As you prepare to remove your hair, your brain may be thinking about things like how much hair you want to remove and how much damage it will cause. Did you know that there are several types of wax used for hair removal? Not just two or three, but seven. Now the more important question is – are you using the right one?
1. Two main types of wax
There are two main types of wax: hard wax and soft wax.
- A hard wax is a wax that hardens on contact with the skin. It is usually heated and then applied to the treatment area, where it adheres to the hair rather than the skin until removed. While you can use tape to remove the wax, it’s not necessary. This is commonly used in salons.
- Soft wax refers to thinner wax that is soft to the touch and needs to be removed with a strip. It is commonly used for home waxing strips and does not require preheating before use. But unlike hard wax, it sticks to hair and skin, which means it’s more likely to cause irritation.
These are the two main umbrellas for wax, but there are actually many more types. Think sugared (is this a wax too?), or the lesser-known cold wax. There are many factors to consider, and some may be better suited than others for your skin type, pain tolerance, and needs.
2. 7 hair removal waxes used by estheticians
Here are the seven types of hair removal wax most commonly used by estheticians.
1) Warm soft wax
Soft warm wax is cream or resin-based and is used for strip waxing. Warm it gently and apply a thin layer to your skin. Press the strip on and remove it, taking the hair with it. Spreadable wax is often used to cover larger areas, such as legs and arms. While it’s very effective at removing even the finest hairs, soft wax can also stick to the skin, so only use it once per area to avoid irritation.
“Cream-based warm waxes are gentler on the skin,” explains California esthetician Jodi Shays. “Honey/resin-based hot waxes are considered old school and can be too hot and sticky, which can irritate the skin. However, there are many skilled estheticians who can still provide great waxes with honey/resin-based waxes.” Shays doesn’t recommend using honey or resin products on sensitive skin as they “may be too hot, sticky and abrasive”.
2) Warm hard wax
Hard wax is an effective option for both areas with thicker hair and fine, sparse hair. The wax is applied when heated and hardens as it cools. It is also called stripless wax because in its hardened state, it resembles strips on its own. After cleansing, a small amount of pre-epilation oil is usually applied to the skin to protect it from wax. After the wax is heated to a spreadable state, Sheth explains, it “hardens into a flexible material that is pulled off by a ‘lip’ created by the provider.”
Hard wax is applied in a thicker layer than soft wax, and also in the direction of hair growth – an important detail. “Pulling hair in the wrong direction can cause hair breakage and ingrown hairs,” warns Petak. When the wax hardens, the wax grabs the hair in a shrink-wrap manner rather than sticking to the skin like soft wax. This makes it better suited for smaller, more sensitive areas like lips, nose, underarms, and bikini areas. When used on larger areas such as the legs, “it can cause hair breakage at the end of the pull,” Sheth explains.
Its gentle nature is great for people with sensitive skin, but may not be enough to grab the hair on the bulb, meaning you may need to wipe a single area multiple times. “Cheaper hard wax varieties may become brittle and inflexible as they cool,” Shays says, which can create a mess and inefficient waxing. So if you plan on waxing yourself, make sure you buy a high-quality wax,
3) Cold soft wax
Cold soft wax can usually be purchased in cans or pre-made waxing strips. For products that come in jars or jars, you just need a craft stick to scoop it out and apply it directly to your skin.
The benefit of this wax is that it avoids the risk of burning your skin, a potential disadvantage of using hard wax. That being said, it can be difficult to apply an even layer, and because it also sticks to the skin, it can cause irritation if you apply it to the same area multiple times.
4) Premade wax strips
Pre-made wax strips come with just the right amount of cold soft wax and are ready to use, with no heating required. This method is the most user-friendly and clutter-free option and is great for beginners as there is no opportunity to place too many products. Although not required, it is recommended to rub the wax strips between your palms to “warm” them a little so they stick to the hair more. This step may also be necessary to separate the wax strips from each other.
Cold rolled strip requires minimal preparation and fewer moving parts throughout the operation, making it by far the most convenient travel option. As with any cold wax, there is no risk of burning the skin. Shays recommends using pre-made strips for smaller areas because they are not as easy to apply as hot wax.
5) Fruit wax
Although not very common, fruit wax actually has many skin care benefits due to its natural exfoliating and nourishing properties. For example, exfoliating fruit enzymes gently removes bumpy texture, while extracts from fruits like plums, papayas, and strawberries are rich in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and brightening properties. Fruit wax has so many benefits that it almost acts as a skincare product.
Fruit Wax falls under the hard wax umbrella, which means you don’t need to use strips to remove it after use. What’s more, it’s safe to use even on super-sensitive skin. (However, we still recommend patch testing, just in case.)
6) Sugar wax
Sugar waxing is one of the oldest known methods of waxing and originated in the Middle East. It’s also one of the most natural and simplest recipes, usually consisting of some combination of sugar, lemon, and hot water. “Sugared isn’t wax: It’s a form of hair remover, but without the same base,” Sheth explains. Technically, wax or not, there’s a reason this method of hair removal has been around for centuries.
It is very gentle compared to other waxes, making it ideal for sensitive and reactive skin. Sugar wax works much like hard wax in that it grabs the hair without sticking to the skin. This type of formula allows multiple applications to an area without the irritation caused by soft wax. Sugar wax can be a sticky ball applied with your fingers or a soft wax used with strips. Because it can move easily, sugaring can remove hair from large or small areas of the body, however, it is most effective for fine to medium hair types.
Unlike resin-based hard or soft waxes, sugar wax is water-soluble, which makes cleaning easier. This will also result in fewer ingrown hairs because the product won’t get stuck in open hair follicles, preventing hair from regrowing.
Tip: Apply sugar wax the opposite way of traditional wax: against the grain, then remove with the grain.
7) Chocolate wax
Chocolate wax is gentle on the skin and is known as one of the least painful types of wax. It’s moisturizing and rich in soothing and nourishing ingredients like almond oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, glycerin, vitamin E, and other minerals. Cocoa itself is rich in antioxidants and acts as an emollient for the wax. Almond oil has anti-inflammatory properties – a benefit that is much appreciated when hair is pulled out of the hair follicle.
Main ingredients: Almond oil is a moisturizer, rich in vitamin D, vitamin E, and various minerals. It helps soothe skin from irritation and protects skin from harmful UV radiation.
Chocolate wax can be soft or hard, but it should always be applied while warm. It has a lower melting point, so it is less likely to cause burns. This luxury experience comes with a hefty price tag, but for many, the glowing skin and spa-like pampering are worth it.
3. Conclusion
The above are the seven types of beeswax commonly used by beauticians compiled by Auperwel for you. After reading this article, you can choose the beeswax that suits you based on your actual situation. If you have any other questions about hair removal, you are welcome to contact us at any time.