Waxing vs. Shaving: What Is the Best Method for Hair Removal?
Waxing vs. shaving: Which is the best option? Many ask this question when looking for the best method to remove hair. Undoubtedly considered the most popular, but is waxing better than shaving or vice versa?
We’ll discuss the benefits of waxing vs. shaving, the pros and cons of each for your skin, wallet, schedule, and which method might better suit your skin or hair type.
Table of Contents:
What is Shaving?
Shaving is a method of hair removal in which a razor cuts hair from the skin’s surface but not from the root. It’s the most widely used method.
Shaving with a razor removes hair in a way that’s not visible on the skin’s surface. Can be used from facial hair to full-body hair removal, lightly exfoliating the skin by picking up shedding skin in the process of removing hair.
READ: Brazilian vs. Bikini Wax
What is Waxing?
Waxing is a method of removing hair in which wax is heated and applied to the area containing unwanted hair. After applying, it’s removed by pulling it quickly off the skin and taking the hair follicles from the root.
Soft wax is a traditional form of wax that requires wax removal strips. Strips are placed over the wax, then pulled to remove from the skin. As pulled, the wax removes the hair at the follicle. Multiple strips are used when waxing large areas of the body.
Hard wax has surpassed soft wax as the main hair removal method as no strips are required to pull the wax. Instead, the wax is left to cool and set on the skin for a short period. Removed by gripping the edge of the wax and lifting it.
Waxing also exfoliates the skin by picking up dead skin cells. Compared to shaving, waxing exfoliates the skin more and leaves it looking and feeling smoother for longer.
READ: Waxing 101: What’s the Difference Between Soft Wax & Hard Wax?
How Long Does Waxing vs. Shaving Last?
There are many differences between waxing and shaving, but their biggest lies in how long each method lasts. Shaving is a short-term method, as the hair is cut close to the skin’s surface but not the root. How many times you have to shave varies from person and the area.
On the other hand, waxing is considered a semi-permanent hair removal method since it removes from the root. Allowing you to remain hair-free for much longer. Depending on how fast your hair grows, you can remain hairless for one to three weeks.
The benefits of waxing vs. shaving are important for busy professionals or anyone who doesn't want to devote time to having to shave every other day. Since waxing lasts longer, we’d say waxing takes the cake.
READ: Best Hard Wax for Easy Hair Removal
Because hair takes longer to grow back when waxing instead of shaving, it allows you to spend less time worrying about hair removal, and more time being productive with other things.
This is one of the many benefits of waxing vs. shaving, and it’s especially important for busy professionals, moms, dads, and anyone that doesn't want to be held back by having to shave every other day.
In this case, is waxing better than shaving? Since waxing lasts longer than shaving, we’d say waxing takes the cake. If you wake up late one day and don’t have time to shave your legs, you may have to reconsider your entire outfit for the day.
If your legs are waxed, it doesn’t matter what time you woke up since your shower doesn’t need to consist of spending extra time shaving!
READ: The Right Way to Prep Skin Before Waxing
Time Spent Waxing vs. Shaving
People usually shave around or during shower times. Whether shaving different areas, generally you can spend about 10-15 minutes doing so! This may not seem like a long time, but if you find yourself shaving every day or every other day, that time starts to add up.
Conversely, waxing is usually performed by professionals in a salon, though it can be done at home. The amount of time needed to wax varies depending on the type of wax session. Although it takes longer, you wax every few weeks.
With waxing consistently, hair takes longer periods to grow back and thinner than before. This results in faster sessions and saves you time.
READ: Waxing at Home: The Complete Beginner’s Guide
Costs of Shaving vs. Waxing
When comparing shaving vs. waxing costs, shaving is considered cheaper than waxing because all that’s needed is a razor and shaving cream. Nothing beats getting waxed by an esthetician.
However, getting waxed every few weeks might also be the priciest option, although it’s worth it if your concern is superior results and less hassle.
Though waxing at home can be expensive initially, it’s cheaper in the long run. To wax at home, you’d need these supplies to get started: for hard wax, you’ll need wax, a wax warmer, and applicator sticks.
With soft wax or a roll-on waxing system, add non-woven waxing strips into the mix.
Not forgetting pre and post-wax care products. Though Starpil’s high-quality, professional-grade items are all available to at-home users who want amazing results.
In this case, is waxing better than shaving? If you're on a budget, shaving is the best option for you, as it can be done anywhere, any time, with an upfront cost between a couple of dollars to $20. If your priorities are long-lasting results and a job done right, the benefits of waxing outweigh shaving.
READ: The Complete Guide to Buying a Waxing Kit
Which Areas Do Waxing and Shaving Work Best For?
Let’s go over some most popular body areas where shaving vs. waxing comes into question. The truth is that shaving vs. waxing depends on where you need the removal.
WAXING VS. SHAVING THE FACE
When it comes to shaving the upper lip vs. waxing it (or a beard), it comes down to personal preference. Many people will find shaving their upper lip easier, faster, and overall more convenient.
WAXING YOUR BEARD INSTEAD OF SHAVING
Many mustaches and beards are too thick to wax. The pain would be intense, and though the hair would thin out over time, shaving still wins for most people. For others, shaving the upper lip vs. waxing is a draw, depending on the hair thickness.
Both offer similar-lasting results since facial hair may grow faster than leg hair. It’s not true that hair grows back thicker after shaving it, so choosing whether to wax or shave facial hair comes down to preference, hair, and skin type.
Waxing vs. Shaving Eyebrows
For the rest of the face, especially the brows, waxing wins. Eyebrows are best performed by professionals specialized in perfecting your perfect brow shape.
For the perfect brows and facial waxing services, shop the Starpil Facial Waxing Kit.
Waxing vs. Shaving Pubic Hair
Waxing vs. shaving concerning pubic hair goes to waxing. Having a trained professional who can reach different areas beats doing yoga in the shower.
Additionally, waxing instead of shaving saves from having to shave such delicate areas every couple of days, but mostly this is up to preference.
BIKINI WAXING VS. SHAVING
Bikini wax vs. shaving also goes to waxing! Like waxing the rest of your pubic hair, it’s best removed from the root. Saving you from the irritation and bumps caused by constantly having to shave over this delicate area.
READ: Top Bikini Wax Styles for 2024
Shaving Underarms vs. Waxing
This one boils down to whether you want to remove hair from the underarms regularly in the shower every day or two or go for longer-lasting results with waxing every few weeks.
The same goes for chest hair. However, waxing results in smooth long-lasting results. With shaving, the chest can be stubby again by the next day.
Shaving vs. Waxing Legs
This is in the same category as waxing vs. pubic hair: if you want to shave large areas every other day or so, go with shaving. If you want smoother, long-lasting results for your legs: go with waxing.
READ: The Complete Guide to Leg Waxing
The Benefits of Waxing vs. Shaving
Since waxing and shaving are different methods, each has its drawbacks and benefits. Keep in mind these pros and cons of waxing vs. shaving also depend on what you consider to be a benefit and drawback!
PROS OF SHAVING
Revolving around its convenience and affordability. Razors are available at very reasonable prices at almost any convenience store, and you can shave in your own home.
However, the swiftness of the shaving process depends on the area you’re removing hair and how regularly you keep up with the removal.
CONS OF SHAVING
The cons of shaving revolve around their lack of long-term results and the side effects of shaving.
Shaving doesn’t remove hair at the root—only cuts the hair follicle at the skin’s surface. Allowing the hair to grow back at a quick pace and the blunt end that causes that prickly stubble feeling. Additionally, it has to be done very regularly, and even daily for certain areas - which can be inconvenient for those who experience lots of hair growth.
Not forgetting razor burn, irritation, and ingrown hairs. In this method, you often have to go over the area you wish to remove hair from multiple times, which can cause breakouts and inflammation.
PROS OF WAXING
Waxing pros are all about the long term results and convenience. Though you can buy razors at the grocery store, waxing services are still affordable and need to be done less often.
One appointment allows you to remove all hair from the desired area. These results last multiple weeks and can even thin out hair growth over time. In contrast to shaving, the value you’re receiving for the money you spend on your service is incomparable! Not to mention the irritation and razor burn caused by shaving. Quick, easy, and provide value.
CONS OF WAXING
Waxing cons involve some discomfort as it removes hair at the root, but abates quickly after the process is done.
Additionally, as is the case with any hair removal process, there’s a chance of inflammation or ingrown hairs from waxing. However, these side effects can be reduced with the proper pre and post-wax care routine.
Practicing a pre and post-wax skin routine also helps keep the skin exfoliated and ease discomfort caused by waxing. Before your appointment, always cleanse and exfoliate with Starpil’s Original Pre-Wax Gel to prepare skin. By ridding it of dead skin cells or debris, you’ll allow for an easier removal process.
The best way to avoid ingrown hairs or inflammation from waxing is to incorporate Starpil’s Ingrown Hair Serum into your post-wax care routine and apply it within 24 hours of your wax. As wel apply Starpil’s Original Post-Wax Lotion and Original Post-Wax Oil to freshly waxed skin to ease any inflammation and provide skin with hydration.
Shaving vs Waxing: What's Better for Your Skin?
No matter which way you look at it, waxing is better for your skin than shaving. Shaving frequently can cause red bumps, breakouts, discoloration, and hyperpigmentation from the friction made by constantly running a razor over delicate and sensitive skin, which isn’t something anybody wants!
In contrast, waxing the skin actually exfoliates and removes dead skin cells from the areas of hair removal, which lessens hyperpigmentation and discoloration (even when these conditions are caused by past shaving!). Practicing pre and post-wax care will also help to keep skin not only hair-free, but also smooth and free from inflammation and irritation.
The Verdict
Shaving and waxing are the two main methods used for removing unwanted hair, and each have their own respective strengths and shortcomings.
That being said, when taking a close look at the pros and cons of shaving vs. waxing, we can see that waxing is the best method to remove hair if you want the very best results and to keep your skin looking its best for longer.
When seeing a trained professional, waxing puts an end to ugly razor bumps, itchiness, and hyperpigmentation that causes areas of the body to turn darker than the rest.
Yes, shaving can save you when there is an unexpected party or event that you want to attend.
Still, after reading the benefits of waxing vs. shaving, it is clear why estheticians and other skin professionals will recommend waxing over shaving. Shaving is a quick fix, but waxing is the best!
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