How Long Does Waxing Actually Last? - Healthline

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How Long Does Waxing Actually Last?

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Jen Anderson on September 1, 2020

DIY vs. salon wax
Area that’s waxed
Compared to other hair removal
Typical growth cycle
Factors to consider
How to make results last
When to wax again
Takeaway

While it depends on many factors, results from waxing can last up to 6 weeks. You’ll probably start to see new hair growth around 3 to 4 weeks.

cropped view of a person using a home wax strip on their calf

How long waxing lasts depends on many things and may vary from person to person.

Does it depend on the type of wax used? Not necessarily. Both hard and soft waxes should last around the same length of time.

However, hard waxes can be more accurate at removing smaller hairs.

Hard wax, which is applied directly to the skin and removed without the assistance of strips, adheres to hairs as small as ⅙ of an inch.

This means that if you haven’t grown your hair out as long as necessary, or if your hair growth isn’t even, the wax will likely remove the smaller hairs in addition to the longer hairs.

Soft waxes, which require cloth strips for removal, exfoliate the top layer of the skin in addition to removing hair. This could mean that the smallest hairs don’t get removed.

What about DIY vs. professional waxing?

This certainly could impact the length between waxes.

If you go to a professional, they’re trained in waxing and likely perform waxes multiple times per day. This means they could be more accurate with their waxing.

If you DIY your wax and you haven’t done it many times before, you could be prone to more breakage.

Breakage happens when the wax doesn’t pull out the entire hair at the root, and instead it breaks it off at surface level. This means that the hair will grow back faster.

What about the area that’s waxed — does that matter?

Definitely. Hair grows at different rates and in different textures all over the body.

You’ve probably noticed that the hair on your legs is less coarse than the hair on your eyebrows or underarms.

Because of this, you might notice that your hair on your waxed legs will grow at a different rate than hair on your waxed eyebrows.

How does this compare to other forms of temporary hair removal?

Waxing isn’t the only form of hair removal to consider. Other forms can provide short-term or longer-term results.

Shaving

Shaving removes the hair at the surface level of the skin.

This method lasts anywhere from a couple of days to a week depending on how fast your hair grows.

However, some people find this method more suitable because it’s cheaper, easier to buy the materials for, and less painful than other forms of hair removal.

Sugaring

Sugaring will likely last the same length as waxing — up to 6 weeks, with new hair growth around 3 to 4 weeks.

A lot of people draw similarities between sugaring and waxing, which is why it’s sometimes referred to as the less painful version of waxing.

The paste — a combination of sugar, lemon, and water — is more suited for sensitive skin.

However, sugaring is less prone to hair breakage than waxing, so there’s a chance that sugaring could last slightly longer when done correctly.

Threading

Known for removing hair from the face and brows, threading pulls the hairs at the root.

Full regrowth of hair can take anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, depending on where you thread and how thick your hair is.

Epilating

Epilating, like waxing, removes hair from the root. It utilizes a device called an epilator that plucks hair as it glides across the skin.

You should expect similar results to waxing: around 3 to 4 weeks before regrowth occurs.

Unlike waxing, though, epilators tend to pick up the finer, shorter hairs that can be neglected with wax.

What does the growth cycle typically look like?

There are three steps in the cycle of hair growth.

Anagen phase. This first step is when the hair cells divide and hair sprouts and grows. About 90 percent of the hair on a human body is in this growth phase.
Catagen phase. In this very short period of transition, the hair separates from the base and the blood supply is cut off.
Telogen phase. During this final resting phase, hair is pushed out of the skin and falls out.

Once hair is removed or falls out, the growth cycle begins again.

What factors affect the way regrowth occurs?

Hormones, diet, and your DNA can affect your personal hair growth cycle.

A good hormone balance means stronger, healthier hair. So if you have an imbalance of hormones, this could negatively impact the rate and texture that your hair grows.

Your diet can also impact your hair growth. Experts recommend a balanced diet rich in fish, vitamin C, zinc, biotin, niacin, and iron to help nourish hair growth.

As well, your genetic makeup can make your hair growth look different from your friend’s hair growth.

It’s also believed that a consistent waxing routine can make hair grow back thinner and slower. So, the more you stick to waxing, the longer lasting and less painful it will be.

Is there anything you can do to help your results last longer?

There certainly is.

Dry or rough skin can make hair more prone to breakage, so remember to exfoliate and moisturize between waxing appointments.

Preventing ingrown hairs and bumps can also help keep your waxing in pristine condition. You can do so by moisturizing the area and applying ingrown hair oil.

At what point can you get waxed again?

Waxing technicians recommend waiting 6 weeks before your next wax.

You’ll want to grow your hair out to be 1/4-inch long, or around the size of a grain of rice. Just make sure it’s not longer than ½ inch, or you might have to trim it beforehand.

Resist the urge to shave, pluck, or poke at hairs until your waxing appointment to ensure smooth, even results.

What’s the bottom line?

Waxing should last anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks, depending on your personal hair growth, the location of your wax, and the accuracy of the application.

If you’re not sure waxing is for you, there are many other forms of hair removal that will last anywhere from days to weeks and even more long-term.

The most important part of hair removal is finding a solution that feels right for you and fits your needs.

Jen is a wellness contributor at Healthline. She writes and edits for various lifestyle and beauty publications, with bylines at Refinery29, Byrdie, MyDomaine, and bareMinerals. When not typing away, you can find Jen practicing yoga, diffusing essential oils, watching Food Network or guzzling a cup of coffee. You can follow her NYC adventures on Twitter and Instagram.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Bikini and Brazilian wax. (n.d.).https://waxcenter.com/pages/brazilian-waxing
Everything you need to know about offering body hair waxing services in your esthetics practice. (n.d.).https://www.estheticianedu.org/body-hair-waxing/
Hair removal: How to wax. (n.d.).http://aad.org/skin-care-basics/how-to-wax
What is the structure of hair and how does it grow? (2019).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546248/

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Jen Anderson on September 1, 2020

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