Does Waxing Reduce Hair Growth?

Waxing is one of the most popular and effective hair removal techniques out there, but does waxing reduce hair growth? The short answer is yes! Waxing can minimize hair growth, but there are a number of factors that contribute to this.

Best of all, you can take certain steps to make the most of your regular waxing routine. Today, we’re discussing how to encourage reduced hair growth through waxing.

How does waxing work?

Waxing eliminates unwanted hair by removing each shaft from the root. Here’s a closer look at the process: 

Type of wax used

There are two main types of wax that offer various benefits. Hard wax is a thick substance that hardens on the skin. It only adheres to hairs (not skin), making it great for sensitive skin and intimate areas. 

However, soft wax is thinner than hard wax and requires a strip to remove. It’s incredibly effective and removes dead skin cells along with unwanted hair on the face and body. It’s often used for larger treatment areas. 

Waxing treatment area

Your waxing specialist will adjust certain elements of your session based on your chosen treatment area, like Brazilian or bikini waxing. For instance, they might use hard wax to remove hair from your upper lip every two to four weeks and use soft wax to eliminate unwanted hair from your legs every three to five weeks.

Hair growth

Your unique genetic makeup, hormonal levels, and lifestyle habits may all impact the rate of hair growth. Before you can effectively wax, you’ll need to grow your hair to around a quarter-inch long. 

How does waxing reduce hair growth?

While waxing won’t leave you permanently bare, it can reduce future hair growth in a number of ways: 

Hair removal method

Shaving involves cutting hairs at the skin’s surface, leaving behind coarse strands that typically re-emerge as thick, prickly stubble within a day or two. On the other hand, waxing removes the entire hair from strand to root. Each hair must regenerate completely, buying you more time between waxing sessions and encouraging thinner, finer regrowth. 

Destroys the follicles 

It isn’t uncommon to experience a reduction in new hair growth after a few waxing sessions. One main reason this occurs is damage to the follicles, which inhibits the generation of new hairs. Over time, the density of hair in the treatment area will thin. 

Disrupts growth cycles

Many people notice new hairs growing out of their freshly waxed skin within a few days of their first treatment. While this can feel discouraging, it’s an issue you can fix with a consistent routine.

Wax can’t remove hair that hasn’t emerged from the skin, and since hair growth cycles vary, you won’t get all active strands in one session. So, a regular waxing schedule encourages hair growth cycles to sync, giving you silky-smooth skin for longer in between treatments. 

How to make waxing last longer

Genetic and hormonal factors can affect the frequency of your waxing sessions, but you can extend the duration of your results in several ways:

Prep before your appointment

Gently exfoliate the treatment area about 24 hours before your waxing appointment to eliminate dead skin cells and encourage the wax to adhere tightly to each shaft. Avoid using moisturizer and other topical products on the morning of your wax. Deodorant can also interfere with underarm waxes, so arrive with clean, bare skin. 

Avoid shaving between sessions

Shaving between waxing sessions can have a number of adverse effects. First, it can make your next session less effective, as certain strands may enter a dormant phase and fail to grow long enough for wax to reach.

A shave can also increase the risk of ingrown hairs. Additionally, you should avoid plucking and tweezing to encourage growth cycles to sync and get the most out of your next appointment. 

Practice proper aftercare

After your wax, avoid heat, friction, and harsh skincare products until your skin has healed completely. You can use a cool compress to relieve inflammation and soothe itchy skin. Be sure to drink plenty of water and hydrate the area with a gentle moisturizer. 

Stay consistent

The real changes begin when you embrace a consistent waxing schedule. Hair growth in regularly treated areas slows down, and some follicles stop producing strands altogether. As your growth cycles begin to sync, you’ll enjoy smooth, supple skin for weeks at a time. 

Start your journey to long-lasting hair removal at Vian Aesthetics!

At Vian Aesthetics, we’re passionate about helping our clients achieve balance in both outward beauty and inner serenity. If you’re ready to boost your confidence, shake off stress, and embrace a holistic approach to wellness, we’re here to help.

Contact us today to learn more about our services, or book an appointment online to get started!