More than 70 percent of women remove the hair on their legs at least three times per week, says “Women’s Health” magazine. Wax hair removal lasts much longer than shaving, so you do not need to tackle body hair as often as three times per week. Instead, waxing lasts up to six weeks, which can make it a good choice for busy women or those who are going on vacation and do not want to worry about body hair. Waxing should be done carefully for the best results, and tips from the pros can help give you the smoothest results possible.
Preparation
Before you wax, it is important that your hair is the optimal length. If it is too short, you will have trouble gripping the hair with the wax. Too long, and the waxing session could be necessarily painful. The Kids Health website, a division of the Nemours Foundation, recommends waxing when your hair is about one-quarter inch, so wait for it to grow or trim it accordingly. Most wax kits will instruct you to heat the wax and gather all supplies beforehand so you can complete the wax quickly, easily and comfortably.
Application
Make sure your skin is clean, dry and stripped of any oils before you attempt to wax; any residue on the skin could prevent the wax from adhering to the hair well, notes the Simply Hair Removal website. Before you apply the wax, analyze your hair patterns and discern which direction the hair grows. You’ll need to apply the wax in the same direction as the hair growth. In areas where hair growth is sporadic, you may need to apply it in smaller patches.
Removal
Once you have applied the wax, press the fabric strip down on the wax and press three times in the direction of the hair growth. This ensures a good grip on the hair. If you can, hold the skin taut with one hand. Grip the edge of the strip between your thumb and forefinger; rip swiftly against the direction of the hair growth to remove. Look at the skin afterward. If you notice that there are still hairs, you may try waxing again. If they don’t come off with a second wax, consider plucking them out.
After Care
Once you’ve completed your wax, it’s important that you care for the area properly to ward off rashes or ingrown hairs. Avoid wearing tight clothes that might cause irritations, and don’t use moisturizer until the area is no longer red. The All Women’s Talk website recommends against using public facilities like saunas, hot tubs or pools directly after the wax, as they could cause infection. After 24 hours, exfoliate the area to avoid potential ingrown hairs.
Pain Relief
Those with sensitive skin will likely find waxing to be an effective yet painful form of hair removal. You can dull some pain associated with the waxing by taking two ibuprofen about 30 minutes before you plan to wax. Fill a bowl with ice cubes. Directly after the fabric is torn off, apply ice to the leg to reduce swelling, redness and pain for a more comfortable waxing session.
