Back waxing is a very tricky thing to do on your own, as it requires a lot of skill to perform correctly because it’s hard to reach your hands around your back, and it’s very easy to hurt yourself or irritate your skin. Therefore, most men prefer to do it in a salon where professionals can take care of the matter for them. But, if you feel like doing it yourself, join us for this quick read to discover how.
The Difference Between Waxing and Shaving:
Before we dive into the specifics, let’s understand the main differences between waxing and shaving your back. This way, you’ll have a clearer idea of what suits your preferences best.
Method:
Waxing:
Back waxing requires covering the hair on the back with a warm or heated wax. After that, the hair is extracted from the pores by pressing a cloth or paper sheet over the wax and swiftly pulling it off.
Shaving:
Back shaving is the process of shaving the hair at the outer layer of the skin with a razor or an electric trimmer. Here, the primary distinction is that, unlike waxing, back shaving does not remove hair from the base.
Duration of Results:
Waxing:
As the hair is removed from the root, men's back waxing results typically last longer than shaving ones. The time it takes for hair to regrow could be several weeks.
Shaving:
Shaving offers a more temporary option because hair regrows quickly. After all, it wasn’t removed from the roots. It often regrows in just a matter of days.
Regrowth and Texture:
Waxing:
Repeated waxing procedures can cause a gradual decrease in the thickness of the hair because they remove hair from the root, which typically results in regrown hair that is smoother and thinner than shaved hair on men’s backs.
Shaving:
When shaved hair grows back, it usually tends to have a sharp edge and may feel rougher than waxed hair. This is one of the downsides of using this method for many men.
Pain and Discomfort:
Waxing:
Back waxing for men might hurt more than shaving, particularly for those with delicate skin. It can be uncomfortable to remove hair from the root.
Shaving:
Although shaving usually causes less pain and requires less experience than a professional, it’s important to note that improper technique might result in razor burn, inflammation, or ingrown hairs.
Equipment and Skill:
Waxing:
It's usually advised to have a professional cosmetologist handle back waxing because the procedure calls for competence in both applying and removing the wax.
Shaving:
Shaving is a more accessible alternative for people who would rather take care of hair removal on their own because it can be done at home using electric or razor shavers.
How to Wax Back Hair Properly:
It's generally advised to get back waxing done by a professional cosmetologist or at a salon, as previously discussed in the blog, as it can be somewhat difficult to perform on your own. If you're keen to give it a shot, though, here's a simple how-to for back waxing at home:
Materials and Method:
Waxing Kit:
Get yourself back waxing equipment that comes with wax, sticks for applying wax, and waxing sheets. Several kinds of wax are accessible, such as sugaring wax, cold wax strips, and hot wax, the choice is completely yours.
Cleanse Your Skin:
Start by giving your back's skin a thorough cleaning. To get rid of any sweat, oil, or filth, try using a gentle cleanser. It's important to completely dry your back before getting started.
Trim Some of The Hair if Necessary:
If the hair on your back grows too long, you might want to try cutting it to a length of 1/4 to 1/2 inch. This can facilitate, speed up, and improve the efficacy of the waxing procedure.
Test The Wax First:
To make sure you don't have an unpleasant response, do a tiny patch test on a less delicate region of your skin before applying the wax to a larger area.
Heat The Wax:
Heat the wax according to the directions on the box of waxing supplies; be careful not to heat it excessively, since this could result in serious burns.
Apply The Wax:
Using the end of the applicator stick, apply a thin coating of wax in the general direction of hair growth. To guarantee that your back is evenly covered, work in little segments.
Place The Waxing Strip:
Press down tightly and swiftly over the applied wax using a waxing strip. To make removal easier, leave a tiny piece of the strip extended.
Remove The Strip:
Keeping the skin firm with one hand, swiftly draw the strip parallel to the skin, not straight up, opposing the direction of hair growth with the other.
Clean Up The Residue:
After you're done with the waxing procedure, Use the post-waxing oil or cleanser that was provided with the waxing equipment to remove any remaining wax residue from your skin.
Soothe Your Skin:
Following back waxing, it's crucial to relax the skin and minimize redness by using an alcohol-free moisturizer or aloe vera gel to prevent further skin irritation.
General Tips for Back Waxing:
Make sure to follow the instructions word for word to avoid any complications.
If you are unable to reach some particular areas of your back, ask a friend to help you out or leave it until you have the chance to go to a salon.
Be ready for some pain and discomfort, especially if it’s your first time waxing your back. It’s not a walk in the park.
If you have sensitive skin, it’s best if you leave the waxing procedure to the professionals because no matter how careful you are, you still might end up hurting yourself and irritating your skin.
You can always take some over-the-counter pain relievers before waxing.
Bottom Line:
Waxing your back isn’t an easy process, it requires skill and experience. To avoid hurting yourself, try to go to a salon where you can get your back waxed professionally with less amount of pain and discomfort.