Should I Get a Waxing or Shaving?

Summer is at the corner, which mean it’s time to dress up in breezy camis, off-the-shoulder tops and beach-ready swimsuits. To appear confident in summer outfits, it’s important for us, ladies to get our body completely smooth and hair-free. 

You’ve likely asked yourself: “Show I wax? Or should I shave?”. When it comes to which method is better, well, that depends on a number of factors and which you deem more important that others. 

Keep on reading to find out the pros and cons of waxing and shaving.  

Waxing

Waxing is a method that involves warm wax to remove the hair follicle from the root by mechanical force. Waxing can be done at home, or in a spa performed by a licensed beautician. Waxing is suitable for removing women and men’ facial and body hairs. 

Pros

1. Hair grows back slower, sparser, and thinner: Since the hair is removed completely from the root, the hair takes longer to regrow. Waxing can last between two-four weeks before regrowth happens. And when it happens, hair grows back sparser, thinner and finer, which feels so much softer on the skin than shaving.
2. Avoid in-grown hairs: shaving could lead to the emergence of in-grown hairs. This is because the razor can alter the hair’s growth direction which traps the hair under the skin. If you cannot bear the irritated feelings of in-grown hairs that shaving gives, then waxing is perfect for you. 
3. Avoid hyperpigmentation: hyperpigmentation is a condition in which certain areas of the skin become noticeably darker than the surrounding areas. This condition can appear on the skin after shaving. However, it you get a wax treatment, you’ll never have to worry about this problem. 
4. Avoid razor-cuts: with shaving, there’s a potential of cutting yourself with the razor blade. This inconvenient problem is completely avoidable with waxing. 
5. Smoother skin: compared to shaving, waxing exfoliates more of your skin while removing the hairs. Waxing helps pull off dead skin, which leave behind smoother hair-free surface. 
6. Waxing is quick: Waxing is a fairly quick process, which takes 10-20 minutes per session based on the area getting treated. 

Cons 

1. It’s painful (but only in the first few appointments): everyone has to admit that getting their first few waxes wasn’t a pleasant experience. However, the pain level tends to decrease after continuous sessions and is something most people can compensate for the benefits that waxing offers. 
2. Can cause redness and itchiness: redness and itchiness normally appear on the skin being treated right after the wax treatment. Redness normally occurs because the application of warm wax increases blood circulation to the treated area. Irritation usually occurs because waxing causes mild inflammation of the hair follicles. However, experiences tell us that these side effects are stress-free, since they only last for only a few hours after the treatment.

Shaving 

Different from waxing, shaving is the process that requires a razor blade to trim the hair from the skin’s surface, but not from the root. Shaving can be done at home, mostly in the shower. Shaving is often the lifesaver choice in times of emergence, for example when you need to attend a party in the evening but realise that all of nearby beauty salons are closed. 

Pros

1. Shaving is quick: shaving is a quicker process than waxing, which takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on the area getting treated.
2. It’s super easy: Shaving is the easiest way to remove hair without the help of a licensed beauticians. Simply apply shaving cream on the area getting treatment, and then slide the razor in the direction that hair grows. 
3. Shaving is affordable: razors and shaving cream are very inexpensive. Razors and shaving cream could also be reused multiple times before the next replacement/refill, making shaving even more cost-effective in the long-term, as compared to waxing. 
4. There’s no pain (but not necessarily): with shaving, hair isn’t removed from the follicle, therefore, you should’t experience any pain. However, there’s a potential of accidental cuts caused blades that are too sharp. These cuts could lead to unattractive scabs or infections. 

Cons 

1. It leaves in-grown hairs: ingrown hairs re inevitable if you choose to shave. In-grown hairs can lead to on-going irritation, skin darkening (hyperpigmentation), bacterial infection (from scratching) or pseudofolliculitis barbae (also known as razor bumps). 
2. Hair grows back quickly: With shaving, hair isn’t removed from the root. This is why hair often spring up only after a few days from the latest shave. 
3. Can easily irritate skin: Continuous shaving can cause irritation and bumps, especially in sensitive areas. If you razor isn’t sanitised and switched out frequently, you’ll be more likely to experience irritation. 
4. Razor cuts:  Like said, with shaving, if the blade is too sharp or you’re shaving too fast, you can end up accidentally cutting yourself.

Now that we’ve gone over the pros and cons of waxing and shaving, you can decide which option best fits your needs and lifestyle. 

At The Nail Bar, we provide professional facial and body waxing for a long-lasting smooth finish, that is suitable for both women and men. If that sounds like what you need, then CONTACT US or BOOK NOW a one-on-one appointment with one of our skilled beautician.