Regardless of whether today's generation considers facial hair maintenance a personal choice, we can all agree that hair on the upper lip looks unsightly, right? So, removing upper lip hair is a must, even if you leave the hair on other parts of the face as it is. One of the most commonly used methods to get rid of upper lip hair, besides threading, is waxing.
So, we will talk about the process of waxing, its benefits, the disadvantages of waxing the upper lip, the long-term effects, and some questions that readers are curious about.
Table of contents:- Part 1: Is waxing the upper lip bad for the skin?
- Part 2: Threading vs. waxing of the upper lips
- Part 3: Step-by-step instructions for waxing the upper lip
- Part 4: How to treat cracked skin from waxing the upper lip
- Part 5: FAQs about waxing the upper lip
- Part 6: Alternative to waxing the upper lip: IPL hair removal
- Part 7: Conclusion
Is waxing the upper lip bad for the skin?
Let’s discuss waxing in terms of its advantages, disadvantages and other effects to decide whether waxing your upper lip is good or bad for you.
Benefits of waxing the upper lip
Below you will find the benefits of waxing upper lip hair.
- Precise and fast hair removal: While waxing body hair takes a while and only small areas can be treated at a time, waxing the upper lip can be done in a few minutes and is also precise, so that only a few hairs are left behind.
- The results last for weeks: Waxing removes the upper lip hair at the root, so your face remains hairless for 3-6 weeks.
- Over time, finer and fewer hairs grow back: Since waxing strongly attacks the hair roots, they become weaker over time and the hair regrowth becomes finer and fewer.
- Improves skin texture: In addition to hair, waxing also removes the top layer of skin with dead cells, giving your face a better texture and a healthy glow.
- Economical: Waxing kits are inexpensive and one kit will last a long time if you only use the wax on your upper lip.
Disadvantages of waxing the upper lip
Below you will find the disadvantages of waxing the upper lip.
- Skin redness and irritation: In addition to the pain, the abrasive effect of waxing can irritate the skin and cause it to turn red.
- Bumps and ingrown hairs: When waxing removes hair with force, it causes the pores to swell into small bumps. And if the hair is not removed using the right method, ingrown hairs form.
- Micro-tears and invisible bleeding: Waxing pulls on the skin and can cause traumatic micro-tears in the small vessels of the skin. This leads to subcutaneous bleeding.
- Infections: Wax makes the skin more susceptible to infections by removing the skin's outer protective layer and allowing bacteria to easily penetrate the newer layers.
Long-term effects of waxing the upper lip
- Deterioration of the skin: Waxing the upper lip when you have acne or skin conditions such as dermatitis can worsen the symptoms.
- Increased skin sensitivity: Waxing the upper lip makes the area more sensitive to the sun by removing the epidermis.
- Reduced skin elasticity: Waxing pulls and tugs the skin every time the strip is peeled off. This causes the skin to lose elasticity and become prone to premature aging.
- Darkening of the skin: Repeated waxing with hot wax can lead to stimulation of post-waxing melanocytes, which darken the skin.
We can see that waxing is not necessarily bad for the skin, as its advantages and disadvantages balance each other. However, long-term use of wax on the upper lip can have negative effects.
Threading vs. waxing of the upper lips
Threading involves using a soft cotton thread to grab the hair from a small part of the upper lip and pull it out, while waxing involves using a sticky material to remove the entire upper lip hair in some parts .
So the benefits of upper lip threading are that it is less tugging on the skin, more precise, removes the shortest and finest hairs and is safe for sensitive skin. However, it can be more painful and time-consuming than waxing.
In contrast, waxing is less painful, quick, exfoliates the skin and allows the hair to grow back finer. However, the pulling on the skin can lead to premature wrinkling in the upper lip area, does not work on hairs shorter than half a centimeter and can aggravate allergies. Therefore, threading proves to be the better method for removing hair on the upper lip.
Step-by-step instructions for waxing the upper lip
Step 1: Preparation
First, prepare your skin by washing the area to be treated and letting it dry. Wash and disinfect your hands as well.
Then heat the wax in a wax warmer to an appropriate temperature and check if the temperature is tolerable for your skin. Then divide the upper lip area into 2 right, 2 left and a middle section.
Step 2: Application
Now start applying the wax in the first section, starting from the outer corner of the mouth. Apply a thin layer of wax with a wooden spatula in the direction of hair growth to cover all unwanted hair. Both hard and soft wax can be used to remove upper lip hair.
Step 3: Removal
Allow the wax to harden if you are using hard wax, or place the strip over the wax if you are using soft wax. Then stretch your skin with your fingers or pinch your upper lip between your teeth. Finally, remove the wax strip in the opposite direction of hair growth.
Step 4: Repeat the process
When you're done with one area, move on to the remaining 4 areas and repeat the process.
Step 5: Care after waxing
After you have removed the hair with waxing, check if there is any hair left. If so, pluck it out and you are done.
Then remove the wax residue from the skin by rubbing it with Vaseline or an oil-based cleanser. Finally, soothe the skin by moisturizing it well.
How to treat cracked skin from waxing the upper lip
Let's see how to treat skin broken by waxing .
Treating bumps
Bumps are a common result of waxing the upper lip. They will go away on their own, but they can also be treated by washing the area with cold water and moisturizing.
Treating pimples
Pimples occur when an infection occurs in the pores of the skin. To treat pimples, wash your face thoroughly with a mild antibacterial toner and apply an antibacterial spot treatment cream. Also, wear a pimple patch and give your skin time to heal.
FAQs about waxing the upper lip
- How long does the redness last after waxing the upper lip?
Redness will last for 2 to 24 hours after waxing. You can leave it untreated until it goes away. Additionally, you can use aloe vera gel or moisturizer to soothe irritated skin and quickly normalize your skin tone.
- Does waxing the upper lip cause more hair growth?
No, waxing does not cause more hair to grow in the upper lip area. Although it affects the hair follicles, it does not stimulate them to produce more hair. In fact, waxing traumatizes the hair follicles and causes finer hair to grow back.
- Does waxing make your upper lip darker?
Yes, waxing can cause dark spots on the upper lip because it causes post-inflammatory pigmentation, which usually occurs when thick hair is removed and the melanocytes are traumatized into producing more pigment.
However, it is not permanent and the chances of darkening the skin are less when using cold wax.
- How long does upper lip waxing last?
Upper lip waxing lasts 15 to 30 days. This is because the hair is removed at the root and takes 2 to 4 weeks to grow back and up to 6 weeks to complete the hair growth cycle and reach its full length.
Additionally, you cannot wax short hair and will have to wait at least 2 weeks until it grows long enough to be waxed.
- What do you put on your upper lip after waxing?
Immediately after waxing, you must use Vaseline to remove the wax residue. Then use skin-soothing products such as facial oil and moisturizer to nourish the skin.
Also, apply sunscreen to protect your skin from damage and avoid using harsh products for a while.
Alternative to waxing the upper lip: IPL hair removal
The best method to remove unsightly upper lip hair is IPL hair removal, as it burns the root of the unwanted moustache and hinders its growth. One of the most effective and gentle devices for removing upper lip hair is the Ulike Air3 IPL hair removal device .
Available in two versions , Ulike Air+ and Air3, it takes less than a minute to treat the upper lip. The included goggles allow you to work close to the eye area without hurting your eyes.
Moreover, with Ulike Sapphire IPL devices , there is no need to pluck the leftover hair as it works on hair of any length and thickness. So, Ulike can be the best option to get rid of upper lip hair forever.
Conclusion
Upper lip waxing is a method of facial hair removal that removes hair from the root without wasting time. It also brightens the skin by removing the dead skin cells that make it dull.
However, you must beware of waxing if your skin is sensitive, allergic and prone to premature aging. In such cases, IPL hair removal proves to be a better alternative to upper lip waxing. So, you should weigh the pros and cons of both methods to finally make a decision that suits you best.
