Should you or shouldn’t you wax your face, that is the question. And we answer it here (2024)

A lot of people dread by the thought of face waxing. So, before you head out to get your face waxed, get these seven things clear in your mind.

Hair removal is a confusing process. When it comes to arms and legs, everyone from your grandmother to your local parlour lady won’t stop raving about the benefits of waxing.

The reduced hair growth, soft skin and that silky feeling when you slip into your pyjamas after are few of the many plus points. But talk about the same gooey wax on your face, and chances are they’ll shake their heads in uttermost disbelief.

The truth is there are so many different forms of hair removal–from waxing to threading and even shaving­—and navigating through all the choices to find the right option for you can get confusing.

If you’ve ever considered getting your face smothered with chocolate wax, here’s the answer to all the questions you ever had in your head.

1. Will waxing make my hair grow back thicker?
Let’s start with the one question that bothers most of us real quick. The answer is a big, bold NO. Although most people have their own self-made theories or old wives tale about it, waxing takes out the hair from the root, usually reducing regrowth, which means your hair looks thinner.

The thickness only comes from shaving because hair appears thicker when its broken from the middle.

2. Does the wax I choose matter?
It’s a legit question to ask when the wax varieties on the salon menu resemble a luxurious grocery list. The truth is, no matter what you choose¬–chocolate, green apple, charcoal or honey¬–the results remain the same.

Also read: 8 natural home remedies to get rid of ingrown hair–now and forever!

3. Can I wax my face if I have acne or any severe skin condition?
No way! If your skin is prone to breakouts, stay away from the hot liquid and consider others options like lasers.

We advise this because topical acne medication as well as oral medication contains ingredients like retinoids and accutane that make skin hypersensitive and prone to peeling.

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4. How often can I wax my face?
Depending on the speed of your hair growth, waxing can last you anywhere from two to six weeks. The results last longer as compared to threading or shaving your face, where stubbles might grow back in two-four days.

If you do end up waxing more frequently than this, chances are that your skin will keep stretching and sag before you hit those dreaded 40s.

Should you or shouldn’t you wax your face, that is the question. And we answer it here (2)

5. Will my face have any redness after waxing?
Probably, but that’s only cause you’re applying a hot liquid and pulling your skin to tear out hair. Redness can last anywhere between two to 12 hours and will settle down soon after.

You can also apply aloe vera gel to help the redness reside faster. But be cautious when you try it for the first time or at a new salon, and give yourself two days of a lead time in case you have any big event to prep for.

Also read: The not-so-good, bad, and ugly of getting a bikini wax

6. How do I know if I’m having a bad reaction to waxing?
If you notice tiny pimples and pus-filled bumps on the area you’ve waxed, chances are that your face is not best friends with wax.

This happens because waxing removes hair from the follicles, and they may inflame and react from this trauma, especially when you do it the first time. Visit a dermatologist immediately and they will help you with a topical cream.

7. Are there any other things I should tell my aesthetician before waxing?
Make sure she’s using clean strips and gloves to avoid spreading bacteria, as the skin on the face is more sensitive. Also, ensure she doesn’t double dip the knife or stick into the pot of wax.

Double dipping is when the stick is dipped into the wax, applied the wax to the skin, and then dipped into the wax again for the next application. This is a big no-no because bacteria from one client can get transferred to the pot of wax and passed on to the next person.

On the day you wax your face, make sure you’re not indulging in other treatments like facials or scrubs, as this can irritate the skin further.

Follow these ground rules and you should be good to go.

***
You can also follow Dr Kiran Sethi at @DrKiranSays on Instagram and YouTube

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Should you or shouldn’t you wax your face, that is the question. And we answer it here (2024)

FAQs

Should you or shouldn’t you wax your face, that is the question. And we answer it here? ›

Irritation – Facial skin is thinner and more sensitive than the skin on your body. Even with high-quality waxes, you can strip away healthy skin cells. Additionally, your facial skin is more likely to develop rashes, bumps, and ingrown hairs as a result of waxing.

Is it a bad idea to wax your face? ›

She listed the top three reasons to not wax the face. *Waxing rips off a layer of skin every time you do it. If you do this regularly (once in 15 days), it can strip away so much so that your skin becomes burnt and raw over time. *Your everyday facial products may burn (on applying) after waxing your face.

What is the problem of face wax? ›

Redness and irritation

You may notice that freshly waxed skin is pink or red, and slightly sensitive to the touch. Your everyday facial products may also burn so you should avoid alcohol-based toners after waxing your face. Redness should usually disappear by the next day. Apply a cool compress if it's tender.

Does waxing increase hair growth on the face? ›

Both, facial hair and body hair, will not grow back thicker with waxing. Of course, it is damaging to skin, especially facial skin. If you are looking at a permanent solution, laser treatment is the only way out.

Why is waxing not recommended? ›

Waxing cons

Because the hair is removed at the root, some people say waxing is more painful than shaving. The hot wax can also burn your skin if you're not careful. Waxing can cause inflamed hair follicles, pain, redness, ingrown hairs and skin irritation.

Should a woman wax her face? ›

Is it OK to wax facial hair? Yes! It's a popular form of hair removal for men and women because it's long-lasting and removes hair from the root. However, if you're on certain medications or have a skincare regimen, proceed with caution.

Does plucking facial hair make it grow back thicker? ›

Pulling out the entire hair follicle will initially cause the hair follicle to grow back a little thicker, depending on the location. A research study suggested that plucking hairs from high-density areas could induce thicker hair growth, while hairs plucked from low-density areas saw no additional hair growth.

What is the best way to remove face hair? ›

There are many methods that help you remove facial hair, include epilating, tweezing, waxing, shaving, bleaching, and threading facial hair. Other options also consist of the use of depilatory creams, lasers, IPL devices, electrolysis, or make-up.

What wax is best for the face? ›

Different wax types are better suited for specific treatment areas. For instance, hard wax is often the preferred choice for facial and intimate areas due to its gentle application and removal process. Soft wax, on the other hand, is commonly used for larger body areas like arms, legs, and back.

Is it better to wax or razor your face? ›

You should also be aware that shaving can result in inflamed hair follicles, itching, ingrown hairs, and razor burn. Whereas waxing acts as a form of exfoliation. Waxing has the added benefit of assisting in the elimination of dead skin cells. The removal of dead skin cells will soften your skin.

What are the disadvantages of removing facial hair? ›

Shaving can cause skin cuts and may lead to ingrown hairs. Plucking can hurt, especially if a lot of hairs are removed. Using hot wax can burn your skin. Chemicals that dissolve hair often smell bad and can cause allergic skin reactions.

What happens after years of waxing? ›

Hairs can stop showing up after 8 months of treatment in areas where it grows naturally finer, as well as with people with fine hair. It's just as common, however, for people to go through years of wax sessions before the hair stops growing for good.

Is waxing bad for your skin long term? ›

Moreover, the topmost layer of your skin is removed as well, making those open pores vulnerable to infection. This is often the reason for bacteria, bumps, and pimples appearing in the area. By waxing too often, the risks are even higher.

Can I wax my whole face? ›

Full face waxing includes sideburns, brows, lip, chin, cheeks, jaw, and forehead. You can also choose to get these areas done separately. However, we don't wax beard hair that's too thick as this could damage the skin. If you have a beard, we suggest trimming it down before waxing.

Will waxing facial hair make it worse? ›

Over time, many find that waxing causes their hair to thin and become less noticeable. If it is fluffier vellus hair, waxing it may stimulate blood circulation to the hair follicles, which can lead to it becoming coarser, so waxersrecommend avoiding this.

Will I get acne if I wax my face? ›

Post-wax pimples can appear because waxing removes hair follicles from the root, making skin more vulnerable to irritation. But often, those bumps aren't actually pimples, they're ingrown hairs. In both instances, it's important to choose your facial skincare routine carefully.

What is the best way to remove facial hair? ›

If you're bothered by the hair that grows on your face, follow these tips:
  1. Shaving. Shaving is one of the fastest and easiest ways to remove hair and continue your day. ...
  2. Tweezing. ...
  3. Epilation. ...
  4. At-home waxing. ...
  5. Laser hair removal. ...
  6. Depilatory creams. ...
  7. Threading. ...
  8. Sugaring.

Should I wax my face instead of shaving? ›

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.

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