You wax your eyebrows religiously. And you know never skip a lip wax when having your brows shaped (a very savvy one, you are). But aside from these two (super-) popular services, did you realize there are way more face wax offerings than just brows and your unwanted ’stache hairs? Belly up to the wax bar, every BODY, because wax services abound for facial hair removal. And the benefits? JSYK, they’re so much better than you realize.
Behold: face wax FAQs.
Is it normal to get a face wax (you know, besides your brows)?
Some people say they don’t have facial hair. Some people are also lying. So yes, if you have unwanted facial fuzz you’d like removed, book a face wax. Totally normal (and worth it).
What are the types of facial hair services?
- Eyebrows: (Obvi). Here’s what to do before an eyebrow wax.
- Lip: For those with more lip fuzz than you’d like, remove unwanted hair in seconds. We suggest tacking on the treatment when you get your brows done.
- Ear: Waxing offers a more exact hair removal option than trimmers (and obviously is an easier alternative to a razor!). Waxing is so quick, which is a bonus for the sensitive ear area.
- Chin: Hair here tends to be coarser—and because waxing pulls it from the root, the regrowth is slower, finer and softer.
- Nose: Waxing is quicker and less painful than tweezing nose hairs (um, ouch to the tweezers). And, sure, you can trim nose hairs, but as a good reminder, they do serve a purpose—and your Waxx Specialist will determine the appropriate amount to get rid of.
- Cheeks: Waxing offers a precise remedy for finer hair found on cheeks.
- Sideburns: Those with darker hairlines are great candidates for having sideburns waxed.
Are there facial wax benefits?
(I.e., is it a good idea to wax your face? Yes, and here’s why:
- It acts an absolute excellent exfoliator. (Hey, there, baby-smooth skin.)
- It takes off all the little hairs everyone sees (even if you don’t realize they do)
- Helps your makeup go on a better (like an instant primer!)
- It’s less irritating than epilations and creams.
- Waxing correctly thins out the hair follicle.
- Slower regrowth—and finer, softer, less regrowth over time. This makes hair less noticeable and waxing less painful going forward.
- You’re smooth and are so for a longer length of time.
Face waxing FTW!
What to expect during a face wax?
Either hard or soft wax is applied to skin, depending on the wax salon and its technique. The wax is then swiftly removed in the opposite direction of hair growth. The best part? The roots of the hair go along with it.
How long does face waxing last?
Post-wax, you won’t begin noticing regrowth for two to three weeks. (But—read again the previously mentioned talk about regrowth with regular wax usage. Bonus, no?)
Does face waxing hurt?
Some describe facial hair removal as painful; others refer to it as a mild discomfort. It really comes down to a variety of factors. Pain tolerance. Skin sensitivity. What facial area you’re waxing and how much hair you’re taking off…
Note mild stinging may occur post-wax. But we can’t stress this enough: The more you wax, typically the less it hurts each time.
Any face waxing side effects I should expect?
Again, it depends. And it mostly has to do with your skin sensitivity. You may experience redness or the waxed area might feel more delicate to the touch. The best trick: Apply a cold compress to your face.
Why should I go to a wax salon and not face wax at home?
No DIY hair removal and here’s why: Ever gone tweezer happy in front of a magnifying mirror? Unless you’re a professional, the eyebrows you shaped yourself will probably not be the best for your face. Leave it to the Waxx Specialists, for sure.
And, a reputable wax salon (ahem, Waxxpot) employs people trained to provide the best hair removal techniques, so your risk of side effects—ingrown hairs, irritation—decreases significantly.
Waxing versus tweezing, threading, bleaching, shaving
WAXING VERSUS TWEEZING?
Waxing versus tweezing: Waxing is quicker—the smooth results last longer than if you tweeze. And when you tweeze, you’re more susceptible to breaking small hairs—definitely not ideal.
WAXING VERSUS THREADING?
Waxing versus threading: Nothing against threading but waxing tends to be quicker. And, we find it to be less uncomfortable than threading.
WAXING VERSUS BLEACHING?
Bleaching is messier, and it can irritate your skin.
WAXING VERSUS SHAVING?
Waxing versus shaving…Case in point: When you shave your legs, how long before you feel stubble? Fairly soon, right? That’s the same as if you shaved your face. Enough said.
Pre-Wax Prep
- Eliminate any retinol creams, peels or acid-type products or medications from your skincare routine a few days prior to avoid irritation.
- Moisturize the night before—hello, soft skin. (Important, as softer skin keeps hairs intact with less chance of breaking.)
- Exfoliate 24 to 48 hours before (not the day of).
- Wash away any moisturizers and makeup on wax day.
- Avoid the sun (or tanning salon) before your appointment. You won’t be able to wax sunburned skin.
Waxing Aftercare Instructions
- Avoid the sun or anything that draws heat or drives you to sweat, i.e., saunas, steam rooms, the gym. Waxing opens pores—and you don’t want pores to clog because it can lead to irritation.
Plus, when you wax, the surface layer of your skin goes along with the unwanted hair, causing your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight. - Hands off. Touching the newly waxed area also equals clogged pores.
- Try to avoid makeup for 24 hours post-wax. Same goes for harsher-type skin products like retinoids, peels or acid products.
- Book your next wax appointment—and make sure to gently exfoliate in the meantime! It lessens the chance of ingrown hairs and readies the hair to be removed from its root.
xx,
Waxxpot
