How Long Does Waxing Last?

If you’re about to venture on a vacation by the beach, or you’re just looking for a hair removal method with long-lasting results, you might consider waxing. But before you book your appointment, you might have a few questions. 

You’ve heard that waxing lasts longer than shaving—but is it really true? And if so, why? We’re going to answer a few common questions about waxing.

Waxing Explained

To help illustrate why waxing is different, we’re going to start by explaining how shaving works:

With this hair removal method, you use a sharp razor to remove hair from the surface layer of the skin. The hair typically regrows within a few days to a week. 

With waxing, the goal is to remove the hair from the follicle. First, the hot wax is applied to the treatment area. Then, the esthetician will apply a disposable strip on top of the wax. Once the product cools, they’ll remove the strip, which pulls the hair out from the follicle. 

On average, waxing lasts for 3-6 weeks. With each appointment, the hair follicle will become weaker; this means that new hairs will be thinner, sparser, and grow more slowly. 

To understand why waxing is so long-lasting, it helps to know a bit about how your hair grows. Here’s a quick rundown:

The hair growth cycle

Your hair regrows in three phases:

• Stage 1: Anagen. During this phase, your hair is actively re-growing. It’s best to wax the hair during the earliest stage of development; doing so will reduce hair regrowth.  
• Stage 2: Catagen. In the second phase, the hair finishes growing. The hair is cut off from the blood supply, and the follicle itself begins to shrink. It marks the transition into the third phase:
• Stage 3: Telogen. Also known as the “resting phase”, this is when the hair follicle becomes dormant. The telogen stage typically lasts 3 months. Eventually, the old hair will shed, and a new anagen hair will take its place. 

Preparing for Your Appointment

Waxing is less effective when your hair is short. Grow it out before your appointment for long-lasting results. Ideally, you want to let the hair grow to 3-6 mm long (or ¼-⅛ of an inch). 

If the hair is too short, the wax won’t be able to pull it out entirely, leading to broken hairs. This hair will grow back quickly and may cause ingrown hairs. 

Depending on how coarse or thick your hair is, your result times will vary. Hair grows faster on different areas of the body.

Which Areas Can You Get Waxed?

Our waxing services are available for the following areas:

• Stomach
• Chin
• Lip
• Forearms, full arms, and underarms
• Legs & thighs
• Bikini & Brazilian area
• Chest
• Full face
• Brows
• Back

We also offer waxing packages if you’re interested in combining multiple services. 

Managing Hair Growth Between Appointments

Here’s the number one rule about waxing: Don’t shave between appointments! With each waxing appointment, your hair will grow back slower and thinner. But shaving between appointments will erase your progress. You can reschedule waxing appointments every 3-6 weeks.

Waxing Aftercare

By taking care of your skin, you can make it feel even smoother. To reduce skin irritation, follow these care tips after your waxing appointment:

• Avoid tight clothes. Your skin might feel sensitive after it’s waxed. Reduce irritation by wearing loose-fitting clothes. Let your skin breathe! Try to choose a material that’s soft and comfy. 
• Apply soothing lotion. Bring down inflammation and moisturize your skin by applying a light lotion. Greasy and oily creams may clog the pores, so be sure to wait at least a day before moisturizing. If your skin is red, apply a cold towel or ice pack.
• Keep your skin safe from UV rays. Sun damage is never good for the skin, especially after waxing. Make sure to cover up your skin or apply sunscreen. 
• Don’t exfoliate! Using an abrasive product on your freshly-waxed skin will damage your open pores. When it’s time to rinse off, stick to a gentle lather instead.

Schedule Your Waxing Appointment Today!

At AiNails in Winnipeg, we’re committed to providing our customers with a high-end salon experience. Ready for a hair removal method that lasts? To book your waxing appointment, contact us today!