Waxing vs shaving: Which is best?
Is waxing or shaving better for your skin?
First off, it’s worth saying that everyone’s skin is different. You know your skin best, so always pick the right hair removal method that works for you.
Is shaving better than waxing for your skin? No matter what you do to prepare before a wax, it’s going to hurt. After all, the process involves ripping out your hair from the follicle. Waxing may not be suited to those with very sensitive skin or those who can’t tolerate pain.
Shaving, on the other hand, is pretty much pain-free. With the right prep and sharp blades, you’re unlikely to experience ingrown hairs or nicks either.
Our winner: shaving (but it might be worth trying out gentle wax strips on your face).
Waxing vs shaving: Which is better for results?
Whether you’re removing all unnecessary hair or just shaving the bits on show, we all want super-smooth results from our shaving or waxing routine.
Waxing removes your hair from the follicle. For that reason, your results will last longer. But remember, you’ll likely experience tenderness for a few days after a wax. Plus, hair needs to be a certain length for waxing to work, so you’ll have to leave your hair to grow between waxes.
Shaving, on the other hand, cuts your hair at the skin’s surface. You’ll notice regrowth more quickly but won’t have to deal with any soreness or pain afterwards. Plus, you can shave every few days - or even every day - if you want to.
Our winner: it’s kind of up to you (but we prefer shaving, obviously).
Is waxing or shaving best for my face?
Should you shave or wax facial hair? Really, it’s up to you. Contrary to popular opinion, shaving your face won’t make your hair grow back thicker or darker. But it might cause irritation if you don’t use a new blade and face-friendly products.
Instead, you could use dedicated facial wax strips. These are designed to be used on this delicate area and small enough to target specific areas (like your brows or upper lip). Pick no-heat wax strips if you’re doing it at home; you don’t want to mess about with hot wax near your eyes or mouth.
Our winner: waxing
Which is cheaper: waxing or shaving?
We get it. Staying on top of your grooming routine can be expensive. If you’re looking for silky-smooth skin without denting your bank balance, shaving is your best bet. Heading to the salon for professional waxing can add up, especially if you’re tackling multiple areas. Plus, at-home wax kits are often single-use and don’t always give the best results. Our top tip? Invest in a reusable handle and replace the blades when you need to. Our razor subscription option is economical while making sure you’ve always got fresh blades on hand.
Our winner: shaving
Is waxing or shaving better for convenience?
Who’s got time to spend ages on hair removal? Not us. Whether you’re thinking about shaving or waxing, the process should be effortless.
Shaving is definitely the most convenient hair removal method. It’s as simple as hopping in the shower when you want to de-fuzz. Our razor subscription service makes it even easier because you get premium blades delivered direct to your door.
While waxing might last longer, you’ve still got to deal with that awkward growing-out phase. It often takes around 30 minutes to get a professional wax as well, whereas we spend around 10 minutes shaving in the shower. Plus, you’ve got to factor in time travelling to and from your wax appointment.
Our winner: shaving
Is waxing or shaving better for the environment?
While single-use razors are definitely not environmentally friendly, waxing isn’t that great either. Many of the wax strips used in salons are made from paper or plastic, which often can’t be recycled after use. Plus, synthetic wax is made from a type of plastic too. Our solution? A razor recycling system that really works. Simply save up your razors, post them back to us, and we’ll separate them ready for recycling. Our reusable razor handles are made from metal, and all our shaving product tubes are made from recycled plastic, which can be recycled again!
Our winner: shaving (but choose a sustainable option)
Hair removal cream vs waxing and shaving
Hair removal creams can be one of the easiest ways to remove body hair but you need to be aware of the disadvantages when compared to shaving and waxing.
Hair removal creams contain specific chemicals that are designed to eliminate hair by dissolving its shaft. If we compare this to waxing, hair removal creams won’t remove hair from its roots like waxing does.
Hair removal creams are typically known for their unpleasant smell due to the strong chemicals in use. This smell won’t last though and disappears after you wash the area with water.
The other thing to consider with hair removal creams is that it doesn’t guarantee long lasting results like waxing does. The results will be short lived and your hair may start growing back after a week or even a few days. Waxing is a longer lasting hair removal method as results can last up to 6 weeks.
Waxing FAQs
Does waxing cause any side effects?
Waxing can achieve longer lasting results but it’s important to know what the possible side effects may be. We’ve listed below a few of the most common side effects you may experience when waxing your skin.
Pain - this may seem like a very obvious one to start with but it’s still worth pointing out because if you’d rather remove your hair pain free, it may be worth opting for shaving instead of waxing!
Redness and Irritation - waxing can cause redness and irritation temporarily after use. It’s normal for freshly waxed skin to be pink or red and sensitive to touch. Avoid using alcohol based products on your skin after waxing as these may burn slightly. This redness should disappear by the following day but you can always apply a cold compress to help during this initial post waxing period.
Rash - whilst redness and irritation is usually temporary, you may experience a rash after waxing. This has the potential to last longer than a day and if the rash gets worse, we would recommend to stop using the product immediately.
Ingrown hairs - you may think that ingrown hairs are mostly associated with shaving, but waxing can also increase the risk of ingrown hairs. To lower the rist of ingrown hairs whilst waxing, ensure you pull the strips in the opposite direction of your hair growth.
Allergic reaction - there are lots of waxing products out there, all of which have different ingredients so the risk of a reaction is a possibility. We always recommend performing a test of a small section of your skin. If there is no rash within 24 hours, the product is safe for you to use.
Temporary bumps - after you’ve waxed, you may see bumps appear on your skin. Don’t worry as these tend to be temporary and you can apply calming cream to help soothe these bumps.
Will waxing reduce hair growth?
Waxing will leave your skin hair free for roughly 3-6 weeks and will reduce the volume of hair present. However, waxing doesn’t alter the thickness or growth rate of your hair.
Does waxing darken skin?
The short answer is yes. After waxing, you may see that your skin is slightly darker, or dark spots appear due to the hot wax and the ripping action. Waxing also leaves your skin more vulnerable to the sun and tanning beds so always be well prepared for this after a waxing session!
