Have you ever removed unwanted hair from your body with waxing and found that it either doesn't come off or it rips off in the middle instead of being pulled from the roots? And did you feel like your hair length had something to do with these unwanted results?
You could be right, because for optimal results when waxing, the hair must be the right length. In addition, the right length waxing is less painful and more pleasant.
Therefore, we want to answer the question, “ Can hair be too long for waxing?” " and “ What is the right hair length for waxing? ”
- Part 1: Can hair be too long for waxing?
- Part 2: How long does the hair have to be for waxing?
- Part 3: How to trim hair to the ideal length?
- Part 4: Frequently Asked Questions
- Part 5: Conclusion
Can the hair be too long for waxing?
First, the wax adheres to the unwanted hair in such a way that it covers the lower part of the hair to remove it from the root. If the hair is too long, it is difficult to cover the roots.
So when you pull on the wax, you only break the hair where the wax is attached, not removing it from the root. This can also lead to painful ingrown hairs.
And the longer the hair, the more force is needed to remove it from the root and the more painful the waxing is. So long hair makes waxing more uncomfortable and painful.
Considering the above factors, the hair may be too long for waxing. Hair that is too short can also be problematic.
How long does the hair have to be for waxing?
You may be wondering if your hair is too long or too short for waxing, but what is the right hair length?
minimum hair length
Theoretically, the minimum length of hair for waxing is 0.6 cm. That's the length of a grain of rice. But we don't have a tape measure to measure the length of hair, nor do we always have a grain of rice to hand, do we?
Therefore, an easy way to determine if the hair in the desired treatment area is long enough is to pinch the hair with your fingertips. If you can hold the hair firmly, it is ready to be waxed.
Maximum hair length
When we say that the hair is too long for waxing, it means that the length of the hair is longer than 1.2 cm. In practical terms, this is less than half of a woman's fingertip. Therefore, the maximum hair length for waxing is 1.2 cm.
hair length range for different body regions
Although the range of 0.6 cm to 1.2 cm is appropriate, the exact hair length for different parts of the body depends on the thickness and density of the hair in that area.
For facial hair
Facial hair is thin in women and rarely grows to one centimeter. The ideal length for waxing fine facial hair is 0.6 cm.
For leg and arm hair
Some people's arm and leg hair may be fine, while others may be coarse. Therefore, we cannot give a standard length for these body parts. Instead, the normal length range for this hair is 0.6 cm - 1.2 cm.
For armpit and pubic hair
Pubic hair and armpit hair are dark, dense and thick. It is difficult for the wax to stick to these hairs, especially if they are short. Therefore, it is better to let the hair in the hidden and intimate areas grow to about 0.6 cm to have a comfortable waxing experience.
How to trim hair to the ideal length?
If your hair is too long before your waxing appointment, you will need to trim the excess hair in the desired area. Remember, we said trim, not shave, as this can make the hair shorter than necessary.
Therefore, take a small pair of regular scissors or safety scissors and carefully cut the hair to 0.6 cm - 1.2 cm. You also don't need to be afraid when trimming the hair with scissors because the safety scissors do not pierce the skin.
If you are too afraid to cut your hair yourself, leave this task to your waxing expert and make sure to get your waxing done every 2 weeks so that the hair is never too long and does not need to be trimmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs about waxing unwanted body hair.
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What happens if the hair is too short for waxing?
If your hair is too short, you won't be able to wax. Wax won't stick to hair shorter than 1/4 inch, so no matter how many times you apply wax, you won't be able to pull the unwanted hair out of your skin.
That's not all, because the wax sticks to your skin instead and if you use it multiple times on one spot, your skin may develop a rash.
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Can you wax very thick or coarse hair?
Yes, you can wax very thick or coarse hair. However, you need to prepare your skin well. Tips for preparing the skin for thick hair include:
- peeling and cleansing of the skin
- Trimming the hair to 0.6 cm
- Use the type of wax that is suitable for thick hair
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How often should you wax to maintain smooth skin?
The timeline for waxing depends primarily on the growth rate of the area being treated. Below we look at the growth rate and therefore the frequency of waxing different parts of the body:
- Once every 15 days for the face
- Once every 21 days for the armpits and bikini area
- Once every 30 days for arms and legs
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Should you trim before waxing?
Yes and no, it depends on the length of hair you have before waxing. If you are doing waxing for the first time, it is better to trim before waxing so that waxing is less painful and more comfortable.
However, if you wax regularly and your hair length is in the range of 0.6 cm – 1.2 cm, you do not need to trim.
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How long should you wait between waxings ?
You should wait until your hair is between 0.6cm - 1.2cm long between waxings, and again this depends on the area being treated. So here is how long you should wait between waxings:
- 2 weeks for the face
- 3 weeks for armpits and bikini area
- 4 weeks for arms and legs
Conclusion
Waxing involves applying a sticky substance to the hair that adheres tightly to the hair and pulls it out from the roots. In order for the wax to stick to the hair, the hair should be about 0.6 cm - 1.2 cm long.
If the hair is longer, waxing will be painful, and if the hair is shorter, you will not be able to achieve hair-free skin. Therefore, follow the guidelines for the correct waxing length described in this article to ensure a comfortable experience.
