Shaving vs. Waxing: Which Is Better, And Can They Coexist Peacefully?

Waxing and shaving may seem completely opposite to each other, but they are not: in fact, they can actually complement one another, especially during hot summer months. Clients often ask my Waxer Bees what they should do during vacations and beach season to avoid stubble and unsightly regrowth poking out of their panties! Here are some tricks we’ve learned along the way:

1. If you are a long-time shaver and a first-time waxer, make sure you grow out your hair in the area you’re planning to wax for at least two weeks before your appointment. Why? Because you need about a quarter inch of length for the wax to grab. If you go into an establishment with stubble, most reputable spas will turn you away until it has grown out to the proper length. However, some not so good places will try to wax it anyway, causing unnecessary friction and damage to your skin and follicles. They might get a few hairs, but it will be a complete waste of your time and money – and you could end up with folliculitis, irritated skin or just a feeling of frustration that the result wasn’t what you wanted. If you want smooth skin for a big event or vacation, we would rather you shave than come in with stubble, only to be turned away feeling disappointed.
2. After your initial two to four week grow out, make an appointment at a salon you’ve researched or at which you’ve received a great recommendation. Select a hair removal specialist who has been in the business for a long time. Don’t go the cheap route your first time; ensure you work with an experienced professional who understands skin care, hair growth and appreciates quality over quantity.
3. If you’ve been shaving for a long time, your first waxing appointment might leave you a little disappointed because the chances of shorter hairs being left over is high. Why is this? Well, hair grows in many different cycles; it has a mind of its own. Hair has elasticity to it, so when you shave, it might snap down into the follicle or sit on top of your skin, which is where shaving comes in! Go ahead and get your first wax but don’t get discouraged if you feel stubble or see hairs poking up after a few days. These are merely shaved hairs that haven’t grown out of the follicle yet. Just shave them for the next 10 to 14 days. At a certain point, your waxed hair will begin to grow back at the same rate and VOILA!, you get your perfect cycle of growth.
4. During winter, try to grow your hair for as long as you can. I would love it if clients could take six to eight weeks at some point during the year to grow it all out. I will sometimes recommend clients just do a traditional bikini wax clean up (just the sides) and let everything else go native in order to get all your hair on the same grow-out cycle!
5. I’ve gotta be honest, over the years I’ve frowned at clients who turn to shaving between waxes, but now I understand that it can actually help in emergencies. I’ve had clients who’ve been waxing for years shave in an emergency, and because their hair has become so sparse and light from years of waxing, they have no issue with coarse and irritated grow out.

* I don’t recommend shaving your face. My recommendations are for bikini, legs and underarms only.  I’m a big fan of a little peach fuzz on your punum since it can act as an SPF.