Introduction
(Photo by Afonso Lima)No matter what time of year, a pair of smooth and silky legs are a woman's best fashion accessory.
When it comes to hair removal, consumers have many options. There are two ways of removing hair - at the surface of the skin (shaving, depilatories) or at the root (waxing, tweezing, laser, electrolysis, threading).
For some people, the idea of waxing off unwanted hair conjures up images of pain and discomfort. But if done correctly, it's not as unpleasant as you've heard.
Types of Wax
- There are a few different types of wax used in hair removal:
- Hot Wax: This wax has to be heated in a microwave or warmed before applying. Most salons use this type of wax.
- Cold Wax: No heating is needed for this type of wax. Cold wax can be more difficult to work with because it's thick and sticky. However, it's a good way to start for beginners since there is no chance of overheating the wax and accidentally burning your skin.
- Pre-waxed Strips: These strips have wax already pre-applied. Simply hold the strip between your hands and rub it. This will create enough body heat to slightly warm the wax before applying the strip to your skin.
- What is sugaring?
- This method for hair removal is just like waxing, only the substance used is made from sugar. Some people prefer sugaring over waxing because it's a natural substance, more gentle on the skin and easy to clean off from skin. Once you become knowledgeable about sugaring and hair removal, you can even make your own sugar substance.
Step 1: Understanding How Waxing Works
- Although there are many methods for removing hair, waxing is becoming more popular for many reasons. The main benefit of waxing is that the hair is removed from the root and can last much longer than shaving or other methods that simply removing hair at the surface. Although waxing does not permanently remove hair, it can provide several weeks of smooth skin for some people.
Advantages of Waxing
Hair-free legs for longer periods of time.
It can be done in under 30 minutes once you've practiced enough.
Waxing exfoliates your skin.
It's less expensive.
Some experts say that consistent waxing decreases overall hair growth.
Step 2: Selecting a Waxing Kit
- Many different companies offer waxing products for home use. Purchase a basic waxing kit until you get more experienced. At some point you may want to experiment with products that professional salons use. But for now, start with a simple kit created especially for people waxing their own legs.
Waxing Kit
- Your kit should contain the following items:
- Hot or Cold Wax
- Wooden Spatulas
- After-wax Lotion
- Muslin Strips
- Instructions
- In addition to those items, you will need:
- Clean Towels
- Hand Mirror
- Loofah Sponge or Exfoliating Glove
Before Buying Your Kit
Talk to your friends about kits they prefer and why.
Check out online blogs where consumers share information on the products that work best.
Remember that for beginners it's best to start safe with cold wax or pre-applied strips.
Go to your local drugstore and review the different waxing products they have.
Visit your online beauty supplier and compare prices to get the best deal.
Step 3: Prepare Your Skin
- In order to get the best results and the smoothest legs, there are some things you need to do days before you wax.
Grow Your Hair
- Don't shave in the days or weeks prior to waxing your legs. Your leg hair should be at least 1/4" long so it can adhere to the wax strip.
Exfoliate Skin
- One or two days before you wax, exfoliate your skin. This will remove dead skin cells and help you avoid ingrown hairs.
- Start exfoliation by wetting legs.
- Apply a small amount of mild liquid soap or exfoliating cream to your loofah sponge, pumice or wash cloth.
- Rub your legs in a circular motion with the sponge to create lather.
- Rinse and repeat.
Step 4: Start Clean
- Now that your legs have been properly prepared for safer waxing by exfoliation, you can start the process of hair removal. Since waxing removes hair at the root, your legs become more vulnerable to skin infections. To prevent problems, it's very important to maintain a clean work area throughout the waxing process and to use an antibacterial lotion afterwards.
Set Up a Work Station
- Choose a spot with plenty of room for easy access to your waxing products.
- Locate a place with a clean flat surface near a sink.
- Find a comfortable chair.
- Put the chair near your work station.
- Place a clean towel over the surface.
- Lay out all the waxing products from your kit on the towel.
- Make sure that you've read the instructions carefully from your waxing kit.
Pre-Soak Your Legs
- It's important to have clean and dry legs before you apply wax.
- Fill a bath tub with warm water.
- Soak your legs for at least 15 minutes.
- Check your legs for cuts or scrapes so you can avoid putting wax in those areas.
- Gently wash your legs with a mild soap.
- Dry your legs completely with a soft towel.
Step 5: Begin Waxing
- Once your legs are completely dry, it's time to start the waxing process. Some experts recommend using a preapplication oil before you apply the wax. Your skin should be clean and dry. Make sure you don't apply wax to varicose veins, moles, warts, cuts or blemishes.
- Sit at your work station.
- Rub your leg in the opposite direction of hair growth to make the hair stand up as much as possible. This will help the hair better adhere to the wax strips.
- Choose a small section of hair on your calf for a test patch. As with any new product, it's always wise to make sure you don't have an allergic reaction.
- Take notice of the direction your hair is growing.
- Apply a very thin layer of wax to your skin.
- Take a clean muslin strip and apply it on top of the wax. An alternative method is to apply the wax directly to the strip first and then to your leg.
- Press down firmly on the strip several times in the direction of the hair growth.
- Smooth out any wrinkles in the muslin strip.
Removing the Strip
- The secret to reducing pain while removing the most amount of hair is to keep skin as taut as possible and pull off the strip quickly.
- Smooth the strip one more time before beginning the process of pulling it off.
- While holding the skin down with one hand, slightly peel the top portion of the strip with the other hand so you can get a good grip.
- As you continue to hold your skin in place, begin to quickly pull the strip straight down parallel to your body and in the opposite direction of the hair growth.
- Immediately after pulling off the strip, rub your leg to decrease any pain.
- Remove any left over bits of wax with the same strip by quickly applying and removing the strip.
- If you still have enough wax on the strip, you can reuse the same cloth for other parts of your leg. Otherwise, start over with a new strip.
- Avoid doing partial work. Finish your entire calf (or full) leg before moving onto the next leg.
Step 6: After Care
- Now that you've removed all the hair on your legs, it's important to apply an after-wax lotion. Your at-home kit will contain a cream or an antibacterial product to use when you're done. This lotion will help cool down and sooth your legs.
- Gently rub the antibacterial lotion in the same direction of hair growth.
- If you run out of lotion, use aloe vera cream instead.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing such as pants or leggings for at least a few hours. Give the lotion a chance to set it and your skin a chance to rest from the waxing.
- Exfoliate after waxing (and in-between waxing) to decrease the chance of ingrown hairs.
Conclusion
- Most people need to wax their legs a few times before they master the process. Be patient and experiment with different types of products. Remember the key element in reducing pain is to keep your skin taut while removing the muslin strips. If you practice enough, you'll become an expert at hair removal in no time.
Resources for How to Wax Your Legs
United States Food and Drug Administration: Hair removal
Associated Skin Care Professionals: Education for consumers on waxing
Hair Facts: Methods for removing hair
About.com: How to wax your legs
eHow: How to wax leg hair
The Budget Fashionista: Wax your own legs (June 6, 2006)
BBC UK: Tips for Leg Waxing
Your Beauty Spot: Wax your legs like a pro
Life Script: 4 secrets for smooth legs (December 8, 2007)
The Hair Facts: Sugaring
Drug Store: Waxing products
Folica: Wax warmers
WiredBerries: The hairy truth (May 7, 2007)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Removing hair safely
MedicineNet: Hair removal
Team Sugar: Wax on! Wax off! (December 30, 2007)
BlogHer: The truth about waxing (July 28, 2006)
eHow: Exfoliate dry skin
HealthLink: A dermatologist comments on hair removal methods
Video Jug: Hair Removal with Wax (Time: 3:15)
Video Jug: Waxing and Sugaring Hair Removal (Time: 3:15)
