The 9 Benefits of Waxing. Number 6 Will Shock You!

waxing is better than shaving

Spa waxing services have been around as part of beauty, personal hygiene and grooming practices for centuries all the way back to the times of ancient civilizations. Waxing treatments offer various methods for getting rid of unwanted hair from the body, which provides clients with smooth and hair-free skin. Continue reading to learn more about the history of waxing and where it comes from, its benefits, and different spa waxing services that are available in general and at ZZ Day Spa.

The history of waxing

The practice of hair removal dates back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece, and Rome. It started with the ancient Egyptians, when body hair was considered to be “improper” during this era for both women and men. People of the upper class would usually be completely hairless. The ancient Egyptians did not have the waxing tools we have today, so they would use their own inventions such as beeswax and a sugaring method, and for tweezers, they used seashells. The people of the Roman Empire practiced waxing roughly around the same time as the ancient Egyptians and chose to remove body hair for similar reasons. Sculptures and paintings of women that we see today in museums are shown to be completely hairless most likely as a result of the trend.

During the Middle Ages, hair removal was still fairly common, but it was practiced more for one’s face rather than for their bodies. Women would even heavily wax their eyebrows because a large forehead was considered to be a desirable trait. This was a look created by Queen Elizabeth I as she was the one who set the standard for female hair removal and fashion trends at the time. 

In the 1700s, European and American women were not as concerned with hair removal. In 1760, French barber Jean Jacques Perret invented the first straight razor, which was mostly used by men along with some women. In the 1800s, specifically 1844, the first depilatory cream (meaning it removes unwanted hair) known as Poudre Subtile was invented. In 1880, the first modern razor was invented and was exclusively marketed towards men. A woman’s razor would not be invented until around 30 years later in 1915. The first razor marketed towards women, known as the Milady Decolletée, was brought to the market by Gillette. During the early 1900s, depilatory cream began to be marketed to the general public. During this time, the standard practice was for people to remove hair on their face, neck, and arms. The first ad to feature bare underarms was run in a women’s magazine ten years later.

During the middle of the 20th century, the first electric razor for women was released in 1940 by Remington after successfully launching a male version. The popularity of leg hair removal rapidly increased as there was a shortage of nylon as a result of World War II, so many women had to skip stockings and go bare-legged way more often. In the 1950s, hair removal became more widely accepted. Depilatory creams were very irritating to skin which in turn made people use them less, but fortunately there were many more options available for hair removal at this time such as shaving and plucking. This made shaving underarms and legs as well as plucking eyebrows more even more bearable. 

Waxing and its beauty trends have undergone many changes throughout the centuries and even through the past decades. Now, since the 1960s up to the present, we have seen the debut of waxing strips, and it has become one of the most popular and practiced beauty routines among all classes due to its ease and effectiveness. It has also become more popular as a result of the new fashion trends emerging that show more skin. Women most commonly remove their leg and underarm hair, but there are now many options for bikini waxes as well, including the Brazilian wax. This is known as a “Brazilian wax” not because it originated in Brazil, but because of the bikinis worn by people that are often worn on Brazilian beaches. Men also receive Brazilian waxes, and they also commonly receive waxing in other body parts, including their chests and backs. Overall, waxing has socially become largely optional, as society has now embraced people being comfortable with who they are and how they choose to express themselves–people are all about challenging stereotypes. 

We have also seen a chance in grooming trends. We have more hygienic and advanced tools for waxing and aftercare, and there are a ton of trends thanks to modern technology and the desire to emulate celebrities and their beauty and lifestyle preferences. One week someone might want to opt for the Brazilian wax, whereas the next week they might want a more natural look. Today, there are hundreds of salons and businesses that are dedicated to the craft of waxing and hair removal and helping you achieve the look you desire.

The 8 benefits of waxing

In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards spa waxing. There are several benefits as to why waxing, especially at a professional spa (versus doing it yourself at home), is advantageous. 

  1. Getting waxing done professionally will greatly decrease the risk of injury. When visiting a spa for waxing, individuals have the opportunity to be treated by skilled estheticians who are trained to provide high-quality waxing services. These professionals have a thorough understanding of the hair growth cycle, skin types, and the most effective techniques for hair removal. They can customize the waxing process to suit the specific needs of each client, thus ensuring a more comfortable and effective experience. Additionally, estheticians have access to professional-grade waxing products that are not typically available for at-home use. These products are designed to minimize discomfort and irritation while delivering superior results. This can be more expensive than getting it done at home, but the benefits of getting it done professionally significantly outweigh the costs.

  2. Waxing is less irritating than other hair removal methods. Epilation, hair removal gels and creams commonly cause more irritation to the skin than waxing. While you may experience redness post-wax, it usually goes away fairly quickly and you will get more used to it as you continue to receive waxing services.

  3. Waxing produces better results than shaving. If you desire unwanted hair gone and for a long period of time (and not just gone for one day to simply feel prickly stubble the next), then waxing is the option for you. This is because shaving simply gets rid of the surface layer of hair, thus leaving the follicle intact.

  4. You feel smoother for longer because the more you wax, the longer it takes for hair to grow as waxing deadens the hair follicle. Hair regrowth is much slower post-wax. FYI after one wax appointment, you will need to schedule the next one about four to six weeks out, so that should give you a better time frame of how long a waxing service can last.

  5. Once you start waxing, you do not have to shave anymore. Shaving is not actually recommended between wax appointments, so even if you have the urge, don’t do it and throw the razor away. Speaking of razors, waxing is better for you as it eliminates the concern for nicks, cuts or razor burns often associated with shaving.

  6. When you get a waxing treatment, your skin becomes exfoliated and the overall skin texture of the area will be improved. When wax is applied and stripped off, the outer layer of skin—and any dead, flaky skin cells—is removed along with the wax. 

  7. Waxing promotes less ingrown hairs. When you wax, your skin is pulled tightly and the wax or cloth is pulled quickly. This allows for an accurate, less painful process (particularly if you book at a wax salon) and lessens the chance of ingrown hairs.

  8. The more you continue to wax, the better chance that your hair during regrowth will become finer, softer and lighter (not rough or coarse). Once you start your wax routine, that awful feeling of leg stubble a day after you shave will be gone for good. 

  9. Spa waxing offers several benefits that contribute to an overall sense of well-being and confidence. The experience of being pampered and attended to by skilled professionals can be deeply satisfying and uplifting, thus boosting self-esteem and body positivity. Additionally, the smooth and soft skin that results from spa waxing can enhance one's sense of self-image and physical comfort. This can have a positive impact on individual confidence and self-expression, which allows individuals to feel more comfortable and confident in their own skin. In this way, spa waxing goes beyond mere hair removal and becomes a holistic and empowering experience that fosters a positive relationship with one's body and image.

Different waxing services to receive

Now that we have explored the history of waxing along with the benefits of a spa waxing service, it’s time to explore the best spa waxing services to leave your skin feeling super silky smooth. ZZ Day Spa also offers many different waxing services on their website.

1. Bikini Waxing: This method involves the removal of hair from the pelvic area and is one of the most popular spa waxing services.The wax may be hot or cold depending on where you receive the service but in general it pulls the hair out of the follicle as the wax is quickly removed from the skin, usually with a strip of cloth.

2. Brazilian Waxing: Brazilian waxing removes most or all hair from the pelvic region, thus leaving the skin smooth and hair-free.

3. Leg Waxing: Leg waxing is a common method for removing hair from the legs, thus offering a longer-lasting solution compared to shaving.

4. Arm Waxing: This method targets the hair on the arms, thus providing a smooth and hair-free appearance.

5. Back Waxing: Back waxing is popular among both men and women, as it removes hair from the back and shoulders, offering a clean and polished look.

6. Chest Waxing: This service targets the removal of hair from the chest, thus providing a smooth and hair-free aesthetic.

7. Underarm Waxing: Underarm waxing involves the removal of hair from the underarms, thus offering a longer-lasting method of hair removal compared to shaving.

8. Face Waxing: This service targets the removal of facial hair, including the eyebrows, upper lip, and chin, thus providing a smooth and hair-free appearance.

9. Eyebrow Waxing: Eyebrow waxing is a popular method for shaping and defining the eyebrows, thus providing a clean and polished look.

10. Nose Waxing: This method involves the removal of hair from the nostrils, thus offering a solution for those seeking a hair-free appearance in that area.

11. Ear Waxing: Ear waxing targets the removal of hair from the ears, thus providing a polished and groomed look.

12. Full Body Waxing: Full body waxing offers a comprehensive hair removal solution, thus targeting hair on various body parts for a smooth and hair-free aesthetic.

Conclusion

The journey of spa waxing from historical times to modern day has positioned this type of service as a preferred choice for individuals seeking effective and enriching hair removal experiences. Its combination of expertise, ambiance, and results makes it a compelling alternative to at-home waxing or shaving. The expertise of skilled estheticians, the luxurious spa environment, and the use of professional-grade products and tools all contribute to an enhanced waxing experience. As the field of spa waxing continues to evolve, it is likely to embrace sustainable practices, technological innovations, and inclusive values that resonate with the needs and values of consumers. The practical and personal benefits of spa waxing make it a compelling choice for those seeking an effective and enjoyable hair removal experience. The convenience, long-lasting results, and emotional well-being provided by spa waxing outweigh many of the potential drawbacks. Overall, you will feel more confident, comfortable, and pleased. Consider booking a wax treatment today and come see what the experience is all about.

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