Happy International Day of Waxing! So, you’ve decided to remove some of your body hair, now what? How long will your chosen method of hair removal last? Hair growth is affected by many things including genetics, hormones, and even certain medications. Therefore, each factor will determine how quickly your hair will grow back.

There are many different methods of hair removal. Though most will result in eventual hair regrowth, some options will stay smoother for longer. It’s important to find the method that is best for you! It is important to note, that body hair removal is always a personal choice.

What is Waxing?

If you thought that hair removal was a modern trend, you would be mistaken! The earliest evidence of hair removal dates all the way back to 3000 B.C. within Egyptian, Roman and Indian cultures. Waxing is a traditional method of hair removal, which involves removing the hair from the root, thus weakening the follicle, and discouraging new hair growth. Over time, the hair will grow back finer.

Waxing can be done at home or by a professional in a salon and once the hair has been removed it will take anywhere from 4-8 weeks to grow back. The speed and quantity of hair regrowth will vary depending on your hair type and growth rates.

Other Hair Removal Methods:

Shaving

Shaving differs from waxing in that it only removes hair that is visible above the surface level of your skin. This method lasts anywhere between a couple of days to a few weeks depending on your personal hair growth. Shaving is best for legs, arms, and facial hair, though it should be noted that shaving may cause ingrown hairs, especially in the pubic region. Shaving does not last as long as waxing.

Lasering

Lasering refers to a method of hair removal that uses a laser beam or light pulse to destroy hair at the bulb. One of the longest-lasting methods of hair removal, lasering can be quite expensive. Laser treatments need to be scheduled 4-6 weeks apart and require four or more treatments to be fully effective. Lasering is most effective on dark, coarse hair and must be done by a highly trained technician or doctor. 

Tweezing

Tweezing is the practice of pulling individual hairs out at the root and is done on a much smaller scale than waxing. It is an effective method for removing a few stray hairs at a time (for example, shaping your eyebrows) but tweezing can be painful and should not be used on a larger scale as it is tedious, time-consuming, and the misuse of tweezing can result in ingrown hairs or worse, scarring. 

Threading

Often used to remove hair from the face and brows, threading is a traditional Indian method of hair removal now offered at many salons by professionals. Strings of thread are twisted and used to remove hair at the root, lasting anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks, depending on where your hair was removed from and your personal growth patterns. 

What Areas Do Most People Wax and How Long Does it Last

The central inspiration behind IDoWAX is to remind everyone that body hair removal is always a personal choice. That being said, it’s typically done on the legs, bikini, brows, and underarms.

As with all hair removal methods, results from waxing will vary from person to person as hair growth is affected by many things, including but not limited to age, genetics and countless environmental factors. 

Your hair grows at different rates and textures all over your body. For example, the hair on your head has a regrowth cycle of anywhere between 2 to 6 years, whereas the hair on your arms and legs has a growth cycle of about 30 to 45 days! Because of these different cycles, you will notice that the hair on your eyebrows will grow back at a vastly different speed and rate than the hair removed from your legs – no matter the method you choose!  For most people, regrowth after waxing will occur within 4-8 weeks.

Tips to Slow Regrowth:

Want to slow the regrowth? The good news is waxing consistently will make your hair grow back slower and thinner! That means the more you wax, the less painful and longer lasting your results will be. 

Maintaining a waxing schedule to align with your hair regrowth cycle will keep you smoother longer and help to prevent prickly hair regrowth between waxes. Use an ingrown hair treatment regularly to help you get the most out of your hair removal routine.

Mark IDoWAX on your calendar and achieve consistently smooth skin with at-home waxing routine. Not sure where to start? Take a look at our posts for a complete guide!