The Benefits of Waxing Your Underarms Can’t be Overstated
If you’re finding that your armpits get prickly pretty quickly after shaving with a razor, underarm waxing may be for you. When you wax your armpits, you get long-lasting hair-free results and often smoother skin to boot.
Here’s everything you need to know about putting down the razor and opting to wax your underarms.
Why should I wax my armpits?
While we all want to feel and look our best, adding to our daily routine can feel daunting. You’re busy and we get that. Maintaining hair-free underarms takes significant upkeep when you shave. That’s because the hair grows back quickly, meaning that you have to reach for a razor often every time you hit the shower.
Luckily, your underarms are another area that can benefit from a waxing routine (that’s much less frequent than traditional shaving).
Shaving vs. Waxing: What’s the Deal?
Shaving your armpits has a convenience factor. It isn’t something you need much practice at to achieve results and most of us already have a razor at home. And while razors may seem inexpensive in comparison to a waxing service, you have to consider the hidden costs.
Disposable razors are affordable, but aren’t great for your skin. They’re dull easily, causing pulling, tearing, and unwanted knicks in this sensitive area. All of this skin irritation can cause rashes, pimples, and ingrown hairs — not to mention the snowball effect of searching for non-irritating shaving creams and ointments to help soothe these skin issues.
You can of course invest in a higher-end razor, which may offer improved results, but will also increase the cost significantly and won’t reduce the frequency at which you’ll need to shave.
Waxing, on the other hand, offers much longer-lasting results. When done correctly, an underarm wax will leave your skin soft and smooth for weeks at a time — without the need for a razor needed between service appointments.
Why? Armpit waxing offers the quick and complete removal of hair from an entire area, gripping it at the root. This process rids hair of the tip under the surface — this is often the culprit that causes itchiness or discomfort after a shave, and can leave that dark “stubble” look.
And here’s some more good news. If you stick with a consistent waxing routing, over time your underarm hair may thin or stop growing altogether (praise be!).
How To Prepare For An Armpit Wax
Sold on losing the underarm stubble with a waxing service? If you’ve been waxed elsewhere, this may be a unique experience. Armpit waxing often feels different than waxing other areas of the body because it requires less wax over a smaller surface area and the skin is less sensitive. Many clients find it quick, easy, and painless.
To ensure that you have a great service, we always recommend minimizing caffeine and alcohol intake before a wax, as both are stimulants and can add to skin sensitivity. Another good rule of thumb is to avoid swimming or tanning beds for 24 hours prior to your appointment. The chemicals used in swimming pools can dry and irritate your skin, and tanning lotions and UV rays can do the same. For best results, you want your skin well rested, well hydrated, and free from any added lotions or fragrance.
How long should my armpit hair be for a wax?
In order for the wax to easily grip the hair, your armpit hair should be about ¼ inch long — that’s about the length of a grain of rice. For most of us, this is about two weeks of growth after your last wax (or sooner if you’ve been shaving with a razor).
The Importance of Exfoliation Can’t be Overstated
The day before your wax, be sure to exfoliate the underarm area. This softens the hair and skin and does wonders to prevent ingrown hairs post-wax. Try our Skin Perfecting Body Scrub as your exfoliation go-to, pre and post-wax.
Skip the deodorant, not the shower
Showering before your appointment is recommended for removing excess sweat and bacteria, but we understand that you may be coming from work, school, or brunch and won’t have a chance to rinse off. No sweat! We have personal wipes on hand for cleansing your underarm area to remove excess deodorant.
When waxing, lingering deodorant can contribute to clogged pores or dampen the effectiveness of the wax, so it’s super important that any excess is removed prior to an underarm service.
And while we’re on the topic, we’re pretty passionate about taking care of our pits. To remove build-up and odour-causing bacteria we love Routine’s Dirty Hipster Armpit Tool. It also provides lymphatic drainage which helps keep our body's tissues healthy and functioning properly. And as a bonus, this brand is woman-run, Calgary-based, and all natural — and we’re all about it.
We love this type of armpit tool because it works better than a regular loofah or dry brush. It’s perfectly rounded to fit into your armpit and is made of antibacterial copper. You’ll see them online and at the Wax Bar next time you’re in.
Underarm after-wax care
After care is equally important to waxing prep. And, it’s also quite similar.
Following your underarm waxing service, we recommend that you avoid tanning or any strenuous activity for 24 hours. This gives your skin a chance to relax and recover without added irritation. Likewise, skip the heavily-scented products for a day or two, but feel free to try a gentle natural deodorant like those from Routine.
You’re Underarm Waxing Ready
Consider yourself (under)armed with all the info you need to decide between shaving and waxing your underarms.
If you’re ready to test-drive smoother, more long-lasting results with less irritation, now’s a great time to book a service. Ahead of your appointment, you can stock up on an exfoliating scrub, pick up a stick of natural deodorant, and prepare with a bacteria-busting armpit tool — all tools to help you get the most out of your service.
We can’t wait to see you at the Wax Bar!