If you’re contemplating making the switch from shaving to waxing your underarms, you have a few things to consider. You’ll likely find that the results and longevity of waxing your underarms make it the clear winner. Here’s what to know about waxing, what to do to prepare before getting your underarms waxed, and what to expect during your appointment.
Is Waxing Your Underarms Better Than Shaving Your Underarms?
The debate of waxing versus shaving will always come down to personal preference. Many people who choose to wax do so because they feel the benefits of waxing make their daily routines easier. They prefer the results and find that it’s worth making an appointment every few weeks to experience the benefits.
Longer Lasting Results
Depending on the rate of your hair growth, you might need to shave your underarms several times a week. The results of waxing can last as long as six weeks without the need for touch-ups. Waxing can save you a lot of time in the long run by eliminating a personal grooming task from your daily self-care to-do list.
A Smoother Underarm
Shaving cuts the top of each hair, leaving behind the blunt shaft of the hair just below the surface of the skin. As the hair grows, the blunt tip raises to the surface. This causes prickly stubble that some people find uncomfortable.
Waxing removes the hair from the root. When it grows back, it will grow with a naturally softer tapered tip. The visible portion of the hair will be thinner, softer, and less noticeable than a blunt-cut shaved hair.
Less Risk For Cuts, Nicks, And Scrapes
Your underarm can be a difficult area to shave. You need a very sharp blade and a lot of precision to properly follow the contour of the area. If you’re prone to cuts, nicks, and scrapes, you know how uncomfortable it can be to get one in your underarm. Your arm will rub against the nick all day. It may sting when you apply antiperspirant on a fresh shaving cut. You never have to worry about that problem when you opt to wax instead.
Reducing Darkness Or Discoloration
Shaving is irritating to the skin. The combination of irritation and dead skin cells can lead to underarm darkness, which can be difficult to correct. Many people feel self-conscious about visible underarm darkness when wearing tank tops.
Waxing removes hair and dead skin cells with a single pass, and the results last for a long time. People who frequently experience underarm darkness find that waxing significantly reduces the issue or lightens the appearance of dark spots.
Does Waxing Your Underarms Hurt?
Discomfort can be a limiting factor for some people. Waxing is often characterized in pop culture as something that’s comically painful. While waxing can cause discomfort, it’s over rather quickly. Your underarm is a very small area, and an expert aesthetician can complete the process in just a few short minutes. The discomfort is over as soon as the wax is pulled off.
If you’re still a little worried, you can try a pre-wax numbing cream with lidocaine. If you apply the cream to your underarm about an hour before the appointment, you’ll be mostly numb on the surface of your skin by the time your aesthetician is ready to wax the area. You might feel slight discomfort, but the numbing cream will go a long way in taking the edge off.
How To Prepare For Your Waxing Appointment
You need to let your underarm hair grow out just a little bit before your waxing appointment. If the hair is too short, the wax won’t be able to grab hold of the hair shaft and form a bond. This can make the waxing process difficult for your aesthetician and more comfortable for you. Aim for about ¼ inch of hair growth.
Don’t use any underarm products like deodorant before your appointment. Residue from these products can prevent the wax from sticking. Nobody wants to be rude to their esthetician and present them with an unpleasant smell, so plan your day accordingly. Don’t go to the gym before your appointment. You can shower first if you have time, or you can wash your underarm area with warm water and a mild antibacterial soap prior to your appointment.
Make sure to arrive at your appointment on time. This little piece of etiquette ensures that everyone else can be seen at their scheduled appointment time. If you’re fifteen minutes late, the person scheduled after you will need to wait fifteen minutes longer to be seen. If you don’t think you’ll make it on time, give your esthetician a courtesy call or reschedule your appointment.
What To Expect At Your Waxing Appointment
Your esthetician will begin by cleaning and prepping the skin in your underarm area. Then, they will apply long swaths of wax to your underarm in the direction of your hair growth. When the wax has hardened, they’ll swiftly pull the strip and take the hair along with it. This only lasts a second or two. Then, they’ll move on to the next area and begin the process again.
After your waxing, your esthetician will apply a soothing treatment to reduce post-waxing irritation. The area may be slightly pink, but it will go back to normal within an hour or so. It’s a natural reaction caused by increased blood flow to the area, and it will naturally resolve itself within a few hours.
How Often Do I Need To Have My Underarms Waxed?
You may not know how often to schedule your waxing appointments until after you’ve had your first one. Your underarms will be ready to wax again when the hair growth reaches ¼ inch. This can be as little as 3 weeks for some people. Others may find it takes 6 weeks for their hair to grow back. Most people will fall somewhere in the middle, so they schedule monthly wax appointments.
Book An Underarm Waxing Appointment
If you’re ready to give underarm waxing a try, the expert aestheticians at Greentoes in Tucson are always here for you. We offer a full array of waxing services, and we’re always here to answer any questions you may have about the process. You can book online or by phone when you’re ready for soft, smooth underarms.