Waxing with wax strips is considered an easy way to remove unwanted hair at home. It is designed for different parts of the female body. This method is more effective than using a razor or cream and cheaper than salon waxing or sugaring. So, let’s talk about how to use wax strips.
How to Choose Wax Strips
Today stores offer wax strips from different manufacturers. When choosing them you can be guided by different criteria. For some women, the brand of the product is important.
Also, when choosing means for depilation should be taken into account:
- The type of skin. In the means for dry, normal, or sensitive skin add the appropriate care components.
- The size of the strips themselves. They come in both large (20 cm) and small (7 cm). The first is suitable for the hands or feet, and the second – for vaxing the face zone and the intimate area.
- Product Assignments. Separate strips are available for the face or intimate area. These areas of the body are highly sensitive, and the manufacturer takes this into account by selecting the appropriate composition of the wax.
It is important to pay attention to the presence of caring components in the list of ingredients of the wax mixture. Chamomile or aloe extract soothes the skin, bisabolol is a natural antiseptic, lavender and rose to soften the skin.
Types of Wax Strips
Depilation strips are made of paper or fabric material on which manufacturers apply a wax-containing or other adhesive composition that can remove hairs together with the bulb.
They are available in standard sizes – 20 cm length for hair removal from arms, legs, abdomen, back and 7 cm for hair removal from the face and bikini zone. Let’s consider in more detail what kinds of depilation strips are available.
Reusable Wax Strips
Reusable hair removal strips are consumable for waxing or sugar paste work. These strips are designed from durable material based on spunbond, cellulose, or thin fabric tape.
The technology of use is not complicated, a viscous component is applied to the waxed area, then a wax stripe for depilation is put on it and smoothed with the palm of the hand several times along the hair growth.
The strip is then removed with a quick and sharp movement against the growth of the hair, having previously stretched the skin. When properly pulled off, the hair should be pulled out with the root and remain on the fabric.
Disposable Wax Strips
Disposable strips for depilation – represent a ready-made strip with already applied adhesive mass (fusible wax). To apply the wax strip will need to rub the composition with your hands, then remove the protective film and then apply the plate to the waxing area. Smooth the wax strip with your hands and tear it against the growth of hair.
Disposable strips are made of inelastic fabric, which is covered with beeswax, tree resin, paraffin, and sugar paste.
Also, manufacturers add moisturizing and herbal substances that help relieve irritation and soothe the skin after epilation. In the market of modern cosmetology, there are depilation strips for dry, oily, and sensitive skin.
Advantages and Disadvantages of The Wax Strip
Wax strips are easy to use and do not require certain training and skills. But before waxing, you need to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of these means. The advantages and disadvantages include:
How to Use Wax Strips
Inside the box, in addition to the wax strips themselves, there are sachets with small cloths soaked in an oil composition. They are used when it is necessary to clean the skin taut from the wax particles stuck to it.
To remove all the hairs on the waxed area, they must be 4-5 mm long.
Step One
For waxing with wax strips should be prepared in advance. A couple of days before the procedure, use a mild scrubbing composition. This will remove dead skin cells of the epidermis, increase the effectiveness of vaxing and reduce the likelihood of subsequent ingrown hairs.
Immediately before hair removal, the skin should be cleaned from cosmetic residues with lotion. The depiliruemuyu area should be treated with an antiseptic composition to avoid inflammation.
Wax is applied to clean, extremely dry skin taut. To ensure maximum adhesion to the hairs, you can use a small amount of baby powder.
Step Two
Each wax strip should be slightly heated before use. It is enough to rub between the palms of your hands for 10-15 seconds or put on a warm radiator.
The ready strip is divided into two parts and put on the skin taut, smoothing along the hair growth. The wax should be carefully pressed to the surface of the body so that it thoroughly captures all the hairs.
Step Three
Removing the wax strip from the smooth skin should be a sharp movement, strictly against the direction of hair growth. To do this, it is taken by the free edge and pulled off.
The second hand should hold the skin below the area on which the strip is glued, to reduce pain and avoid trauma to the skin. If a woman does not use talcum powder during epilation, wax strips can be used several times.
For repeated use, it is enough to fold them again with wax inside and warm them between the palms of your hands.
Experts do not recommend applying wax twice on the same area of the skin to avoid severe irritation or bruising. If on the waxed surface there are single hairs, they can be removed using tweezers.
Step Four
After waxing the skin should be cleaned from traces of the wax mixture. Here are used tissues prepared by the manufacturer or edible vegetable oils. To relieve irritation, which inevitably appears after waxing, apply also caring compositions in the form of lotion, milk, and cream.
How to Remove Wax Residue After Waxing
After tearing the wax strips, some amount of wax mixture remains on the surface of the body. It cannot be removed simply with water or soap – you have to use oil.
Today, most manufacturers put in the package with the strips a few tissues soaked in the oil mixture. You can also use ordinary vegetable or cosmetic base oil (without essential additives).
Another option, is to buy a special lotion for skin treatment after waxing, present among the products of any professional brand. Taking into account the long-lasting effect of each procedure, even a small bottle of such a product is enough for a long time.
How to Care for Skin After the Procedure
Even the most delicate wax mixture traumatizes the skin because it pulls out hair with the root. It leaves microscopic scratches and bruises on the surface of the body, which is often invisible to the eye.
Therefore, irritation after the waxing procedure is a natural reaction. Immediately after waxing it is recommended to apply an antiseptic preparation to the treated body surface – it will minimize the probability of penetration of bacteria into the skin.
If inflammation still appeared, it is advisable to use salicylic acid, zinc ointment, or another pharmacy product that stops the inflammatory process.
For owners of sensitive skin, products with panthenol (creams, sprays, or ointments) are well suited. This substance soothes the skin and promotes its regeneration. Preference should also be given to pharmacy preparations and not to cosmetic products.
Before you purchase any skin care cream or natural oils, you should familiarize yourself with its composition and recommendations for its use. Prefer products designed for sensitive skin, as they are usually hypoallergenic.
Tips
After waxing, the skin can be wiped decoction of medicinal herbs, which have a soothing and antiseptic action. This is chamomile, calendula, and oak bark.
At least within 24 hours after waxing can not expose your skin to the sun (tanning in tanning salons), go to the pool. You should refuse hot baths, Russian baths, or saunas.
To slow down the growth of new hair, use special inhibitor drugs. They help to increase the interval between vaxing sessions, but cannot get rid of body hair forever. The effect of inhibitors is based on the influence on the follicle germ: they inhibit the rate of cell division, which is responsible for hair growth.
The inhibitor affects only the hair itself without damaging the epidermis tissue. As a result of using a cream or serum with a similar effect, hair in the treated area becomes thin and weak, easily removed by waxing.
You just need to remember that to get such a result, the inhibitor drug must be used regularly. Its single application will not be able to provide the desired result.
Video: How to Use Wax Strips
In this video, you can watch how to use wax strips at home step-by-step.
Contraindications
Waxing is a procedure that has certain contraindications. In particular, it is not recommended for women who are expecting a baby, especially in the long term of pregnancy.
During this period, there is a hormonal change in the body, which sharply increases the sensitivity of the skin. Even women who are used to waxing may experience discomfort during the procedure, which can harm the baby.
You should not wax those who have abused alcohol or taken caffeine the day before. As stimulants, these drugs increase skin sensitivity and can lead to severe irritation after the procedure. For the same reason, you should not take alcohol in the hope of reducing the pain of waxing. Painkillers should be used for this purpose.
Vaxing is performed with particular caution on areas with fresh tattoos. It is necessary to wait about three months (determined by individual skin features) after the drawing. Then waxing of tattooed areas of the body with a wax mixture is acceptable, but it is necessary to observe certain conditions. Here is how to use wax melts.