Unwanted hair, unsightly hair, and hair that is growing where you do not want it means the need for hair removal. One popular form of hair removal is waxing. This is a semi-permanent form of hair removal, that removes hair for about two to eight weeks.

One of the biggest advantages of waxing is that you can use this form of hair removal on almost any area of your body. You can wax your face, eyebrows, legs, underarms, arms, back, feet, bikini area, chest, abdomen, etc. People use this form of hair removal to get rid of unsightly hair in all sorts of places. It is low risk, and it means immediate results, which usually means that it is a quick fix that lasts longer than shaving, and is relatively inexpensive.

One of the benefits of waxing is that if done long enough, and for enough years, it can results in permanent results.

Waxing is a great choice for hair removal, but it is not right for everyone. Let's look at some things you should know about waxing:

First, let's look at the way waxing is done:

Waxing is fairly uncomplicated. It is done by spreading a wax combination thinly over the skin. This wax is heated, but should not be too hot or it will burn. You apply wax to the area where you want hair removed. You apply it in the direction the hair grows, and in small sections. Once the wax is on the area where you want hair removed, you put a cloth or paper strip on top of it and press it down. Then you rip the strip off quickly in the direction against which the hair grows, so in other words in the opposite direction in which you applied the wax in the first place. This is called strip waxing, and it is painful, but very effective. Basically the wax will adhere to the hairs, but not the skin, so when the wax is pulled off, it pulls the hair out by the roots, removing them. When the area you want free of hair is all waxed, you then use tweezers to pull out any stray hairs the wax did not get. Because the wax will pull out hair, and unwanted dead skin cells the skin is left very soft, and hair free.

If you have really sensitive skin you may want to consider using hard wax as opposed to strip wax. In this case, the wax is applied somewhat thickly and with no cloth or paper strips. After the wax hardens and cools, it can be removed by the professional without the aid of cloths.

Before you wax, you have to let your hair grow out some. It is best to have the hair be a quarter of an inch long. If it is shorter than that, waxing does not work well, and if it is longer, then the waxing is more painful.

Second, let's look at who does the waxing:

Depending on how you wax will determine who does it. It is possible to do waxing at home, and in this case, you would wax yourself, or have someone you know help you. This can be more difficult, and often if you do not have a high pain tolerance you may give up part way. Most agree that you should see a professional. Since various types of waxing are available, you could do some yourself, like your feet, and have a professional do the rest. A professional is a licensed cosmetologist or esthetician.

Third, let's look at what you can wax:

Really you can wax just about anything, this is because wax does not usually cause any sort of reaction. However, the most popular areas to wax are as follows:

Eyebrow waxing
Bikini, Male genital, & Hollywood/Brazilian waxing
Leg waxing
Arm/underarm waxing
Back waxing
Foot waxing
Chest waxing
Entire body wax

Although most parts of the body can be waxed, other areas are not often considered, as they are rarely waxed. The places you should not wax include the inside the ears and nose as well as eyelashes, eyelids, the palms of the hands, and the soles of the feet. These areas are of particular concern due to sensitive skin that can be severely damaged if waxed. In addition to that, if you are going to wax areas around your genitalia or nipples you want to use a professional, as the areas could be damaged by the wax if not given proper consideration.

Fourth, let's look at the pros and cons of waxing:

There are many benefits to waxing versus other forms of hair removal, however there are cons as well.

Pros of waxing:
1.    It is an effective method to remove large amounts of hair at one time. Basically, unlike other methods, such as laser hair removal, etc. you see immediately results, and can remove plenty of hair.
2.    It is a long-lasting method. While not permanent, the hair in waxed areas will not grow back for two to eight weeks. Basically, this gives you at least a week or more over other methods. The reasons is that when hair is shaved or removed by depilatory cream, the hair is removed at the surface rather than the root. So, in other words, within a few days, the hair can be seen at the surface. In addition to that, with these methods, hair tends to grow back in a rough stubble, but with waxing it does not.
3.    Areas that are repeatedly waxed over long periods of time often exhibit regrowth that is softer, and lighter.
4.    Waxing also removed dead skin cells leaving skin smooth.

Cons of waxing:
1.    Waxing can be painful. The pain comes when the strip is removed from the skin. Although the pain is short-lasting, it can be very uncomfortable, and for those with a low pain threshold, unbearable.
2.    Waxing is expensive. While not as expensive as other methods, and while it lasts a while, helping to justify the expense, waxing is usually performed by a licensed cosmetologist, and the cost can be very high.
3.    Difficulty of use. If you opt for the do-it-yourself waxing supplies, they may be difficult to use on oneself on some areas on the body.  So, the cheaper methods may not be an option.
4.    Hair removal is not permanent.
5.    More noticeable hair growth if performed improperly. Basically if you do it yourself and do not use a professional you run the risk of causing your hair to grown back in different directions, and be more noticeable. It can also make other methods of hair removal more difficult. Fortunately, this risk is negligible if the waxing is performed properly.
6.    Unsightly reaction. Many people experience ingrown hairs, red bumps, and minor bleeding, which can make the waxed areas unsightly, which sort of defeats the purpose. This is more likely to occur with men who are waxing areas with thick hair, especially the first few times when follicles are strongest. This can be helped some by cleansing well with an astringent and oil, and by exfoliating after getting waxed.

Fifth, let's look at why people like waxing:

Even though we just looked at the pros and cons of waxing, it does not give you a clear idea of why people choose this hair removal option, basically it is because out of the various methods available, waxing hair removal is one of the most popular, for three reasons:

1.    inexpensive compared to many hair removal options
2.    convenient (can be done at home), and is offered by many salons
3.    lasts for some weeks in most cases meaning infrequent visits

Sixth, let's look at the different wax types:

Basically there are two types, hot waxes and cold waxes, and within these there are some variation, but very little.

Good hot waxes melt just above body temperature. They are melted so that they will easily spread thinly over the skin. As they harden they trap the hair in the wax so it is removed by the roots when the wax is ripped off.

Cold waxes generally come as pre-coated strips which can be pressed directly onto the skin. The hair sticks to the wax and is then removed with the quick pull back action. This form of waxing is known as Persian waxing.

Seven, let's look at how waxing affects the skin:

Most people do not react to wax, however, some have skin reactions. Basically the wax removes dead skin cells, and leaves the skin soft, and little or no other reaction occurs.

Eight, let's look at the risks of waxing:

While the risks of waxing are minimal, some physicians do not recommend hair waxing for persons suffering from diabetes, and do not recommend it to people with varicose veins either as they may be more susceptible to infection. In addition to that, users of Retin-A, Renova, Differin or Accutane are advised not to use hair waxing on the face because the facial skin may be weaker because of the medication, and waxing could cause it to tear. Lastly, you should not use wax on areas that are already infected, skin that is broken, has pimples, warts, is peeling, etc.