Shave or Wax?
I swear shaving is like playing Whack-A-Mole at Chuck E. Cheese. Those pesky hairs just keep popping up out of nowhere! As much as some of us would love a go-all-natural fad to break out in our society so we wouldn’t have to spend so much time and money on removing hair, it’s probably not going to happen. Smooth skin is expected and if we’re honest, it is more enjoyable even if we set a table for one every night.
How can you make the never-ending process of hair removal easier on yourself? Yep, waxing. The thought of getting a decent amount of hair ripped out at the root just doesn’t seem pleasant. And honestly, it isn’t without a little pain; but neither is marriage and yet the majority of people do that…just compare it to something a little more major, and all of a sudden it won’t seem so traumatic anymore – wink, wink. With that said, waxing has come a long way, and if the last time you tried it was in the last 10 years, you will definitely want to give it another go.
Tip: if you have lower pain tolerance, avoid getting waxed around your menstrual cycle. Skin is more sensitive a few days before and during your cycle.
Waxing Benefits
Your hair won’t resurface for 3-4 weeks! We could drop the mic right here…but we’ll give you more.
When your hair grows back, the tip of the hair is naturally tapered so regrowth is softer, looks less noticeable, and because follicles are often on different growth cycles, the hairs don’t grow at the same rate post-wax. Only the hair that was in the resting phase initially begins growing. This is a huge difference from the appearance and feel of your skin after you shave!
Your hair begins to grow back progressively finer and sparser with every treatment. You are actually becoming less hairy!
After the initial irritation subsides, no horrible razor burn to deal with on a daily!
Waxing Prep
You have permission to slack on your hair removal routine for a few days and let your hair grow. It should be ¼ of an inch long. A little longer isn’t bad and can pick up more hair. If you can stand to let the hair grow to ½ an inch, do it.
Exfoliate one to two days before. In fact, exfoliating on a regular basis along with proper skin hydration will help optimize your results.
Avoid alcohol and too much caffeine prior to your appointment. They constrict pores and make the experience more uncomfortable than it needs to be. If you’re worried about the pain, pop an ibuprofen or aspirin an hour before. The anti-inflammatory properties can also help calm the skin.
Waxing at Escape
At Escape we use Nufree Nudesse. Developed over 25 years ago, its original purpose was to help plastic surgeons remove hair from a patient before surgery. Here are just a few reasons why we choose Nufree:
- Nufree Nudesse is NOT A WAX and never sticks to the skin.
- Nufree Nudesse is self-preserving antibacterial/antimicrobial so its safe, clean and germ free.
- Nufree Nudesse is completely BOTANICAL and safe for the entire body.
- Nufree Nudesse doesn’t dry and can be erased any time!
- Nufree Nudesse is scientifically tested and uses no animal products.
Post Waxing
Of course waxing causes some redness and irritation and to help fight all this unpleasantness, we carry finipil as our after-care product of choice.
finipil is a scientifically approved, patented, FDA registered OTC antiseptic made by Equibal Labs which is applied on clients after and in between Nufree Nudesse hair removal services. This antiseptic cream destroys 99.999% of bacteria and cools and soothes the skin while protecting the empty hair follicle from infection. It does NOT clog pores like so many other greasy antiseptics, it actually cleans while moisturizing them.
finipil facts:
- Kills 99.999% of germs
- Reduces redness
- Replaces cataphoresis
- Dermatologist research, test and approved
- Approved for daily use
- Cool by dropping the temperature of the empty follicle, freezing away swelling due to water retention, hot showers or aerobic workouts.
- Prevents infection of the empty hair follicle
- Protects against ingrown hairs and rids the area of old ingrowns caused by waxing, shaving, and hard water.
- Increases time between hair removal treatments when used in conjuction with Nufree Nudesse.
If that isn’t enough to consider finipi, here are just a few of its other uses:
- Treat acne and blemishes
- Soothe and cool skin irritations, rashes and itching
- Use as an after shave cream or after shave lotion to prevent shaving bumps
- Use as a sunburn cream
- Apply as a moisturizing foot cream
- Apply as an excellent base under make-up
- To treat ingrown hairs
- To soften chapped hands
- Use after manicure or pedicure
- Apply after threading and microblading
- Use as leg lotion
If you decide to go a different route, you’ll need to follow certain guidelines. Irritation can last from a few hours up to 48 hours depending on your skin sensitivity and the coarseness of your hair. After a facial wax, don’t apply makeup for several hours. For body waxing, avoid sun exposure, sweaty workouts, very hot baths, fragranced lotions, and make sure to wear loose-fitting clothing. And for those of you who brave through a beautiful Brazilian wax, tell your honey they’ll have to wait 48 hours to enjoy your…well, you know.
Tip: Witch Hazel has calming properties for freshly waxed skin. However, just like with anything else, if you’ve never used it before, test it on a small area first.
If you are a DIY-er in the world of essential oils and such, here’s a recipe I use to soothe and help my skin recover quickly from waxing:
- 1 oz. Witch Hazel
- ½ tsp Sunflower Oil
- ½ tsp Fractionated Coconut Oil
- 3-5 drops Hemp Oil or Vitamin E Oil
- Up to 5 drops Lavender Essential Oil
- Up to 5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
This recipe renders a small batch so it’s great if you’re trying it out.
Bottom Line
Wax over shave. Can you really name ONE benefit that shaving has over waxing? If you’re thinking cost; think again. How much money do you spend on razor blades and shaving cream? And how much TIME do you spend shaving? If you’re an everyday shaver…way too much.
Try waxing. What do you have to lose? And if you’re scared of the pain, our wonderful aestheticians at Escape can help calm your fears.
So, book your appointment and step into a gloriously smoother world!
Resources