Waxing is a method of removing body hair using hot or cold wax. In this process, the hair is not only removed superficially, but is pulled out with the root. Unlike a normal shave, the hair grows back more slowly and is also thinner and less stubborn because it has a gentler tip.
What is waxing?
Removing body hair using wax belongs to the so-called epilation. During epilation, the hair is removed not only superficially, but with hair root. To remove body hair, in addition to normal shaving, other hair removal methods such as waxing are used. Removal of body hair by waxing belongs to the so-called epilation. During epilation, the hair is removed not only superficially, but with hair root. However, a distinction must be made between temporary and permanent epilation procedures. In permanent epilation procedures, no hair grows back after the treatment. However, these procedures can only be used in the growth phase of the hair. Since there are different growth phases, repeated treatment is necessary. Permanent epilation procedures include light treatment systems, depilation lasers, IPL technology (laser procedure with different wavelengths of light), electroepilation or thermolysis. However, waxing, in contrast, is a temporary depilation procedure. The word temporary implies that after a certain period of time the hair will grow back after all. However, since some hair roots are removed along with it, it is no longer as dense and much thinner. Subsequent treatments with waxing are thus significantly easier and less painful than the initial treatment. In addition to waxing, epilation is also part of temporary removal.
Forms, types and kinds
Waxing, as mentioned above, is a procedure of temporary epilation. Temporary epilation is characterized by the fact that it involves pulling out the hair. However, the word temporary indicates that the hair is removed only temporarily. After a certain time it grows back again. However, in contrast to simple shaving, this growth occurs much more slowly. The regrowing hairs are 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 hairs bind (stick) to the waxy substance and are thus pulled out by pulling off the wax strip. Before the treatment, the skin should be cleansed and freed from skin oil. Then the wax preparations are applied to the well-dried skin and pulled off in the direction of hair growth. In the process, the wax, along with the hairs, sticks to the strip. In order to prevent the blood from rushing into the capillaries, the treated skin areas must be covered immediately with the fingers or the palm of the hand. In cold wax treatment, ready-prepared strips are used, which are placed on the cleansed skin and pulled off against the direction of hair growth. In contrast, in the hot wax method, the wax is melted beforehand in a water bath and applied in liquid form to the appropriate areas of the skin. A cotton strip is placed on the still liquid wax and waited until the wax has re-solidified and bonded 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 need to be repeated for about three weeks. A special waxing procedure is Brazilian waxing. This involves the removal of hair in the pubic area. It is a young method, which was first performed in the nineties in the coastal cities of Brazil. Its popularity has grown rapidly in recent years. It is a hot waxing method, but it is performed without fabric or fleece strips. The hot wax is applied to the area to be depilated and then immediately pulled off against the direction of hair growth.
How it works
With all methods of waxing, there is a subsequent slowing of hair growth. The hair that grows back becomes thinner and more inconspicuous. Therefore, in follow-up treatments, the hair can be removed even more easily. In addition, it is then not so painful. After a few repetitions of the treatment, the time interval can be increased more and more.If initially the treatment was repeated about every two weeks, later the period can be extended step by step to four weeks. In preparation for treatment, a warm bath is useful to open the skin pores. This loosens the hair follicles and makes them easier to remove. After the treatment, sunbathing or saunas should be avoided for 24 hours, as the skin is still irritated. In addition, the use of skin creams is recommended.
Medical and health benefits
Body hair removal by waxing, like all procedures of epilation, has no primarily medical significance. For the motives of its application in history, in addition to hygienic and religious aspects, especially aesthetics played a role. Complete or partial body hair removal has an important cultural function to fulfill. It symbolizes the affiliation to certain groups and their values. In addition, it increasingly represents an ideal of beauty. Since body hair is not of great medical importance today, no health problems arise after its removal. The skin is only temporarily a little irritated after the treatment. Also, the erroneous belief that hair removal promotes stronger hair growth in the future can be debunked. During epilation and especially after waxing, on the contrary, hair growth slows down. At the same time, it also becomes thinner and more inconspicuous.
