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Waxing

What it is

Waxing is the longest-lasting method of temporary hair removal. Hot or cold wax is smoothed - usually with a spatula - over the skin, then ripped off quickly with a strip of cloth, taking the hairs with it.

A hot wax involves the spreading of molten wax over the skin, which cools, hardens and traps the hair. A cloth or paper strip is then pressed on top, the skin is pulled taut and the wax is ripped off against the direction of the hair growth.

Cold waxes involve pre-coated wax strips that do the same job, albeit marginally less effectively (unlike hot waxing, it tends to leave some hair behind). Both methods can be done in a beauty salon or at home, depending on your nerve/skill.

What it does

Waxing is a relatively cheap, quick and effective hair removal method for all over the body and face, popular areas being legs, bikini line, underarms and eyebrows for women; backs, chests and pubic area for men. The rate of regrowth depends on the individual and beautician, but hair tends to start reappearing after a week or a little longer. With repeated waxing in an area, hairs get progressively weaker and in some cases stop growing altogether.

How you feel

Waxing is effective, but the price you pay is in pain - from mild discomfort to eye-watering agony! A trained professional will tear the cloth off quickly to minimise the discomfort. Even so, be prepared to wince.

Opinion is divided on whether you get used to the experience the more you do it. What is certain is that the more you relax, and the more professional the beauty therapist, the less likely it is to hurt.

Waxed areas will generally have a red rash for a few hours afterwards. Get waxes for special occasions a couple of days in advance to allow the irritation and sensitivity to disappear completely in good time.

Heat treatments such as sunbed and even baths and showers, as well as applications of body products such as fake tan are not advised on the area for 24 hours after your wax.

What you should know

Waxing removes hair from the root and exfoliates the skin by removing dead skin cells to give a very smooth result - much more so than shaving. Waxing is a popular option before going on holiday - it removes the stubble problem and the potential need to shave over burnt skin.

The disadvantage of waxing is that in order for the wax to have something to grab on to, hair must grow back by at least 1cm before being waxed again - that can take up to six weeks.

Ingrown hairs are another potential hazard. They appear when longer hairs break off underneath the skin instead of being fully pulled out, leading to inflamed follicles when regrowth begins. Topical creams, tea tree oil, and regular exfoliation can help prevent this problem.

The cost

Costs vary according to salon location and therapist. Expect to pay from £8 for a bikini wax or an upper lip wax and between £10-20 for a half leg wax. Back waxing from men starts from around £15.

The availability

Waxing is widely available in beauty salons and spas. Hot and cold waxing kits for home use are also widely available in chemists, supermarkets and other beauty outlets.

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