Among women, hair removal is a dreaded task. There are many questions on how to shave properly. When should I do it? How long will it last? Sometimes shaving can leave you with razor burns and ingrown hairs. However, if you choose the waxing route, you might deal with the pain, cost and upkeep of visiting a wax center.
Whether you choose to wax or shave, there are pros and cons to each. VALLEY is here to help you decide the best option for you.
Shaving
Shaving is the most common type of hair removal for women. When you shave, you are temporarily getting rid of the hair that grows through to the surface of your skin while the root of the hair stays in place.
There is a saying that once you shave, the hair grows back fast and thicker than before. However, shaving doesn’t make hair grow back any faster. It may seem more noticeable because of your skin or hair color, but shaving doesn’t affect your hair’s growth rate. Given that some women’s hair grows slower or faster than others, it’s mainly up to your genetics.
Hair growth and thickness vary from person to person, but shaving doesn’t actually cause hairs to grow back thicker or faster. According to Insider, the thickest part of your hair follicle is the part that emerges through to the skin, which makes it easy to assume that your hair is getting thicker.
Women may choose to shave because it may be the most convenient, even if it is tedious. With shaving, you simply run a razor across an area of your body and the hair is temporarily gone. However while quick, some women experience rashes and irritation, cuts, ingrown hairs, and sometimes pimples due to shaving.
The way you shave won’t affect growth but can affect the smoothness of your skin and ease of your shave. Overall, it’s best to replace your blade or razor every few uses. When considering the number of blades, more doesn’t always mean better. Make sure to do your research so you can find a razor that works best for your body hair. Some notable razor brands are Billie, Joy, and Flamingo.
Waxing
Waxing is another hair removal method that is very common for women. When you wax, your hair is being pulled out from the root. Once you do this, you have to let your hair grow out to a ¼ inch before you wax again, which is usually about every 3-4 weeks.
As you continue to wax, you are repeatedly ripping the hair out from the root, destroying the follicle, but not in any way that’s damaging to your body. The follicle gets weaker every time, causing hair to grow back slower and the follicle itself to be less dense and much finer.
Over time with waxing, you end up with minimal hair growth that is very easy to manage. However, waxing is not a permanent hair removal solution.
Waxing is beneficial if done properly. You might be red and sensitive the first 24 hours, but waxing comes with no rashes or cuts and can prevent ingrown hairs. It also tends to save a lot of people money from constantly buying shaving cream and razors.
Waxing at home, whether it be with strips or hard wax, can be safe if you read the directions and do a test strip, but it might be best to do your research and get it done professionally. When waxing, women often go for more than just their legs, so making sure it’s done right so there aren’t any sensitivities or adverse reactions would be best. The European Wax Center is a highly valued waxing center, spread all over the United States, and a great option to consider.
Whether to wax or to shave is all up to the woman. If you do choose to wax, remember not to shave in between waxing. If you choose to shave again, your hair will grow back the way it used to. Whatever you choose, conduct research, and choose what’s best for your body hair.
