Winter Waxing 101

Winter, admittedly, makes us lazy when it comes to hair removal (long pants make a perfect hiding place). But, beyond esthetics, there are several good reasons for staying smooth when the cold weather hits. We asked waxing pro and owner of Edmonton’s own Buff Wax Spot Sina Zere to tell us more, and give us her dos and don’ts for winter hair removal. —Vita Daily

Waxing versus other forms of hair removal: how does it measure up?

Waxing is one of the most ancient methods of hair removal. In fact, very little has changed from the time of Cleopatra with respect to wax ingredients. There’s a reason for that: it works! Waxing is the one of the most effective and affordable permanent hair reduction methods, especially compared to shaving. Shaving can cause irritation if your blade isn’t sharp enough and folliculitis if pieces of cut hair fall back into the pore. Laser is a great option for permanent hair reduction (which waxing also does) if you have the right skin type/hair colour combo. You need to be patient with laser as the results take a while to see and you may need touchups once your initial package has ended. If you’re interested in quick, affordable, and instantaneous hair removal services then waxing is a great option for you.

So many of us give up our hair-removal routines when the weather turns cold (guilty as charged!), but what are some of the reasons we should wax into winter?

When winter hits, we get into hibernation mode and basically stop doing the things we deem too glitzy-glam because no one can see our skin. But don’t forget just how confident and amazing a great wax makes you feel, every time! A regular wax routine also helps you stay hair-free for longer. Regular waxing decreases hair regrowth by telling that little hair follicle, “you’re not needed.” As a bonus, winter waxing removes all that yucky, itchy rough dead skin on the surface layer of the skin, leaving baby-soft, smooth skin that’s perfectly primed for moisture or a spray tan!

What about some of the winter skin-care benefits of waxing?

Waxing exfoliates the skin by removing dead skin, leaving a beautiful, healthy glow. If you tan during the colder months then exfoliating and moisturizing are absolutely essential for even results. Winter waxing is also the perfect time to grow out underarm or leg hair for your first wax. We get that it can be a no-go in the summer but it’s totally easy to do in the winter season when we’re bundled into pants and leggings. Starting to wax these areas in the winter also means you get a se-rious head start on starting summer with smooth, soft skin.

For those of us worried about the pain of waxing, what advice do you have?

Avoid getting waxed in the week leading up to your period and know that stress or emotional upheaval can increase your sensitivity to pain. Call ahead and ask if hard wax is used for face, under-arms and intimate waxing, where skin tends to be thinner and more sensitive to heat and pulling. When hard wax is removed, the skin stays perfectly intact so there’s no bruising, lifting or bleeding as can occur with strip wax. Intimate wax services are the most requested wax service worldwide and industry trends are moving toward the use of a combination of soft wax and hard wax. Ensure your wax establishment is doing the same. One note I’d like to make is that I strongly caution against the use of numbing creams because they alter your sensitivity to heat and you can perceive the wax as being hotter than it is (or you may be getting burned by too-hot wax and not know it).

At-home waxing versus going to a pro: what do you suggest?

This is a hairy issue for us (pun intended!). We see so many clients who tried a DIY wax at home and … catastrophe. Wax products available to the public are not professional-grade and in the wrong hands (read: everyone who isn’t trained to perform wax services) can lead to ripped, bruised and bleeding skin. There really are some potentially painful and dangerous consequences to waxes performed incorrectly. Also, do you really want to be the one to pull off your own wax strip? Save your bits and your time by getting waxed by a pro. They’ll have you in and out in a jiffy with smooth, soft skin and your sanity intact.

buffwaxspot.com