Types of Body Wax Used at Waxing Salons
If you're new to body waxing and have sensitive skin or are prone to allergies, find out the types of hair wax the salon uses before you get the service.
For women (and men), waxing can be a great way to get rid of unwanted body hair. There are generally two different types of wax available. Although many salons and spas offer these services, you may find that you prefer a specific technician over others.
If you do not yet have a preferred technician, ask friends and family members for suggestions in the area. Your waxing session should be as painless and efficient as possible.
Different types of body wax
Regardless of the salon you choose to visit, you will primarily find two different kinds of wax: soft and hard. The type of wax that you select will depend on the area that you are waxing as well as personal preferences. There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of wax.
Hard wax is generally used for smaller parts of the body. Examples include the ears, face, nose, under the arms, and even the bikini area.
When this type of wax is applied to sensitive areas, it begins to cool and harden. During this process, it picks up the hair then lifts it up off of the skin so that it only grabs the hair when it is time to remove the wax. This process enables the wax to be safely removed without pulling on the skin, which many customers find to be less painful than other types of waxes.
When hard wax is applied, it needs to be on a relatively small area otherwise it could break and become ineffective. Once the layer of wax has been applied, there is a waiting period before it sufficiently hardens.
On the contrary, soft wax is the go-to wax for larger areas such as legs, arms, and the back. This wax is typically spread over a larger area, covered with a cloth, and removed. One benefit of this method is that the soft wax does a good job of getting rid of finer hairs. However, unlike hard wax, it cannot be reapplied to an area because it will begin to remove dead skin cells rather than any remaining hair. This type of wax does not require much of a waiting period as it only needs to harden slightly before it is removed. Although hard wax can be applied in different directions to help grab and remove hair, soft wax can only be applied in the direction that the hair is growing.
Waxing can cause skin problems
Although wax is an effective form of hair removal, it can be irritating to the skin. However, some people are allergic to the wax itself. Signs of an allergy may include red and irritated skin, along with itching, blisters, and swelling in more serious reactions. If you are allergic to wax, ask ahead of time if your technician can use a hypoallergenic wax.
If you did not know beforehand that you were allergic and are experiencing symptoms after your session, there are home care measures that you can take. For example, if your skin it itchy or very irritated, try applying a hydrocortisone cream to the affected area. You can also apply ice packs to help soothe irritated skin. If you are suffering from pain and inflammation, over-the-counter ibuprofen is a good choice.