Hard Wax vs. Soft Wax: What’s the Difference?
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Waxing is a safe and efficient way to remove unwanted body hair. It removes the hair by the root, which makes the area smoother for longer compared to shaving. There are two types of wax available for hair removal, hard wax and soft wax, but what’s the difference? What are the pros and cons of each?
Hard Wax
Hard wax is the better option when treating smaller, more sensitive areas like the bikini area, underarms or face. That’s because hard wax only adheres to the hair, not the skin, so while it pulls the hair out, it doesn’t damage delicate skin. It is usually formulated for terminal hair, which is thick and coarse.
Hard wax hardens on the skin, which means you can just pull it off with your fingers, so there is no need for waxing strips. Since it doesn’t adhere to the skin, you can re-treat areas where you may have missed some hair.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Gentle on the skin
- Good for small, sensitive areas
- No need for waxing strips
- Less painful to remove
- Less residue left behind
Cons:
- Can leave behind soft hair
Soft Wax
Soft wax is the fastest, easiest wax for applying to large, less sensitive areas, like your back, arms, and legs. It is usually formulated to adhere to vellus hair, which is the soft peach fuzz like hair. Soft wax adheres to the top layer of skin, as well as your hair, so when the wax is pulled off, skin is removed too. Wax strips are used to remove soft wax.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Good for larger areas of the body
- Does not need to be as precise
Cons:
- Requires wax strips
- Should avoid retreating areas
Please see a specialist for safe and sanitary waxing practices.
Check out Florida Academy’s Programs
If you love the idea of becoming a skin professional and learning about facials, waxing, body wrapping and more, the Skin Care program and Professional Esthetics program at Florida Academy is a great place to get started.
Featuring interactive classes and hands-on training, this program is designed to give students the knowledge and skills for a career in skin care. Whether you’re looking to pursue a new career or to get more training, the Skin Care program or the Professional Esthetics program at Florida Academy can help. Apply Now.