Facial hair waxing
Waxing facial hair is a good solution for removing unwanted hair on the eyebrows, chin, cheeks or above the upper lip. It is definitely worth learning all about waxing for those who have encountered a similar problem, but managed to become disillusioned with creams, tweezers, and other means. Before starting the procedure, it is worth figuring out which wax strips and liquid compositions for hair removal are better to choose, how to use them - then the result of their application will be really impressive.
Advantages and disadvantages
Waxing or wax depilation is a fairly simple procedure that can be done both at home and in a beauty salon. Side effects are minimal, pain is also not very intense.
With the help of wax on the face, you can quickly remove the mustache above the upper lip, smooth the area between the eyebrows, on the chin, and cheeks.
Both in the salon and at home, the procedure has quite a few obvious advantages.
- Availability of use. Consumables for wax depilation are available for sale. You don't have to go to a salon to remove excess facial hair.
- High speed of the procedure. On average, all manipulations take no more than 15 minutes.
- Prolonged effect. When using wax depilation, it is possible to remove not only superficial hairs, but also the bulbs hidden under the skin. The result lasts from 4 to 6 weeks, over time it is possible to achieve a noticeable thinning of unwanted vegetation.
- The ability to depilation is zoned. This is convenient in the case of the face, since hair growth here is not very uniform, their length and thickness differ. Sometimes it is necessary to combine hot and cold methods for optimal results.
- The possibility of repeated use. This works especially well with wax strips. They can be repeatedly applied to the skin for perfect smoothness.
In addition to the pluses, waxing also has minuses. These include painful sensations that may occur during the procedure. Sometimes the effect of ingrowth of hairs under the skin is observed, in which inflammatory processes develop. Wax depilation is not suitable if unwanted facial hair is too short, for example, after shaving. Sometimes after waxing, irritation appears, which persists for a long time.
Contraindications
All contraindications for waxing can be divided into permanent and temporary. An absolute ban on waxing is established in the following cases:
- with diabetes mellitus;
- in the presence of tumor processes in the body;
- with cardiovascular pathologies and diseases in severe form;
- in the presence of reduced blood clotting;
- with immunodeficiency of various origins.
On a temporary basis, the procedure is canceled in case of a number of neurological disorders, as well as during the period of taking certain medications. Do not wax your face if you are allergic to wax or its components. After Botox injections in the forehead, cheeks, nasolabial folds, it is better to postpone the procedure for 7 days. You can use wax strips even while carrying a baby or breastfeeding, but hot exposure at this time is undesirable. It is better to refrain from visiting the salon.
Attention should also be paid to the general condition of the skin. It is better to postpone the procedure if it contains:
- signs of rosacea;
- acne;
- acne;
- scratches, abrasions, open wounds;
- scar tissue;
- birthmarks and other neoplasms;
- herpes.
In the presence of such problems, it is worth consulting with a dermatologist regarding the safety and feasibility of waxing.
What is the best wax to use?
Depilatory wax can also be different. Depending on the peculiarities of the procedure, the hairs are removed by the cold method or by applying a hot composition prepared on the basis of granules or solid material. All options are worth considering in more detail.
- Cold depilation with wax strips. In this case, the finished composition goes on sale, applied to a paper or linen base. Heating before use is carried out without additional devices by simply rubbing the strip in the palms. The method is considered an express alternative to full-scale depilation in the salon, well suited for combating fine and light hairs between the eyebrows, on the cheeks, above the lip.
- Warm wax. Here we are talking about a composition on which you have to apply strips of paper or fabric yourself. A depilatory product is produced in cans or rollers; before the procedure, it is heated to 45 degrees in a microwave oven or in a water bath. The great advantages of warm wax are the gentle effect on the skin, high efficiency in the removal of fine and fine hairs.
- Hot wax depilation. It is carried out in the conditions of beauty salons, since it requires careful control over the temperature of the applied mixture. Heating occurs up to 55-60 degrees, therefore, with independent use, the risk of getting a thermal burn significantly increases. Hot depilation is rarely used on the face.
You can remove hairs yourself at home using the first and second methods. When using strips that have already been waxed, they are simply applied to the skin and then torn off.Warm wax is applied in a slightly different way. First, the mixture is applied to the skin, then a cloth or paper tape is applied over it. Then it breaks down with a sharp movement.
Ready-made strips are also different. They are usually made using a variety of substrates.
- Paper. The most budgetary option, usually measures 1x5 cm. Externally, the strips look like a plaster, are used 1 time, are not intended for repeated use.
- Textile. These strips can be sold in rolls or cut into separate lengths. There are completely ready-made options with wax, as well as suitable for depilation with a warm composition, just in the form of a base. Suitable for repeated use, fairly durable, hypoallergenic.
- Polymeric. Strips of this type are considered reusable. They can be pre-applied or used with warm wax. The polymer base can be easily cleaned with warm water and dried. Before reapplying the wax, it is additionally degreased.
When choosing products for facial waxing at home, you should pay attention to products in the form of strips or formulations with roller applicators. Such products are produced by the brands Byly Depil, Lady Caramel and other companies.
Hot compounds should be used only under the supervision of an experienced specialist, otherwise, instead of removing hairs, you can get a burn on your face.
How to do depilation correctly?
It is quite possible to remove unwanted hairs from the face with wax at home. In this case, you should use only branded formulations, including strips from well-known brands. Do not violate the manufacturer's recommendations: apply too cold or hot wax, keep it longer than the prescribed time.
If discomfort, burning, severe redness or swelling occurs, the product should be washed off immediately with warm water, cleansing the skin, and taking antihistamines.
Preparation
The preliminary stage is very important when waxing. Preparation consists in determining the areas for hair removal. Next, you need to perform a series of actions.
- Refuse tanning - natural or artificial. This is done 3-4 days before depilation.
- Scrub the skin. You need to remove dead cells 1-2 days before waxing.
- Make sure the hairs are long enough. For the cold method, they should reach 5 mm, for the warm one - 3 mm.
- Get an allergic reaction test. It is carried out for 1 day on a small area of the skin.
- Steam your face. This is done just before waxing.
- Apply anesthetic if sensitivity is present. This is done 30 minutes before the procedure.
- Degrease the skin. You can use a cosmetic lotion. Dry the surface of the depilated area with powder, talcum powder, dusting powder.
At the end of the preparatory stage, you can proceed directly to the removal of hairs. It is carried out with good lighting in the bathroom or at the cosmetic table.
Depilation
The easiest way to remove hairs from the face is with ready-made strips. Before the procedure, they are rubbed by hand, cut into strips of the desired size, if the product is sold in a roll. Sometimes manufacturers implement ready-made options for specific areas: wide - for the eyebrows, cheeks, chin, narrower - for the area above the upper lip. The optimal size should slightly overlap the area of the depilated area.
Further, the procedure will be as follows:
- the strips heated for 40-60 seconds in the palms are freed from the protective applicator;
- stick them on the skin in the direction coinciding with the line of hair growth;
- the strips need to be pressed tightly, smoothed, wait a few seconds;
- remove the tape with a sharp jerk - you need to act in the direction against the growth of hair;
- repeat as necessary.
When using warm wax in a tube or granules, it is pre-prepared by heating it to +45 degrees Celsius.In this case, the most convenient for use will be a product with a roll-on applicator. Dissolve granular wax, stirring, apply with a spatula, pressing on top with a cloth or polymer tape.
Until the composition cools and sets on the skin, it is kept for about 20 seconds.
The final stage
After waxing, the remnants of the product are removed from the face with cosmetic oil, warm water and soap. With a fat cream, you can remove the sticky sensation from the stripes.
Follow-up care
After depilation of the face with wax, some stickiness may remain on the skin. Rubbing these areas with a napkin with cosmetic oil will help remove discomfort. Then you need to apply a moisturizing, soothing cream that helps remove redness.
After that, a number of recommendations should be followed.
- Avoid thermal effects on the skin for 3 days. You should cancel trips to the bathhouse, sauna, solarium, give up steaming or prolonged exposure to the sun. Washings are carried out with cool or warm water.
- Use a high SPF cream before going outside. This will avoid sunburn and prevent the appearance of age spots.
- Apply moisturizers several times a day. A lightweight composition should be selected, possibly with a slight cooling effect.
The use of special creams will help to slow down the subsequent growth of facial hairs. Many cosmetic brands have such, including budget ones - Veet, Eveline.
Review overview
Opinion about facial waxing in women ranges from complete delight to rejection. Much here depends on experience, the choice of means. Owners of a light "gun" quite cope with the removal of excess hair using ready-made strips on a fabric or paper base. It is noted that redness persists for about 1 hour, regardless of the choice of the method of the procedure. Exposure to hot wax is recommended for those who decide to fight facial hair for the first time - in the salon, the master will be able to remove even a tough "beard" or mustache that has appeared as a result of hormonal changes.
Among the positive reviews, there are many opinions about the warm method of exposure. It is noted that it works no worse than the salon version; it is convenient to heat the mixture in a conventional microwave oven.
Customers recommend using products with rollers and special temperature testers for facial depilation. They are the most convenient and safest to apply. Warm wax works well for tough, coarse hairs that the strips may simply not pick up.
Films for warm depilation in granules are especially popular. They melt easily, stir without lumps, apply to the skin with a spatula. It is noted that in this case no additional applicators are required. The film can be easily removed while removing hairs.
There are also enough disadvantages. Cheap facial hair removal strips are often useless due to poor adhesion to the skin surface. The hypoallergenicity of the formulations is also questionable. Often, irritation remains much longer than 1 hour, there is a reaction to related components and fragrances.