This is because waxing removes the whole hair right down to the root, when it grows back it is thinner and tapered so it is less likely to get trapped under the skin. When you shave, the hair is cut in the middle of the follicle, so it grows back with a blunt end causing it to get stuck under the skin.
“Waxing lasts longer over time because hair is being removed from the follicle whereas shaving just cuts it at the surface,” says Shays. “Waxing will leave you smoother longer as unwanted hairs become thinner and in some cases don't grow back at all.
Although the results are fairly similar, there's one key difference: how long they last. On average, waxing lasts around 3 or 4 weeks because the hair is removed at the root. Hair grows back much faster with shaving, though — within 3 days to a week. This is because shaving only removes the top layer of the hair.
Never Shave Between Waxes
The detriments of shaving are countless, especially if you're trying to reap the benefits of waxing. With regular waxing, hair may eventually become finer and grow more slowly, increasing your time between waxes and reducing the appearance of hair.
One of the top reasons people prefer waxing over shaving is that the results will last much longer. This is because Wax removes hair by the root, whereas razors remove only the hair above the surface of the skin. Typically waxing can give you hair-free skin for several weeks longer than shaving.
Waxing also exfoliates the skin by picking up dead skin cells. Compared to shaving, waxing exfoliates the skin much more and leaves it looking and feeling smoother for longer.
Board-certified dermatologist Ellen Marmur previously told Cosmo that when you pull the hair from the root, “eventually, this hair follicle will stop growing hair altogether.” In other words, the longer you continue to remove the root by waxing or sugar waxing, the less the hair will grow back.
Up to 1/2 inch should be fine. If your hair is any longer you may feel some discomfort when the wax is applied. It will also make it trickier for your therapist to get the job done. Trim excess hair down beforehand or shave and wait a couple of weeks for it to grow back before returning to the salon.
Dry, brittle hair could possibly have broken during your wax. Reduce this from happening by exfoliating (a couple to few times a week) and moisturizing (daily) between wax appointments.
Less irritation: If you prep well, waxing may be less likely than shaving to cause rashes and bumps. Long lasting: Wax pulls hair out from the root, so you'll stay smooth for longer than you would with a razor. Eventually, the hair grows back — but a Brazilian wax can keep you hair-free for three or four weeks.
To most, it's a confidence boost, hygienic, and, for some, it's the only option for hair removal as shaving irritates and causes issues with ingrown hairs. Waxing when done correctly and with the appropriate aftercare can help prevent ingrown hair and painful infections.
Removing pubic hair is a personal preference. Some girls trim their pubic hair, or go to a salon to have a “bikini wax”; others prefer to shave just about every day, but most just leave it alone. It's not necessary to remove the hair in this area to keep your body clean.
Sunburned, irritated or areas with open skin cannot be waxed. Moles cannot be waxed. You must wait a minimum of seven (7) days before waxing after a light chemical peel or Microdermabrasion. Waxing cannot be performed if you have been in a tanning booth the same day.
Pubic hair needs to be at least the length of a grain of rice or ¼ of an inch long. Many people feel self-conscious about hair being too long before their Brazilian wax, but longer hair is grabbed by wax better. If you trim beforehand, you could cut it too short and forfeit the ability to wax.
How long is long enough for my hair to get a bikini wax? You'll get the best wax if you let the hair grow to about ¼ inch so the wax can fully adhere.
How long will the results last? After a client's first waxing, the results can last 3 to 6 weeks depending on the individual's hair re-growth rate. In most cases, hair growth is minimal during the first week or two and noticeably increases in the third and fourth week.
Laser hair removal or electrolysis
Laser hair removal and electrolysis are both considered “permanent” methods to denude pubes: both eliminate hair follicles so hair doesn't grow back.
You may have read that waxing can cause darkening and darker skin patches called hyperpigmentation. The facts are, with superior product and expert technique, waxing won't cause hyperpigmentation at all.
Will waxing make my hair grow back thicker/stronger/darker? Absolutely not. Waxing does not cause you to grow more hair follicles. In fact, if you become a regular waxer, you will notice that your hair will become quite sparse and not as coarse.
You really don't need to remove your pubic hair for any health reasons, sexual or otherwise, other than perhaps decreasing odor from sweat. When it comes down to it, pubic hair grooming is a personal preference.
What Areas Should I Not Wax? Irritated, inflamed, cut, or sunburned skin. Any area that has a rash, recent scar tissue, a skin graft, pimples, cold sores, moles or warts. Anywhere you're having dermabrasion services or have gotten them in the past three months.