Waxing v.s Shaving
It’s the eternal struggle of hair removal — the debate between shaving and waxing.
People of all ages shave and wax to create smooth, hair-free legs, armpits, faces and bikini lines. Even hairless chests and backs are goals for some. Whether you want hairless skin for aesthetic purposes or because you’re an Olympic swimmer, the key is knowing the safest way to do it.
So, what’s easier and better for your skin? While waxing and shaving achieve the same goal, a shave with a razor will simply trim your hair, while a waxing treatment will pull the entire hair strand — root and all — out of the follicle.
Choosing between the two can come down to a couple things. Let’s take a look at some pro’s and con’s.
Shaving Pros
Often considered faster and easier. Shaving can be done at home as part of your daily shower or bath.
Unless your hand slips or you accidentally use a dull razor, this is a painless process.
Hair can be any length to shave — whether it’s grown out or is barely poking above your skin.
Whether you’ve been shaving for decades or recently started a shaving routine, it’s good to know some of the risks involved. You want to stay sharp when dealing with any kind of blade, after all.
Some cons of shaving include:
Shaving Cons
Shaving can cause inflammation, itching, and/or razor burn. Hence why it is important not to use a dull blade or reuse a razor blade too many times.
Results last 1-3 days before hair starts to grow back.
Waxing Pros
Can lead to hair growing back thinner over time.
Can work as a dead skin exfoliant.
Results last 3-4 weeks before hair grows back.
Waxing cons
Is considered more painful (hot wax can also burn the skin).
Can (like shaving) cause inflammation and irritation, as well as ingrown hairs. There can be risk of infection with waxing if skin is thin or injured.
Hair should be 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch for the wax to work.
So which is better?
Both techniques get rid of unnecessary hair and leave your skin feeling smooth. One isn’t necessarily better than the other, but personal preference can point you towards a particular process.
Keep in mind that both require extra care in sensitive areas.
For example:
Waxing: The bikini line for waxing and the joints.
Shaving: Skin folds and bikini line.
Both: Facial hair.
Generally, shaving is more commonly used for larger areas on your body like legs and armpits whereas waxing is used in select spots like above the lip and bikini lines.
