Tweezers

Waxing is performed by first spreading a thin gel-like substance of the skin. Typically a cloth strip is pressed on the top and then ripped off with a quick movement, removing the was along with the hair and dead skin cells. This leaves the skin tender but smooth.


Hot waxes melt just above body temperature, so they can easily be spread over the skin. As they harden, they trap the hair in the wax so it is removed by the roots when the wax is ripped off. Cold waxes come in precoated strips which can be pressed directly onto the skin. the hair sticks to the wax and is then removed with a quick pull-back action. Cold waxing is also known as Persian waxing.

This ripping action causes the skin to sting. As dead skin cells are removed, the skin feels very tender and smooth afterwards. Many people find a soothing skin healing cream to be helpful afterwards. Some individual's skin reacts to waxing with redness and bumps. These typically disappear after a few hours.

Waxing is not recommended for persons suffering from diabetes, or who have varicose veins or poor circulation, as they are more susceptible to infection. Users of acne medications are also not recommended to use waxing on the face, as these medications weaken the skin and could contribute to skin tearing when the wax is removed.

Waxing should also not be done on areas affected by warts, pimples, moles, or rashes; or on skin that is irritated, chapped, or suffering from sunburn. It should never be applied to peeling, broken skin, varicose veins, the nipple areas, male genitals, inside the ears and nose, and eyelashes.

Due to the ripping nature of the hair removal, waxing can be quite painful. Similar to ripping off a band-aid, only much worse. Hair usually appears again after 2-4 weeks.