Waxing is one method of hair removal which unfortunately requires some noticeable regrowth in order to proceed with the next removal session. Most treatment centers or salons recommend that the hair be around 15mm or ¼’’ long at the time of waxing. This allows the wax agent enough surface area to grip the hair thoroughly and assist in easy removal.
Some sources mention that as your hair becomes finer and slows in regrowth, it is sometimes possible to wax the hair at a shorter length. However, in order to avoid disappointment, it may be advisable to maintain the minimum regrowth recommendations. Attempting to wax with hair that is shorter may result in increased discomfort or repeated waxes required in order to achieve a smooth result.
While hot waxing is one of the most commonly available waxing techniques in salons at the moment, there are a number of other hair removal methods and styles that may have differences in regrowth requirement before followup treatments. Examples include cold waxing and sugaring, however, your treatment therapist is the best person to consult regarding regrowth requirements based on your hair type, body area, and style of waxing.
Cold Waxing
Commonly recognized as not quite as effective as hot wax, cold waxing often requires areas to be repeatedly waxed in a session in order to remove all hairs and follicles. With this reputation already tainting the quality of treatment, it may be a good idea to maintain regrowth equal or greater than ¼’’ in order to allow the wax to grip what hair it can. In addition to this, we must reiterate the benefits of exfoliating ahead of time and having clean clear skin when performing the treatment for best results.
Sugaring
An all-natural alternative to typical hot waxing, sugaring involves the creation of a sugar paste from sugar, lemon juice, and water, applied to the skin in a toffee-like mixture, which acts as the waxing agent. Because the sugaring mixture is water-based, it can often get into hair follicles better than commercial waxing agents, a feature which may assist with cleaner hair removal. A number of estheticians also comment that because sugaring adheres to the hair much better than it does to the skin, it is also possible to perform a sugar waxing treatment on shorter hair. Some beauty therapists comment that in as little as two weeks after a waxing session, they would be able to perform a sugaring treatment to remove the small regrowth or breakthrough hairs that might have risen. However, this is not a hard and fast rule; your own therapist may recommend that you wait a little longer for more substantial regrowth before repeat treatments.
While some other hair removal methods are practical and require absolute minimal regrowth, or allow for daily use (such as shaving), waxing’s requirement of regrowth may seem inconvenient or unsightly for the first few sessions. However, given the longevity of results, it is often considered a worthwhile inconvenience for long-lasting hair removal.