While shaving can be very convenient and not to mention, painless, it’s not always the best option for your armpits. Besides, with shaving you’ll have to do it every few days. Waxing, on the other hand, won’t be as frequent. But it also has its share of pros and cons.
The Pros of Underarm Waxing
First of all, whether you go for soft or hard wax, both options will have an exfoliating effect on your skin. Not only will you be hair-free, but your skin will also be silky-smooth.
Secondly, waxing pulls out hair from the root, when it grows back it’ll be thinner and softer, plus it will grow much more slowly.
The Drawbacks of Underarm Waxing
Waxing is not for everybody. In fact some people do complain of symptoms like itching, redness and bumps after getting a wax. Fortunately, most of these issues subside after a few hours or a few days. Other more severe side effects include burns, bleeding and even infection. But for the most part these issues can be avoided when you follow both the instructions of how to apply the wax as well as for aftercare. If you’re getting underarm waxing in a salon or spa, just make sure your esthetician is experienced and knowledgeable.
If you get a burn, apply ice on the affected area for 10-15 minutes. Don’t use deodorant. If blisters with pus occur, have it checked by a health care provider as soon as possible.
Finally, as with any kind of waxing, you will feel some pain or discomfort. First-timers will experience more pain but the pain level goes down the more often you get yourself waxed. Some people also have a higher tolerance for pain than others. Another consideration is the thickness of your hair. The thicker it is, the more painful it is to remove. Finally, the skill level of your esthetician also helps determine how much pain or discomfort you’ll experience.
DIY Underarm Waxing
If you prefer to do it yourself, that’s definitely OK too. The underarm may be sensitive but it’s not as complex or tricky as a bikini area. In any case, the first thing you need to do is to pick the right product. You’ll have to choose between a soft wax or a hard wax, and you also have to consider the ingredients the product contains to make sure you’re not sensitive or allergic to any of it.
Next, follow these steps:
- Exfoliate your skin at least a day before you wax it.
- Trim a bit of your hair. It should only have a length of ¼ to no more than ¾ of an inch.
- Check the temperature of the wax before you apply it. You don’t want it too hot that it will burn your skin.
- Apply the wax in the direction of hair growth. Let it sit for a bit until the wax is ready to be pulled out.
- When pulling out, do so against the direction of the hair growth.
You’ll have to do a bit of trial and error but you’ll get the hang of it eventually. If you want the pros to take care of the waxing for you, try Ministry of Waxing.
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