How To Use Soft Wax

Whether you're a dice-hard fan or a novice, waxing is one of the most popular methods of hair removal, and for good reason. Minimal pain bated (depending who you enquire), waxing offers ultra-smooth, long-lasting results. But equally with most dazzler treatments, yous've got options when it comes to ridding unwanted hair with wax. There'southward hard wax and soft wax—both of which take the same goal of removing pilus from the follicle—merely they vary slightly in their method. Unlike soft wax, which requires strips for removal, hard wax hardens on its own and doesn't crave strips (re: automated bonus points for existence less messy). We know that pros and at-abode waxers alike laud hard wax vs. soft wax for pilus removal, just we're eager to wrack our brain on why.

We decided to delve deeper into hard wax and learn exactly what the benefits are, as well equally how and when to utilize it. Below, European Wax Center'due south Gina Petak and board-certified dermatologist Shari Sperling give the states the intel on how to get the nearly comfortable wax.

Run into the Good

Gina Petak is the education manager at European Wax Center.
Shari Sperling is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical, cosmetic, laser and surgical dermatology.

Read on to larn all there is to know about using hard wax for pilus removal, from how it works to the best at-home kits.

What Is Difficult Wax?

Hard wax is a blazon of wax that adheres to the hair follicle (versus the skin) and hardens and removes on its ain, eliminating the demand for newspaper strips. According to Petak, because the wax sticks to the hair, this allows certain areas to exist waxed multiple times to ensure all hair is removed without dissentious or irritating the skin. "[Old-school honey waxes remove] the showtime layer of skin forth with the hair, which means you can't get over the surface area multiple times and tin can leave devious hair backside," explains Petak. "If you find your skin beingness more cherry subsequently a wax using paper strips, it's considering of the removal of the outset layer of skin. Information technology's ofttimes said that hard wax is a much less painful experience than soft wax for all parts of the body." That said, there are soft waxes that contain glyceryl rosinate, which is meant to act every bit a buffer to attach to the hair just.

The Benefits of Hard Wax

Hard wax has a multitude of benefits. For one, information technology'south gentler on the skin: "Hard wax is adept for people with sensitive pare, as it is practical as a thicker layer and is removed without a strip," says Sperling. "Information technology tends to exist a little less painful and improve for smaller, frail areas of the torso." Information technology also removes hair cleanly from the root, and doesn't get out a gummy mess behind. Petak says that when it comes to soft wax, you lot run the risk of having wax residuum left on the skin, but since hard wax dries on its ain, it'due south much easier to remove and therefore much cleaner. Then, there's the results. "Waxing removes hair from the root so results concluding about three-four weeks," says Petak.

The Drawbacks

There aren't many drawbacks to hard wax, other than a possible pare allergy. "Y'all should always patch test new products to ensure you don't take an allergy," advises Sperling, adding that at-home treatments tin can cause injury like burns or extensive exfoliation and tearing of the pare if not done correctly. Too, for larger areas similar the (legs and back), soft wax is recommended, as hard wax can break off easily.

How to Utilise Difficult Wax to Remove Hair

Here'south how to become rid of unwanted body or facial hair using hard wax.

Cleanse the expanse to remove whatever clay, makeup, oil, and lotions.
Employ a pre-wax oil to protect the peel and create a barrier between the skin and the wax.
Oestrus the difficult wax in a wax warmer or microwave, stirring it slightly to absurd information technology down.
Using a stick and pressure, apply the wax in the aforementioned direction of hair growth to try to avoid breakage. Brand sure to create a lip at the end (using calorie-free pressure level) to have something to hold on to while removing.
Wait for the wax to harden (this usually takes about five minutes).

Pull the wax off in the opposite direction of hair growth. Repeat on all desired areas.
Apply an ingrown serum once hair is removed.

Difficult wax needs to be warm and pliable (but non hot) to work. If using a wax warmer, the platonic temperature is 130 degrees Fahrenheit, and information technology should exist a like consistency to honey.

When to Utilize Hard Wax vs. Soft Wax

Hard wax is typically used for bikini and Brazilian waxes, as it works well on coarse pilus and smaller sections. As well, since it shrink-wraps the hair, it's oftentimes gentler on frail facial skin—nose included—and can remove any curt noticeable pilus.

Difficult wax isn't the solution to everything, though. While it tin can be used on smaller areas, many observe it more efficient to utilise strips on larger areas like the legs or chest. Soft wax is as well preferred for a practise-it-yourself full pubic pilus removal, every bit it's slap-up for cleaning up your ain bikini line (the pilus outside a normal panty line). For anything more than, like a Brazilian, let the pros exercise the work with difficult wax.

Shop the Best At-Abode Wax Kits

Below, detect our top picks for at-home waxing kits.

Wakse Rose Gold Hard Wax Beans $26.00

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Infused with chocolate-scented essential oils, this calming stripless wax is as Instagram-worthy equally it is effective at delivering smooth peel.

VidaSleek Difficult Wax Kit: Confront, Underarms & Bikini $14.00

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Found-based chlorophyll—which promises to target inflammation and breakouts—is the hero ingredient in this hard wax formula, which comes in a kit ideal for small areas like the bikini, face, and underarms.

GiGi Brazilian Hair Removal Waxing Kit $l.00

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If you're looking for a do-it-all kit, yous've constitute it in this ane past GiGi—it features a wax warmer, pre-wax oil, mail service-wax cooling gel, applicators, and a vitamin-rich Brazilian hard wax formula.