Beauty Haven Belfast Online

Waxing versus Shaving – 10 things you need to know

Waxing or shaving? It  really comes down to two things, preference and cost. If you aren’t sure which method to opt for we have a few tips for you:

1. Clients who opt for waxing often think trimming the hair in areas such as the bikini line may ease the pain as the hairs will not be so long but this is not the case, in fact if the hairs are too short they will break at the surface rather than come out at the root. The hairs should ideally be about one eighth of an inch for the best waxing results.
2. During the menstrual cycle you can be more sensitive to pain so best to avoid waxing for that reason. In fact your pain threshold can vary for many reasons, if you are tired, not in a great mood, perhaps haven’t been sleeping, all of these things can make you feel a little more sensitive to pain. Some clients advise us they take a couple of paracetamol or ibuprofen prior to waxing, and in their opinion it takes the edge of the pain however we could not recommend this.
3. If you are taking any medication make sure you let your therapist know especially Accutane, or creams containing AHA’s or Retin A, these are not compatible with waxing and could lead to skin burns or the skin lifting.
4. It’s important to avoid hot baths, showers and sun exposure following a waxing treatment as the skin will be extra sensitive for 24/48 hours. Once the skin has settled, try to exfoliate two or three times a week as thing will lessen the likelihood of ingrown hairs.
5. In most cases you should find your waxing treatment will last around four weeks, six if you are lucky. It is a definitely a more permanent option than shaving and also less time consuming as you aren’t reaching for the razor every day. However dependent on your budget waxing can be expensive so if you opt for shaving here a few tips:
6. Wet shave, dry shave, multi-blade razors, double-blade razors, shaving cream, oil,  foam or gel.  There is such a wide range of products to use for shaving, it’s just about finding the right one that works for you!Wash the area you want to shave with warm water.  This will help clean the skin of impurities and bacteria that could cause infection.  It will also open up the pores, helping to get a closer shave.  Some find it easier to shave whilst in the bath or shower.
7. Apply your product, sometimes allowing the product to sit on your skin for a few minutes before you begin shaving will soften the hairs slightly and make it easier for you to shave.
8. Remember to shave in the same direction as the hair growth. This usually means shaving downward, but not always. Going against the direction of the hair growth makes for a closer shave, but it may irritate the skin more and is likely to cause cuts.Be sure to keep rinsing your razor to get rid of any hairs that have stuck in between the blades.Last but not least make sure the skin is pulled tight to create a smooth surface to shave over.
9. Downsides to shaving include nicks, irritation, ingrown hairs and shadows, none of which can be covered easily with make up.Downsides to waxing include, letting the hairs grow, ingrown hairs and more discomfort.
10. If you are concerned about excessive hair growth it may be worth having your GP organize some hormone tests. There are various medications available that can help.