Does Waxing Reduce Hair Growth?

Waxing can give you smooth, supple skin for weeks at a time and minimize the constant upkeep that shaving requires. But does waxing reduce hair growth? Today, we’re answering all your questions about the benefits of waxing and whether you can expect to see thinner regrowth over time.

What are the effects of waxing over time?

We’ll cut to the chase. It turns out that waxing can reduce hair growth, and that the results can manifest in several different ways, including:

Finer hair

After a wax, you can expect regrowth to emerge thinner and finer than previously shaved strands, so it will be less noticeable that you’re growing your strands to a quarter-inch or longer in preparation for your next waxing session. 

Less hair growth

Waxing over time actually reduces the number of hair follicles that can regenerate new hairs, so future waxing sessions will likely be less grueling than your first appointment.

Smoother skin

Finally, waxing naturally exfoliates treatment areas to remove dead skin cells along with unwanted facial and body hair. There’s no pesky stubble and a limited risk of folliculitis and ingrown hairs. 

How does waxing reduce hair growth?

All of that sounds promising, but how does waxing achieve these results? Here’s the science behind reduced hair growth after waxing:

Hair removal method

Each time you wax, you remove individual strands of hair at the root, meaning that every shaft will have to regenerate completely. Unlike waxing, shaving only cuts hair at the skin’s surface and leaves the roots intact.

So you can envision how each hair emerges thinner and finer post-wax compared to the thick, coarse stubble that appears after shaving. 

Follicle weakening

During the waxing process, it’s normal to permanently damage follicles, which inhibits their ability to produce new hairs. This is generally a harmless process for your overall health, and it leaves you with fewer hairs to wax in the future. 

Consistent waxing schedule

Consistency is key when it comes to making the most of your hair removal efforts. Every strand of hair follows a standard growth cycle, but the timing isn’t consistent throughout your body. 

Here’s a breakdown of the hair growth cycle: 

• Anagen: Active growth phase. Most hairs are in the anagen stage at any given time. 

• Catagen: Transition phase. Only 1% to 2% of hairs at any time. 

• Telogen: Dormant phase. Around 10% of hairs at any time.

Waxing effectively removes hairs in the active growth stage, so it isn’t possible to remove all hair in a single waxing session. This is the reason you might notice fresh strands a few days after your first appointment.

However, as you develop a consistent waxing routine, your growth cycles will begin to sync. This allows your waxing specialist to remove more active strands during each appointment. 

Other benefits of waxing for long-term hair removal

Reduced hair growth isn’t the only benefit of waxing! Here are some of the other perks we think you’ll love:

Improved skin texture

Some people seem to have effortlessly smooth, supple skin. While part of that is certainly genetic, another factor may be a consistent waxing routine that keeps their skin soft and silky. The fact is that waxing can also exfoliate skin during the process. This means many clients see improved skin texture over time with consistent waxing.

Reduced risk of irritation 

Waxing often gets a reputation for being uncomfortable or even painful, but most clients who undergo this regular beauty routine might argue that it isn’t that bad. When it comes to waxing vs shaving, waxing is easier on your skin, so you shouldn’t experience razor burn, bumps, and other skin issues like folliculitis.

Fewer ingrown hairs

Waxing combats ingrown hairs in two ways. First, the fine, tapered, baby hairs that re-emerge from waxed skin are naturally shaped to exit the skin without obstruction. When you consider the blunt shafts left behind by shaving, it makes sense that they may become trapped beneath the skin.

Secondly, since waxing naturally removes dead skin cells, the practice also minimizes the risk of ingrown hairs. Of course, consistent and gentle exfoliation before and after each waxing session will also encourage new hairs to seamlessly emerge from your skin and prevent ingrown hairs. 

The path to silky, smooth skin starts at Stormie Skin & Wellness!

Stormie Skin & Wellness is here to help you achieve smooth, hairless skin at an affordable price. Whether you want to dive in with a full Brazilian wax or eliminate pesky peach fuzz from your cheeks, we can make it happen and help you care for your skin between appointments.

Reach out today for more information or book an appointment to get started!