There are a variety of options when it comes to hair removal, either for the face or other body parts; for example, shaving, plucking, waxing, and the use of hair removal products. Usually, when you talk of ease of hair removal and the longest time needed between hair removal sessions, it comes down to waxing vs. hair removal cream.
If you are trying to choose between the two and are still unconvinced as to which one will work best for you, below are some waxing vs. hair removal cream criteria to take into account:
Pain
Hair removal creams are virtually painless, unless you are particularly sensitive to the chemicals that they contain, which may cause burning or painful or itchy rashes. This is the reason why hair removal cream manufacturers will always instruct you to first test the cream on a small area of skin to test for any reactions to your skin.
Waxing is obviously the more painful method, but if you have hair removal cream allergies, waxing would probably be the best method for you.
Cost
If you regularly have waxing sessions in your spa or salon, it will be considerably more expensive than buying a tube of hair removal cream at the drugstore, to do it yourself at home. However, some waxing kits are also available in drugstores so you can do some personal waxing by yourself at home which will significantly reduce the cost of waxing.
Time between sessions
You’ve probably noticed that you need fewer waxing sessions than hair removal cream sessions. This is because waxing removes hair at the roots, thus taking more time for the hair to grow back—usually a month or so, depending on the individual.
Creams, on the other hand, melt off hair just below the surface of the skin, so although it will grow back slower than if you shave, it will still grow faster than waxing.
Chemical sensitivity
If you are particularly concerned about putting harsh chemicals on your skin, hair removal creams may not be for you. This is especially true of you tend to have allergic reactions to harsh chemicals, or if you have sensitive skin, which can be more prone to damage from chemicals that are usually present in hair removal creams. Waxing may be the best way to go for those with sensitive skin.
Skin discoloration
Since hair removal creams contain chemicals which may have the tendency to burn the skin, your skin may become more prone to discoloration or darkening. This does not usually happen with waxing, so if you are particularly concerned with skin darkening and are unsure of the effects of chemicals on your skin, it would be better to wax.
To put things into further perspective, below are the actual pros and cons of waxing vs. hair removal cream use:
Waxing is done by putting warm wax on a hairy bodily area, and then removing the wax in such a way that it pulls along with it the hairs from the root. This is the preferred method if you have thick, coarse and stubborn hair. These hairs are usually found on the legs, underarms, and the bikini area.
Depending on your hair type and thickness, it would take an average of three weeks before you see regrowth, and the regrowth will usually be on the thin to normal side.
However, in order for a waxing session to be effective, there should be an existing hair length of about a quarter of an inch. Otherwise, the wax will not have enough hair shafts to stick onto to be able to pull out the hairs effectively.
Also, waxing can be quite painful for some people, depending on their tolerance to pain. It may also cause ingrown hairs. Depending on your service provider, a typical salon waxing session can cost anywhere between 30-80 dollars.
For a smoother waxing session experience, remember that alcohol or caffeine intake is not advised as alcohol can tighten your skin pores and caffeine can increase your sensitivity to pain. Also, do some research on the type of wax your salon is using and be assured of their quality.
Hair removal creams usually use chemicals that weaken the follicles of your hair, allowing you to easily wipe it off your skin. The process removes hair just below the surface, resulting in a slower and smoother regrowth compared to shaving. This is relatively less painful, easy and fast compared to waxing, and is the popular choice for removing facial hair.
It can also be considered for other body parts such as underarms and bikini areas. It’s so quick and easy that you can actually do it yourself at home. However, if you have sensitive skin, the creams may have an irritating effect, and the smell is usually off-putting. One tube of the product can cost anywhere between 5 to 15 dollars.