Waxing is an inconvenient process, but we can’t do without it, can we? Especially when it is summer – the season of flaunting cute summery dresses or a bikini bod. Ironically, waxing is a necessity but also a highly-misunderstood concept.
Some view it as a painful and unnecessary ‘waste’ of time; others feel that laser treatments, wax strips, or simply shaving off are a more convenient alternative. In this blog, we will save you from hours of research and debunk some of the most common misconceptions about waxing.
Let’s get to it right away.
Myths About Waxing that are Absolutely Untrue
#Myth 1: Waxing causes your hair to grow thicker.
First things first, let’s tackle the most common myth related to waxing. Many people believe that waxing causes the hair to grow back thicker. This is absolutely not true. On the contrary, over time, the hair thickness reduces as people engage in waxing on a regular basis.
How does this work?
Basically, with waxing, your hair, as well as the root, comes out. What this means is that the hair needs to regrow back from scratch. As a result, hair appears finer as it grows back. On the other hand, as you shave off the hair, the hair comes out from the thickest point. So when the hair grows back, it appears to be thicker.
This means: waxing = 1, shaving = 0.
#Myth 2: During your periods is the best time to get waxed.
Another common misconception is that waxing hurts more during your periods as the body is already too sensitive. Whether you’re on your period or not, waxing hurts just the same, depending on your hair growth.
If you do decide to get waxing done during your periods, make sure that the tampon is inside and the string is securely tucked in. All in all, waxing will not hurt more if you are on your period, period.
#Myth 3: Waxing rips off your skin.
Waxing does not rip off your skin. However, waxing can cause skin bruising or skin lifting if not done correctly. This is why it is critical to get a professional appointment with your regular wax beautician. Pulling hair the wrong way can cause more damage than good.
So, you should never go the DIY route when it comes to waxing. Your skin will thank you later on!
#Myth 4: You can go for a sunbath immediately post-waxing.
Waxing can cause the skin to become sensitive, so it is important to wait for at least 24 hours before you head to the beach or go sunbathing. If you stay out in the sun for too long, you risk getting rashes, redness, or burns. This will only make matters worse for your skin.
#Myth 5: Waxing while you’re pregnant can affect the baby.
Waxing during pregnancy is completely normal unless your doctor mentions otherwise. In fact, for plenty of to-be moms, hair can grow quicker than usual during pregnancy because of the change in hormones.
In other words, there’s no harm in getting a wax done while you’re pregnant.
But make sure to avoid waxing the stomach area for obvious reasons. Plus, do consult your doctor if you can book a wax session (to be on the safe side).
#Myth 6: Your hair needs to grow out long before you can wax it off.
One of the biggest misconceptions about waxing is that you don’t need to grow your hair for a squeaky-clean wax session.
If your hair is 1/4″ long, you can go for a wax. Otherwise, it might hurt you more. If your hair is longer than 1/4″, make sure to trim it so that the hair comes out easily and less painfully.
Remember that a quarter of an inch of hair is the ‘sweet spot’ or the magical number you need to note prior to booking a wax session.
#Myth 7: Waxing causes a spurt of ingrown hair.
Typically speaking, all kinds of hair removal methods can cause ingrown hairs–and waxing is no different. Ingrown hair is a common problem. That said, waxing does prevent other kinds of irritation.
To prevent this, make sure to exfoliate your skin properly with a gentle body scrub and apply skin oil based on your skin type. As a thumb rule, never ever tweeze the ingrown hairs or pluck them out yourself.
Why? If you do that, ingrown hair is going to be trapped between the skin’s surface and it can easily become infected if you pluck at it non-stop!
Consult a professional to get rid of ingrown hairs. They generally use a needle to get the job done effectively.
#Myth 8: Waxing is an extremely painful and messy procedure.
It can get messy if you are going for the DIY route with waxing. More importantly, it is a lot of hard work. Instead of waxing yourself, it is recommended that you get it done by a professional of your choice who understands your skin and your hair removal needs.
Remember that you can enjoy hair-free days for up to six weeks if it is done correctly.
#Myth 9: Waxing will pull at your skin, making it wrinkly.
Waxing does not have any heavy impact on your wrinkles. The most common reason for accelerated skin aging is excessive exposure to the sun (minus the sunscreen), less hydration, and an unhealthy skincare routine.
#Myth 10: Soft wax hurts less than hard wax.
Hard wax works differently than soft wax in the sense that it adheres to the hair–not the skin. This is why it is most commonly used in sensitive areas such as underarms, Brazilian, full face, etc.
Hard wax works on a gel-like substance that goes around the hair follicles, whereas, in the wax strip, you end up pulling the hair and the skin.
If you are looking for seasoned experts to get a smooth waxing session underway, reach out to us at Glaminator Beauty Bar. We can take care of all your waxing needs and ensure that you leave with glowing, fuzz-free skin.
