Is waxing better than shaving?

While waxing removes hair at the root, shaving cuts all the hair at skin level. With waxing, hair grows back more slowly, but the pain of pulling out so much hair at once can be unbearable for some people. With shaving, on the other hand, there is always the risk of cuts, nicks and injuries, which is why there is always debate about which method is better.

In this article, we have compared both methods of hair removal so that you can understand and decide which method is best for your needs.

Table of contents:

• Part 1: Overview
• Part 2: Waxing vs. Shaving
• Part 3: Conclusion

Overview

basis of comparison	waxing	Shave
process	During waxing, the hair is pulled out with force using wax.	In this procedure, the hair is cut from the top layer of skin with a razor.
Cost	Includes the cost of wax, perfume and moisturizer	Includes the cost of shaving foam, razor, blade and aftershave.
duration of the results	The results last 4 to 6 weeks	The results can be seen for a few hours to 2 days.
efficiency	Not effective in treating fine hair	It can also treat fine hair.
Benefits and Side Effects	Long-lasting results with high pain threshold	Fast and inexpensive, but very short-lived results.
hair regrowth	The hair grows back as usual	Hair growth will be normal
body areas	legs, arms, chest, back, head, bikini area	Head, face, arms, legs, chest, bikini area, pubic area
pain	It is painful and can be uncomfortable on sensitive skin	Not painful if we follow the process
hair length requirement	Needs long hair ~1.3cm	Needs short hair ~0.5cm
skin sensitivity	May be painful for sensitive skin	Ideal for all skin types

Waxing vs. Shaving

process

Waxing involves applying a layer or strip of wax to the skin and allowing it to settle so that the wax can hold the hair. Once the wax has settled after a few minutes, we have to pull on it with great force, ripping the hair from the roots. This is the main reason why waxing lasts longer than shaving.

To shave, we must apply some shaving gel or cream to the skin, lather it to obtain a foamy texture and drag the razor over the skin so that the blades cut all the hair in the way.

Cost

The average prices for waxing strips like Veet start at €4 to €5 for a pack of 20 strips. Jars of soft wax start at €5 and packs of hard wax start at €9 to €10. We can also invest in additional ingredients such as fragrances or sugars that we can mix with the wax for €2 and up.

Razors can cost as little as €4 or €5, but if we need to shave large parts of the body, a multi-blade razor can cost €10 or more. Other costs include shaving gel, aftershave and moisturizer, all of which cost €5 and up.

duration of the result

Women should start to notice hair regrowth by week 3 or 4, while men will see hair regrowth a little faster. If your hair grows faster, this time frame will be shorter.

The results of shaving last for 1 to 2 days for men. Some men even see new hair growing back within 24 hours. For women and people with fine hair, the results should last longer than 2 to 3 days.

efficiency

Waxing of any kind, such as sugaring, soft wax, hard wax or waxing strips, is extremely effective. The majority of hair should be removed in one session. Waxing may fail in the case of particularly fine hair, which is more common in women.

Shaving is much more efficient when the hair is short. Shaving also works well when we have thick and dense hair. It can cut off the finest hairs that grow on our skin and are difficult to remove with waxing. Shaving can effectively remove hair from almost any part of the body.

Benefits and Side Effects

1. Waxing leaves a layer of scent and moisturizes the skin.
2. We can perform waxing before or after showering .
3. Ingrown hairs may occur as a side effect and the level of pain may cause a feeling of discomfort, especially if you are new to waxing.

The main difference between waxing and shaving is the benefits.

1. Shaving is quick, especially if you shave dry.
2. The overall costs are lower than waxing.
3. Shaving can cause ingrown hairs, cuts, scratches, infections and minor injuries if you are not careful.

hair regrowth

All hair grows back after a few weeks. For women and men with fine hair and less density, hair should start to appear on the skin after 5 or even 6 weeks. This is why waxing is more effective than shaving. New hair growing on the skin should have fine tips.

You will notice that all your hairs will grow back at the same length starting from the next 24 hours. The tip will be blunt and the hair that grows back will be coarse. If you have been using dull blades, the chances of ingrown hairs are high.

body areas

Waxing is ideal for:

1. Legs
2. poor
3. armpits
4. bikini zone
5. face (including upper lip, chin, eyebrows and cheeks)
6. Back
7. Breast
8. feet and toes
9. neck

Most women choose to wax their legs, bikini area, underarms and face (including eyebrows, upper lip and chin). For men, it is usually their chest, back and arms.

Shaving is ideal for:

1. Face (for men and women, including areas such as beard, mustache and sideburns)
2. Legs
3. armpits
4. poor
5. Breast
6. Back
7. feet and toes

Most women shave their legs, arms, armpits and face, while most men shave their face, head, arms, chest and sometimes their pubic area.

pain

Waxing is certainly painful, but the pain is bearable. Some people, such as women, have a lower pain tolerance, which can be uncomfortable for them. If you are new to waxing, the pain can be disconcerting.

On average, shaving is one of the most painless methods of hair removal and you will find it very comfortable. You just need to stick to the process and follow the proper aftercare with aftershave and/or moisturizer.

hair length requirement

We need to have long hair before we can wax it. Most people wax when their hair is at least 0.5cm long or 1.3cm long at most. Long hair is important because otherwise the wax will not be able to hold properly in the hair. Long hair increases the surface area and the wax adheres well.

Shaving requires short hairs that should not be longer than 0.5cm. Short hairs are important for shaving because the razor can glide easily over the skin and cut short hairs comfortably. Otherwise, long hairs would get stuck between the blades more easily, which would drastically affect the result.

skin sensitivity

Waxing is fine for normal skin, but if you have sensitive skin, you should consider an alternative. Waxing is painful when so many hairs are pulled out with force. The tension on the skin is high, which causes a painful feeling. People with sensitive skin may experience redness, itching or even small injuries after waxing.

If you have sensitive skin, you can shave with a razor and blade specifically designed for sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, you can also moisturize it well, use a razor with multiple blades specifically designed for sensitive skin, and follow up with aloe vera gel and moisturizers. If you have normal skin, shaving will be even more comfortable and easier.

Conclusion

When we talk about waxing or shaving, both have different results and pain thresholds. If you have a normal skin type, we recommend you to choose waxing or shaving depending on your mood. However, if you have sensitive skin, we recommend shaving because waxing will be more painful for you.

Shaving is more comfortable and convenient overall because there is less mess. The process is very simple and straightforward and the aftercare routine is very regular overall. Waxing does require you to buy waxing strips, but they cannot remove fine hairs. On the other hand, choosing between soft and hard wax can confuse people even more. But for those wondering why waxing is better than shaving, it is because it provides long-lasting results.