Waxing

Waxing Seattle & Tacoma

At some point in our lives, most people determine their preferred method of hair removal. Whether it be shaving, waxing, or some other technique, most people become used to their routines. However, sometimes, especially for women, hair removal is troublesome, takes too much time, and often does not yield the desired results. This is when someone may choose to seek out professional hair removal services such as waxing. The master estheticians at Seattle Plastic Surgery provide the best waxing Seattle and Tacoma offers.

Understanding How & Why Waxing Works

Waxing is a form of temporary hair removal that uses heated wax to trap and pull hair out of the follicle. It comes in many different forms. The most familiar form for most is at-home kits and strips that one can apply to themselves to remove hair. While effective, they often leave patchy results and have to be performed more frequently. Additionally, certain areas such as the back, Brazilian, and back of the legs can be exceptionally hard to do yourself.

Professional waxing usually involves the application of wax and then the removal with either strips or by hand. Waxes available in these settings are of better quality and more effective at removing hair. Clients usually experience longer lasting, smoother results from professional techniques versus at home methods.

Since wax pulls the hair from the follicle, it takes longer to grow back. Additionally, it is finer and the tip less coarse. This prevents the stubble felt after shaving. So, even when the hair grows back, it is less noticeable and still remains fairly smooth.

History Of Temporary Hair Removal

Hair removal, especially for women, became a beauty standard or religious tenant as early as Ancient Egypt and India. Early forms included copper razors, tweezers, and pumice stones. Early forms of waxing used a sugar mixture that hardened and pulled the hair from the follicles. This is similar to modern sugaring.

While hair removal trends were common among the elite, such as the Elizabethan trend to pluck out their eyebrows. However, hair removal was not as common among everyday people until the 19th and 20th centuries. Due to various literature and magazines, smooth skin became highly associated with femininity and beauty. This leads women to find ways to regularly remove their body hair.

Benefits

Beyond total, temporary hair removal, waxing does come with many benefits for people to consider when choosing the right hair removal technique. Some of the benefits and advantages include:

• Smooth, hairless skin that can last four to six weeks
• Quick and efficient hair removal
• Reduces ingrown hairs
• Removes dead surface skin, providing basic exfoliation
• Warm wax application often soothing
• Eliminates the risk of razor burn
• Cuts or abrasions less likely
• Better for treating sensitive areas
• Performed by an experienced master esthetician

Possible Hair Removal Areas

Almost any area where you have unwanted hair can be waxed. This includes the face and body for both men and women. Some of the most commonly treated areas include:

• Chin
• Brows
• Chest
• Neck
• Stomach
• Arms
• Legs
• Bikini
• Brazilian
• Back
• Buttocks
• Hands
• Feet

You can address multiple areas at once and each area tends to take between five and thirty minutes. Therefore, you can expect your appointment to be roughly a half hour to an hour.

Candidates For Waxing

Waxing is not right for everyone. Some people may find more benefit from other hair removal techniques such as laser hair removal. The right candidate for a wax service may have qualities like:

• 18 or over (certain areas can be performed on teenagers under 18)
• Have unwanted hair
• Hair is at least a ¼ inch thick
• Prefer a smoother finish
• Do not want to shave or remove hair between sessions
• Can withstand quick, temporary discomfort
• Do not have a major breakout or skin condition in the treatment area
• May not be a good candidate for laser hair removal
• Are not currently taking or have recently taken harsh acne medications

Most people are good candidates. Those who may not be suitable are those who are on certain medications. In some cases, once they stop the medication, after some time, they can undergo waxing. If you are having a facial wax and recently had a chemical peel, microneedling, or other similar procedure, you will want to wait at least two to four weeks.

Before & After A Wax Service

Before

Before undergoing a waxing procedure at Seattle Plastic Surgery, you will meet with a master esthetician to discuss your needs. They will describe the procedure, ensure you are a candidate, and provide instructions on how to prepare for your appointment. In some cases, they may proceed with waxing the same day.

If you have a few days to prepare, your master esthetician will instruct you on the appropriate hair length. They will also instruct you not to tan, the best clothing to wear, and anything else specific to your care.

Day Of

You will start your waxing appointment by undressing as necessary. You will be provided garments to maintain modesty and keep comfortable. Your master esthetician will then disinfect and clean the treatment areas as the wax heats. They may use soft or hard wax depending on the area and your needs.

Once an appropriate temperature, your master esthetician will use a stick to gently apply the wax. They will either let it harden, or use a strip to remove it. They will repeat this process until all of the hair is removed from the treatment area. This usually takes around twenty minutes. It may take longer if treating multiple areas, or for larger places like the back or chest.

Aftercare

Waxing does not require any major downtime. People can return to work and their normal lives immediately post wax. However, you will need to make a few changes for a couple of days. Some of the aftercare instructions may include:

• Avoid hot showers, saunas, or submerging the area for a day
• Wear loose, breathable clothing
• Do not partake in heavy exercise that will cause sweating
• Keep yourself and others from touching the area
• Avoid using beauty products in the treated area for about a day

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Will I Need To Be Waxed?

On average, patients need to come in every four to six weeks. The amount of time between sessions may increase if you stay consistent. It may be shorter for those just beginning to wax regularly. It can also vary naturally between people. You and your master esthetician will examine your regrowth and can reschedule sooner or later, if necessary.

What’s The Difference Between Hard And Soft Wax?

When applied, a hard wax hardens and is pulled off by your master esthetician. No strips or tools are typically used. Soft wax is applied–and while it may harden slightly–a strip or other tool is adhered to the wax and used to remove it from the skin. Your master esthetician may utilize soft or hard wax based on the body area, hair type, and skin specifics.

Can Men Get Waxed?

Of course! While men tend to remove less of their body hair, some men may want to remove hair from specific areas such as the back, chest, or neck. If a man dislikes shaving their face, they can also have their face waxed to keep the clean shaven look longer.

How Much Does It Hurt?

Pain and discomfort are subjective and vary widely between clients. With that said, waxing is not exactly comfortable for most people. However, it is quick, bearable for most, and comes with almost instant relief. Your master esthetician may also apply certain products to soothe your skin after your treatment. Also, most pre and post treatment protocols are designed to limit discomfort and irritation.

What Are Some Tips If It’s Your First Time Getting Waxed?

Getting waxed for the first time can be nerve wracking. This is completely understandable. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when going in for your first wax:

• Do not be afraid to ask questions
• Take some ibuprofen before your appointment if concerned about the pain
• Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing
• For a Brazilian or bikini wax, try to schedule a week or so after your cycle as this is when you are least sensitive to pain
• Plan to relax the rest of the day

The Best Medical Grade Waxing In Seattle

Seattle Plastic Surgery is a premier plastic surgery clinic and medical spa located in the First Hill neighborhood. Our private consultation and treatment rooms keep you comfortable before, during, and after your procedure. Seattle Plastic Surgery provides the best waxing services Seattle and Tacoma offer.

Our master estheticians have the same education and background as traditional estheticians. However, their masters in esthetics mean that they carry more extensive medical knowledge and can perform procedures that treat the skin. This makes more than qualified to perform waxing procedures as well as more advanced hair removal such as laser hair removal.

To learn more and schedule a consultation, call us at 206-324-1120. You can also reach out online via Price Simulator, chat, and contact form.