When considering waxing, there are two leading varieties which are most common and most popular; cold waxing and hot waxing. While the method of hair removal is the same (the hair strand in entirety, from the root), the technique used to remove said hair does differ, and it is these differences that most individuals use to determine which method they prefer.
Hot Waxing
For this method, waxing beads or solid wax is melted either in a specialized heating pot (or in the microwave if performing at home), and then applied to the skin using application spatulas. After application to the skin, a cotton or linen cloth is usually pressed into the wax, and once cooled slightly, the cloth is pulled away from the skin, against the direction of hair growth. The waxing agent, having bound to both the cloth and the hairs, removes the hairs with the assistance of a swift, sharp tug.
Hot Wax benefits
- Commonly available and popular at salons; staff are often highly skilled
- The application is very straightforward
- Pleasantly warm against the skin
- Clean up after waxing treatments of this variety are usually very easy, with a simple warm water wash
- Effective at removing short hairs, or removing hair from large body areas at once
- Exfoliates the skin and removes dead skin cells
- The warmth from the wax helps to open pores and follicles, leading to the waxing agent getting a better grip on the hair for removal
- You can apply the wax in specific layouts to pinpoint exactly how you want the hair shaped (for example, with eyebrows)
Hot Wax disadvantages
- Potentially traumatic to the skin; can result in damage such as bruising or tears
- Over-heated wax can burn the skin
- Uncomfortable or even painful when removing hair
- Can be messy to apply if unpracticed
- Waxing agent may irritate or cause an allergic reaction in those with sensitive skin
- Not suitable for people with delicate or sensitized skin, treated with acne creams, dermabrasion, or other dermatological treatments
- Requires skin to be completely clean and clear from oils and lotions
- Tricky and often impractical or expensive to perform at home
- Multiple treatments or waxing large areas at a salon can be costly
- Preparation of the waxing treatment can take up time, though the hair removal itself is quick
Cold Waxing
Contrastingly to the hot alternative, cold wax is typically purchased in pre-applied and pre-measured strips; where the waxing agent is sandwiched between two linen or plastic strips. These strips are merely warmed lightly between the palms of the hands, pulled apart, and pressed against the skin where hair removal is desired. Differing slightly to hot waxing; the strips are removed in the direction of hair growth, rather than against the grain, as is the case with hot waxing.
Cold wax benefits
- No risk of burns, as wax is not actively heated
- Cheap/inexpensive
- Easy application and use at home
- Low mess- no need to heat wax agents or prepare additional strips
- Convenient for travel needs
Cold wax disadvantages
- Not as effective, so repeated waxing of an area may be required to remove all hair
- Hair is required to be longer for removal
- Skin irritation and ingrown hairs are more likely when skin is repeatedly waxed
- May require a large number of strips to wax a large area
- Wax is cold, so pores and follicles may not relax as much, leading to increased resistance for removal
- Potentially traumatic to the skin; can result in damage such as bruising or tears
- Uncomfortable or even painful when removing hair
- Can be messy to apply if unpracticed
- Waxing agent may irritate or cause an allergic reaction in those with sensitive skin
- Not suitable for people with delicate or sensitized skin, treated with acne creams, dermabrasion, or other dermatological treatments
- Requires skin to be completely clean and clear from oils and lotions
- Can be tricky to perform in all areas of the body if performing treatment at home rather than a salon.
While hot and cold waxing both have their positives and negatives, waxing itself has its own list of advantages and disadvantages, regardless of which variety you use. More can be read here <link: what are the positives and negatives of waxing?>