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Different types of waxing for hair removal

Waxing is one of the most effective ways of removing excess or unwanted hair from the body. It involves depilation, which is the removal of the entire hair shaft from below the skin’s surface. It is among the most effective methods of temporary hair removal. There are many types of waxing techniques out there, with warm waxing being the most popular one. For those who do not know the different types of waxing for hair removal, this article will dive into a couple different techniques and provide further explanation.

Soft waxing for hair removal

Soft waxing is also known as strip waxing because it requires a strip to remove hair from the body. In this method, a thin layer of soft wax is applied in the direction of hair growth then quickly taken off in the opposite direction, taking hair off with it. Often, it’s not about how long the wax stays on the skin, but how quickly it is taken off.

Woman getting her legs waxed by beauty therapist in the health spa

To be effective, it requires a quarter inch of hair growth in order to successfully remove the hair from the skin. After the skin is cleansed, some powder is applied to soak up the extra moisture and also to provide a barrier on the skin.

Soft wax is made by different companies and the quality varies greatly. You will find some that use creamy base and others that use honey. They are also based on certain ingredients which include tea tree, cherry, lavender and chocolate among others.

Different forms of soft wax

  • Heated soft wax

This type of wax is mostly found in a port and is often softened by a microwave or a warmer. It is one of the best techniques because the heat makes it easy to spread and also softens the hair and skin thereby lessening waxing pain.

  • Cold soft wax

Cold soft wax is taken directly from the port and applied on the skin. Even though it is convenient, it is firmer, meaning that you can have a hard time trying to get an even layer. Many people also find cold soft wax more painful than when heated. A downside to this technique is that it can leave hair behind if it is not applied properly.

  • Pre made strips

In this case, the pre-made strips already have the  wax attached. This type of waxing is not only easy to use, but it also leaves no chance of putting too much of the product. Depending on the amount of hair you are removing, you may use waxing strips more than once on a single area. However, it’s always advisable to pre-heat the strips before using by rubbing them between your palms as this enables them to stick well on the hair. The strip is simply placed on the skin and moved in the direction of the hair. Some of our favorite products at Intrinsics are our waxing strips and waxing rolls, made from high-quality, all-natural cotton.

Hard waxing for hair removal

Also known as stripless waxing, this is another popular waxing method for hair removal. This is because it does not require a strip to remove hair. It is often warmed slightly, but can be used at room temperature or cold. Hard wax for hair removal is applied thicker than soft but in the direction of hair growth and works great for areas with thick hair growth. Hard wax is also useful for smaller, more sensitive areas.

Have any other waxing techniques that you have found useful? Drop us a line in the comment section! We'd love to hear from you

Topics:   Spa