Well known as a sub-classification of hot waxing, hard wax is very common in most conventional salons. Similarly to soft waxing, it is applied to the skin once warmed, however, is allowed to harden and removed from the skin without the aid of muslin cloth or paper strips.
Often touted as better suitable for sensitive areas and coarser hair than soft wax – one that uses strips for removal – hard wax it is a popular favorite for removing hair in intimate or sensitive areas such as underarms and bikini area. Due to its nature of almost shrink-wrapping the hair for removal, it is also commonly used for facial waxing, as it is considered gentle to delicate skin. However, hard waxing is best used only on small areas, as attempting to utilize over a large surface area is time-consuming, and the inflexible nature of the product may result in the wax breaking when attempting to remove it.
While it is ideal for areas of delicate skin or particularly coarse hair, hard wax is not the most suitable solution for all forms of hair removal – large expanses of the body such as full legs, chest, back etc., are much better suited to soft wax, as it is easier to apply across a large surface area. Soft wax is thinner, and more easily applied to these larger expanses of skin, and swiftly removed with a muslin cloth or paper strip. Hard waxing requires repetitive, small applications and removal, making it an inefficient choice when removing a large amount of body hair.
When considering the best method of hair removal for you, should you feel that hot waxing is the best option, it is important to remember that hard waxing is much trickier to perform on yourself than soft waxing? As it can take some practice to get used to the product, if pursuing hard waxing as your method of choice, consider leaving it to the professionals until you have practiced enough to perform the treatment on yourself.
If you have any further questions or would like to see a comparison between various methods of waxing hair removal, we recommend you read our articles on <link: What are the advantages of cold waxing vs. hot waxing?> and <link: What are the various techniques for waxing?>