Why start here? Because a modern low-temperature hard-wax can do its work at 100°F (37.7°C) while pure beeswax--an ancient formula--melts at 144°F (62.2°C). Waxing has come a long way over thousands of years of use.
Using sticky stuff to pull out hair is a technology as ancient as the pyramids. Primitive sticky recipes could be made of sugar and oil, or beeswax, pitch, even tar. We don't recommend using ancient methods today. Modern wax formulations are safe, well-tolerated, and effective.
More history.
The benefits of waxing are clear: easy, fast, long-lasting removal of hair. Temporary hair removal by waxing lasts so much longer because--when done properly--it takes hair out at the roots, leaving you with more time for other things.
A professional wax can last between 3-6 weeks; results that last even longer are possible if waxing is done on a regular schedule.
Waxing isn't for everyone. If you're taking medication for your acne, or using Retin-A or its derivatives, if you are currently taking antibiotics, or if you're sunburnt, or if you've recently undergone a chemical peel, you shouldn't be waxed. See the case studies.
You can wax if you are pregnant; you can wax if you are menstruating. However, you may find waxing more uncomfortable during these times due to increased sensitivity. A test patch is always available if you are unsure.
After a waxing treatment, the area may redden slightly because of temporary increased circulation. This will subside and return to normal within 6-8 hours.
Show the area some care, keep it clean with the mildest cleansing and water. Avoid hot-baths, saunas, steams, and heavy exercise for 12-24 hours. Keep the newly waxed area away from sunlight and strong UV, this includes tanning beds. Keep the area free of irritants like: perfumes, strong sunscreens, chemical exfoliants, and harsh exfoliants for 12-24 hours.
Some minor breakouts may occur after waxing, your skin professional will recommend a product or method to minimize these. In-grown hairs can occur as growth recurs. We recommend the use of: a salux cloth, loofah, or other gentle exfoliant to help ease these hairs out again.
Wax must be heated to be spreadable; high quality waxes are prized in part for their tendency to heat evenly.
Practitioner skill is important in avoiding injuries.
If wax is applied too hot, you can get burnt and possibly scar. An experienced waxing professional will remove this danger by testing the wax on themselves--without double dipping--before applying it to you and by using high quality products that melt more evenly and at a lower temperature.
If wax stays on too long, you can lose both skin and hair in the removal step and possibly scar. A waxing professional knows how to use the products through long hours of training and practice. A waxing professional also knows how to remove the product without injury in the unlikely event it is left on too long.
Waxing can damage the hair follicle - some claim the damage can lead to less hair over time, some say the increase in bleeding leads to more hair and stronger regrowth. Still the operative word is "damage" and the FDA considers waxing a temporary hair removal method.
If you read the waxing case studies. you'll see that post-treatment infection is also a risk. Your waxing professional should be using a fresh clean disposable applicator every time they reach for wax. Failure to do this raises the risk of contagion. Waxing done properly is a clean process.
We care and want you to be aware so that you can get the best possible service.
The sticky stuff is generally categorized into hard and soft varieties.
Soft varieties are soft and sticky even after they've cooled and are therefore removed with a cloth strip. Soft wax spreads exceptionally well, and excess can be removed easily with oil. Soft wax excels at removing hair and can even remove super-fine and super-short hairs, because it is sticky even when cool. However, this extra-stickiness can also pull and irritate skin if not used properly.
Hard waxes are tacky but not too sticky after they cool. They can be applied at low temperatures (100 °F), and can be removed without a cloth covering. These features of hard wax makes it less likely to stick to, or irritate, your skin.
Soft wax is often used for broad areas and hard wax reserved for sensitive, or smaller, patches. Hard wax is much more expensive than soft wax, and some technicians prefer one to the other. We feel each has good reason to exist and we use both.