Men and women of all ages shave and wax to enjoy smooth, hair free legs, underarms and other parts of the body. Whilst you may have a preference, its worth looking at the pros and cons of both shaving and waxing, and how they could affect or benefit the skin.

Pro’s of Shaving

Quick and easy routine that can be performed daily at home.
Razors and shaving creams are generally lower in cost, compared to salon waxes.
Shaving is not painful (unless done incorrectly)
Hair can be any length in order to remove.

Pro’s of Waxing

Skin can feel smoother after waxing.
Hair may grow in thinner over time.
Waxing can serve as a form of exfoliation.
Waxing only has to be repeated every 2 – 4 weeks.

Con’s of Shaving

Shaving could cause hair follicles to become inflamed. This could also result in ingrown hairs.
Dull blades could lead to razor burn and cuts – ouch!
Results only last for 1 – 3 days.

Cons of Waxing

Waxing can be painful. Hair is removed at the root which could be painful depending on your pain threshold.
Hot wax could burn your skin.
Waxing can cause hair follicles to become inflamed. This could result in ingrown hairs, redness and skin irritation.
Waxing female facial hair whilst using certain medications could lead to further problems such as infection and even scarring.
Your hair has to be ½-1cm in length to be waxed.

These two methods are entirely different. Wax will swiftly pull the hair from the root through repetitive (and often painful) tugs. Shaving is like giving the hairs on your body a trim – it’s only removed from the surface, leaving the root in tact. It differs from person to person as to which method they prefer.

Which method is best for which area?

Some people find that shaving is easier to perform on a day-to-day basis, especially for the underarms, legs and bikini area. Others prefer the long-term effects of waxing for these areas. For bikini areas, waxing is often preferred as it is more precise and can result in less razor bumps because of the delicate skin in this area.

Shaving Tips

First and foremost – never dry shave. Try to select a shaving cream over soap where possible, especially if you have sensitive skin. Its best to leave your shaving until the end of tyour shower, when your pores have had a chance to open, and the skin has softened. One of the main shaving misconceptions is that you need to shave against the grain. You should rather be shaving in the direction that your hair grows, as this will significantly decrease the likelihood of ingrown hairs occurring.

Waxing Tips

If you are planning on waxing from home, you will need to get educated on this skill first, as it is exactly that. A skill. There are so many factors that could go wrong, so it is best to learn how to wax correctly before you attempt it from home. Most importantly, you will need to keep an eye on the temperature of the wax, to avoid burning your skin. You’ll need to apply the wax effectively to ensure you “catch” the hairs, ready for extracting. You also need to be careful to pull the wax off correctly, as you will want to avoid pulling skin. If you have any doubts, or feel unprepared to wax from home, rather ask a professional from your local salon to assist.

In conclusion

Both waxing and shaving will get rid of unwanted and unnecessary hair. There are pro’s and con’s to both methods, with equal benefits and precautions. There is also always the option of laser hair removal, which is more expensive, but could be a more effective method for you in the long run.

At the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference, depending on your skin type and sensitivity. Happy hair removal!