Waxing vs Shaving: Which Is Better?

Removing unwanted hair is a tedious endeavor for many, and there’s no shortage of options out there. While shaving is a popular choice because of affordability and accessibility, waxing offers a number of benefits that you won’t get from a razor. Today, we’ll compare the pros and cons of waxing vs shaving to help you determine which hair removal method is better for your skin.

Pros and cons of waxing

Waxing is the perfect hair removal technique for many, but it also comes with a few drawbacks. Here’s what you need to know about eliminating facial and body hair with wax: 

Long-lasting results

The waxing process pulls each strand from the root, meaning hairs must regenerate entirely after a wax. As such, you can enjoy silky-smooth skin for weeks at a time. Don’t be discouraged if you notice new hair growth within a few days of your first wax.

This occurs because hair growth cycles are not yet synchronized. Once you establish a consistent routine, you’ll enjoy soft, touchable skin for longer periods between appointments. 

Doubles as exfoliation

All types of wax will exfoliate your skin to some degree, but soft wax adheres to the skin, helping you shed more dead skin cells than hard wax. This process can help minimize the risk of ingrown hairs and clogged pores after waxing. 

Can thin hair regrowth over time

A consistent waxing schedule won’t just lengthen the time between appointments. It can actually thin out hair growth, so there’s less to wax each time! Damage to follicles can inhibit their ability to generate new strands, so you’ll experience thinner, finer regrowth over time. 

More painful for some

In many cases, clients say that they quickly adapt to the initial discomfort of waxing. However, people with a lower pain tolerance may find that hot wax is too harsh for their skin, especially near sensitive areas like the bikini line. 

Need to follow aftercare for best results

Waxing requires a little extra care to achieve the best results and avoid adverse side effects. For instance, you’ll need to avoid excessive heat, sweat, and friction until your skin has fully recovered. Typically, your waxing specialist will review these aftercare musts with you during your appointment.

Pros and cons of shaving

Shaving is prevalent for a reason, but it doesn’t offer the same benefits as waxing. Here are a few things to keep in mind about shaving:

You can easily shave at home

Accessibility may be the greatest advantage of shaving over waxing. You don’t need to schedule an appointment or leave the comfort of your own home to eliminate pesky stubble from your face and body.

Cheaper immediate cost

Most razors you find at the grocery and drug stores are super cheap, which makes shaving one of the most-used hair removal methods. For only a few bucks a month, you can shave at home whenever you need to remove unwanted hair.

No rules about hair length

Unlike shaving, waxing requires growing your hair to a length of about a quarter-inch. Since shaving doesn’t have the same hair length restrictions, you can touch up any area — regardless of how long the hair is. 

Razor burn and irritation

Inflamed skin, pimples, and ingrown hairs are all common side effects of shaving. Razors tend to harbor acne-causing bacteria and cause more damage to the skin with each use. So there can be a higher chance of infection and irritation.

You need to shave nearly every day to keep up results

Each time you shave, you cut hair right at the skin’s surface. As a result, thick, coarse stubble is bound to re-emerge within a day or two. This means you may need to shave much more frequently than you’d have to touch up these areas with waxing.

What’s the biggest difference between waxing vs shaving?

Now that we’ve discussed the nuances of waxing vs shaving, let’s dig into the most notable differences between these two methods: 

Results

A consistent waxing routine can give you smooth, hair-free skin for weeks at a time. When your hair begins to grow back, each strand will be thinner, finer, and less noticeable. On the other hand, shaving will only leave your skin supple and silky for a day or two. Afterward, you’re more likely to encounter coarse, thick stubble that’s hard to ignore. 

Costs

Waxing costs more per session than shaving, ranging from about $20 to $100, depending on the treatment area. That said, you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck than you receive from shaving. 

Time spent waxing vs shaving

Most people schedule waxing appointments every four to six weeks. And since this method is quick and easy, most sessions only take between 10 and 30 minutes.

On the other hand, shaving is more tedious and requires daily treatment in many cases. You can expect to spend much more time removing hair with a razor than with wax. 

Get long-lasting results with Amileas Aesthetics & Barbering wax services!

Your personal preferences, budget, and goals will all impact the ideal hair removal method for your skin, but we suggest scheduling a few waxing sessions to see how it stacks up against shaving.

At Amileas Aesthetics & Barbering, we offer a range of waxing packages to keep your skin smooth and supple! Book an appointment online to get started today!