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Hair Removal by Waxing Body hair is the bane of every (well, almost every) woman's existence,
and getting rid of unwanted body hair tops the list of beauty priorities.
One popular body hair removal method is waxing. Read on for answers to
some of the most frequently asked questions on waxing. Find out on what
parts of the body you can wax, and how to prepare wax at home.
On what areas of the skin can I wax
You can wax your entire body, whether you are a male or a female. However,
there are certain areas where you shouldn't apply wax:
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Inside the ears and nose
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Eyelashes
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On the nipples
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The male genital area
There are of course far more women who wax their bodies than men, but the
number of males who go in for waxing is on the increase especially those
with excessive body hair.
Can I wax my sideburns
Yes, you most certainly can! You can wax your entire face, including
forehead, but unless absolutely essential, this is not recommended. When
getting your sideburns waxed, specify that you want a very small area waxed,
and ensure that the beautician sticks to the area close to the ear. You
could wax your chin, upper lip and eyebrows as well. However, it is preferable
to thread the eyebrows and upper lip.
Can I wax my privates
The term 'Brazillian waxing' is used to denote removal of hair from
the entire female genital area. As wax is made from purely natural products
like sugar, water and lemon, it can be safely applied to the genitalia.
Brazillian waxing can be very painful, but many women feel that the results
are well worth it. A less painful alternative is a bikini wax, in which
the area visible outside the bikini line is waxed.
What are the advantages of waxing
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Hair takes a longer time to grow back after waxing, because the hair
is removed from the root. It takes around 4-6 weeks to grow back, and sometimes
even longer.
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Waxing slowly reduces the growth of hair, so the more often you wax, the
slower your hair growth.
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Gradually, over an extended period of time, the hair may even stop growing
in the waxed area.
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Wax is made from natural ingredients like sugar, lemon and water, as opposed
to depilatories (hair removal creams and lotions), which are made from
harsh chemicals that burn the hair. Sugar and lemon are both beneficial
for the skin.
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Dead skin is removed in the process of waxing. Waxing thus doubles as an
effective exfoliator.
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The skin feels smooth after waxing.
Can I wax by myself
Yes, you most certainly can! All it takes is a little practice, and
once you've nailed the technique, waxing can be as easy as, well, cooking
rice! The best part about being able to wax yourself is that you can be
clean and hairless all the time since you will not have to take time out
to visit the beauty saloon, and will not be dependent on anyone. And if
you're prone to shaving in times of emergency, once your learn how to wax
yourself you will not have to touch a razor ever again! Nevertheless,
it can be a little messy and you may feel that it's just not worth the
hassle. If the saloon is a stone's throw away, by all means, enjoy getting
waxed by professionals. But if you're tight on cash, you just may want
to give it a shot yourself. So, here goes:
Wax recipe
Ingredients
2 cups sugar
¼ cup water
¼ cup lemon (nimbu) juice
Method
Pour the sugar, water and lemon juice in a saucepan, and heat it over
a low flame. Keep stirring the mixture until all the sugar has melted,
and you have a thick brown liquid. Let it cool slightly.
Waxing technique
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Test the temperature before applying the wax to your skin. It should be
hot, but not scalding, or you can burn yourself.
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Once the wax has cooled slightly, test it on your finger. Blow on it to
cool it with your breath and apply it to your skin with a butter knife,
in the direction of hair growth.
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Place a clean cotton cloth strip on the wax and yank it against the direction
of hair growth.
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Wipe the area clean with a cold cloth after you've finished waxing.
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You could also apply ice to the waxed area, to close and tighten pores.
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You may notice that your skin has turned red, or that you have tiny bumps
on the skin immediately after waxing. This is a normal reaction, and the
redness and bumps should disappear within an hour. Applying a moisturizer
or soothing lotion will help.
If you can still see sugar particles in the wax, the hair will probably
not come out and you would need to re-cook the wax.
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