Types of Facial Hair Removal Methods
When it comes to getting rid of excess hair on your face, you have options galore. Let’s do a quick overview of the most common techniques people use before diving into the details on **facial waxing**:Waxing Methods
Waxing is hands down the most popular choice for facial hair removal today. It yanks out hair from the root so you get long-lasting results. There are a few different types of waxes used on the face: **Soft wax** – This heated wax is applied directly to the skin, then removed with cloth or paper strips. It works best for thinner hair. **Hard wax** – Also known as stripless wax. This wax is applied warm then allowed to cool and harden on the skin before being removed by hand. It’s gentler overall. **Sugar waxing** – A sticky wax made from sugar, lemon juice and water that grasps hair extremely well. It’s better suited to sensitive areas.Non-Waxing Methods
If waxing sounds too harsh for your facial skin there are other options like: **Shaving** – Quick and affordable but causes stubble to reappear fast. Not so great for sensitive skin types either. **Depilatory creams** – Chemical creams that dissolve hair but can irritate skin. **Laser hair removal** – Uses pulses of laser light to destroy hair follicles. Takes several sessions over weeks or months. **Electrolysis** – An electric current destroys individual hairs one by one. Completely permanent but time consuming. **IPL devices** – At-home devices that use broad spectrum light to remove hair. Can take many repeat treatments to see results. Now let’s zero in on everything that goes into the **waxing facial hair** process itself. Time to get up close and personal with face wax!Facial Waxing Process Step-by-Step
Doing an at-home **face wax** takes a little bit of prep but gets quick results. Here’s how to DIY it safely:Before Waxing
Make sure your hair is long enough. It should be at least 1⁄4 inch long for the wax to grip properly. Trimming it is better than shaving right before. Exfoliate a day or two before, not right before your appointment. This sweeps away dead skin cells so wax can adhere tightly to hair. Avoid direct sun on your face as much as possible the week before waxing. Sun exposure can heighten sensitivity. Don’t apply lotions, creams or oils the day you’ll be waxing. These can form a barrier leading to patchy wax jobs.Waxing Session
Gather your supplies first. At minimum you’ll need: – Wax warmer – Wax beads or strips – Applicators like popsicle sticks or spatulas – Muslin strips – Powder (like baby powder or cornstarch) – Tweezers Melt your wax beads/strips as directed, checking frequently so it doesn’t overheat. Just test a drop on your wrist – it should feel warm, not hot. Apply a thin layer of wax in the direction your hair grows using applicator stick, going over small sections of skin at a time. Don’t rush. Apply powder to help the wax grip hair better. Press a muslin strip over wax, then pull strip off *against* the direction of hair growth. Do this in one quick, firm motion. Tweeze any hairs that got left behind. Visually check for irritation after and apply aloe vera gel or hydrocortisone if needed. Red dots are normal, red widespread rash is not. Call your doctor if reaction seems severe.Aftercare
Post waxing, avoid sun exposure for 24 hours since skin will be sensitive initially. **Exfoliate gently** 2-3 days later with a loofah sponge or chemical exfoliant to prevent ingrown hairs. Moisturize daily with a gentle, unfragranced lotion too so skin doesn’t dry out.Eyebrow Waxing
Getting flawless brows just takes a few extra considerations compared to other facial waxing. But the impact is phenomenal – your eyes will pop like never before!Benefits of Eyebrow Waxing
Waxing expertly shapes and sculpts eyebrows for definition most people struggle to achieve tweezing strand by strand. The precision pays off with eyebrows that beautifully frame your eyes. You’ll also enjoy weeks of perfectly groomed brows minus the hassle of daily filling them in. **Eyebrow waxing** kills two birds with one stone!Before Appointment
As always, let hair grow out first. For brows, 1⁄2 inch of length is ideal to work with. Resist plucking or trimming for best wax adhesion. Discuss the exact brow shape you want to achieve with your esthetician. Bring pictures too if you have an ideal arch in mind. This helps them customize and map out your brow plan.The Waxing Process
The technique itself isn’t too different than regular facial waxing. It just demands more careful detail and skill on the part of your wax specialist. They should use a specialized angled spatula to apply brow wax. After brows are waxed, most technicians will tweeze stray hairs the wax missed and trim any long poking strands. Some places offer brow tinting too for extra definition.Aftercare
Avoid makeup, sweating heavily or washing brows directly for 24 hours so skin stabilizes. Once healed, use a spoolie wand daily to groom hairs and nourish with brow conditioner or coconut oil.Cost and Frequency
Depending how often your hair grows, plan on professional **eyebrow waxing** every 3-4 weeks to maintain shape. Occasional touch ups in between are fairly cheap if needed too. Cost generally runs $15-$25 per session with higher end salons charging more.Best Practices and Precautions
Waxing the face does take a delicate touch. Make sure to keep these pointers in mind:Who Should Avoid Waxing
If you’re on prescription acne medication like Accutane, waxing can damage skin severely. Retinol creams also make skin too thin and sensitive for waxing. Those prone to cold sores may experience flare ups from upper lip waxing irritation. If you’ve struggled with this before, opt to tweeze that area instead. Or ask your doctor about preventative Valtrex medication.Reducing Pain and Irritation
Wax when your monthly cycle causes least bloating, tenderness and breakouts for low pain. Take an anti inflammatory like ibuprofen an hour before appointments too. Always apply antiseptic and soothing creams post-waxing. This prevents infection plus alleviates inflammation and redness reactions.Preventing Infections
Waxing does create microscopic nicks where bacteria can enter and trigger breakouts. Avoid makeup or touching face excessively the first 48 hours. Keep your pillowcases and towels clean as well during this time. See your dermatologist if signs of infection emerge – we’re talking honey colored crusting, weeping fluid or expanding redness. You’ll likely need antibiotic medicine. Don’t mess with skin infections!Treating Ingrown Hairs
To banish embarrassing ingrowns, regularly exfoliate and use light chemical peels with salicylic acid about twice a week post waxing. Tea tree oil and crushed aspirin mixed with water make great DIY spot treatments too. If ingrowns worsen or multiply, see your esthetician for extractions. We literally pop these suckers out best! At home extractions often spread more bacteria causing acne.Healing Burns or Cuts
In the event of any nicks, burns or wounds from poor wax removal – *(hey even pros make mistakes!)* – clean the area immediately with hydrogen peroxide then apply antibiotic ointment and bandage. Watch closely for signs of infection and avoid reopening the wound. See your dermatologist promptly if it shows infection. Skin heals remarkably fast when cared for properly!At-Home Facial Waxing
Curious if you can DIY **facial wax** treatments like a pro too? Here’s the lowdown:Is it Recommended?
It’s not out of the question for an at-home face wax but pros definitely have more experience ensuring ideal results without irritation. Home waxing involves a learning curve. If you have very sensitive skin or are new to waxing entirely, starting off with an expert is wise. But once you get comfortable with the process, by all means give it whirl yourself and save the cash!Best Products for Home Use
Opt for easy-to-use, beginner friendly kits that won’t overwhelm first timers. Products containing soothing, nourishing ingredients are ideal for the face. Nad’s Facial Wax Strips don’t require heating at all – just rub the textured cloths between your hands then press over hair. Super user friendly! For microwave kits, always opt for delicate **face wax** beads over chunks which get way too hot. Test wax temperature on your wrist like a pro before slathering it on delicate skin.Technique Tips
Work methodically in small sections, applying just thin layers of wax instead of trying to coat too much skin at once. Rushing leads to patchy results for novices. When in doubt, LESS wax is more! Too much buildup makes removing the wax properly nearly impossible without feeling like you’re ripping all your skin off. Eek. Tweeze instead of reapplying strips endlessly to the same spot trying futilely to catch those last few stubborn hairs. Surefire way to get irritation. Know when to call it quits.When to See a Professional
If you’ve waxed three times at home now with increasing bumps, burns and breakouts – stop! Delicate facial skin obviously needs a pro’s expertise. Listen to your skin. See an esthetician too for special events when you want brow shaping or lip waxing flawlessness. We live for doing picture perfect wax jobs!Can the Techniques for Armpit Waxing be Applied to Face Wax Strips?
Yes, beginner armpit waxing techniques can generally be applied to face wax strips as well. The same principles of applying the wax, pressing firmly, and pulling in the opposite direction of hair growth are used. However, it’s crucial to use a gentler wax formula for the delicate facial skin.