect, and the process is less painful, since the skin is well steamed and the pores are enlarged.

Professional hair removal with wax often uses waxes from manufacturers such as Rica, Depileve and Tessiltaglio. These waxes contain natural beeswax, paraffin, natural resins, plant extracts and natural oils. Waxes that are included in the "hot" group often have the form of a disk, granule or bar. The melting temperature of hot wax is 45-47 degrees. This group of waxes is mainly used for delicate hair removal.

Cartridge waxes for epilation are very popular. They are often used both in professional salons and at home. Cartridge waxes are considered warm types of wax. Their composition may vary, depending on the consistency, density and adhesive properties. Before using warm wax in cartridges, not only the skin type is taken into account, but also the hair. In order to achieve the required wax temperature, which is best suited for the hair removal process, a special vertical heater is used. Usually, a special roller is also included with the wax cartridge, which allows you to evenly apply the wax to the body surface.

In professional hair removal, waxes in jars are often used, which are often referred to as warm types of wax. The components of warm wax are various resins of natural origin, white beeswax and natural additives. Film wax is one of the varieties of jar wax ˗ most often used in the process of hair removal in the bikini area. This wax, which melts at a temperature of 38-39 degrees, is used without fabric or paper strips.

Reviews of hair removal with wax

Natalia:

"I couldn't decide to wax my armpits for a long time. But I finally decided to do it myself at home. The process turned out to be, as I expected, very painful and unpleasant, but it was worth it! For three weeks, I completely forgot about the need to shave hair. One can lasted me the whole summer, so I highly recommend it!"

Daria:

"I had my legs waxed. I was very pleased with the result, there was pain, but it was bearable. Hair doesn't grow back for a long time. The first time there was a little irritation, but after a couple of days it went away. The following times the pain was less, and the irritation almost never appeared! I am very happy with waxing!"

Katerina:

"I had my legs waxed at a salon. The price was more or less reasonable, the process is certainly unpleasant, but you can live with it. After the procedure, I had a slight allergic reaction, either to the wax or to the procedure itself, I still don't understand. But it soon went away. The skin remained smooth for about three weeks, which is not bad. To repeat the procedure, you have to wait until the hair grows at least half a centimeter. But the result is still worth it."

Svetlana:

"I've always been embarrassed by my dark hairs above my upper lip, so I recently decided to remove them with wax. You know, I thought it would be more painful (but maybe I just have a high pain threshold). Now I'm very happy, my skin is smooth and there are no extra hairs that tormented me for so long! But still, it's individual for everyone, because wax hair removal therapy can cause irritation or an allergic reaction for some. But in my case, everything went very smoothly!"

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