How Long Does Hair Have to be to Wax Effectively?

When you go for a wax, the first question that usually comes to mind is how much is it going to hurt? Perhaps, a more important question may be, how long should your hair be to get waxed?

Most people who go for waxing usually think about how long they’ll be hairless, not how long their hair should be, to begin with.  So, you’re not alone if the thought never crossed your mind.

The truth is, hair length is one of a number of factors that can affect the results of your waxing experience, including hair type, skin type, and where you plan on waxing. While everyone’s skin, hair and pain tolerance varies, this is a general guideline of how long hair has to be in order to maximize your waxing experience.

How Long Should Hair be to Wax?

In general, hair length for waxing on any area of the body should be about ¼” before it’s waxed. Too long and it’ll break and be difficult to remove. Too short and the wax won’t be able to get a grip, elongated the waxing process and potentially causing more pain or irritation.

It can be hard to resist trimming back hair before or between wax appointments, but if it’s already around ¼”, avoid it. If the hairs aren’t properly pulled out because of length, it will mean that they’ll grow back faster and land you right back in the waxing chair. If you want to maximize the three to six hairless weeks a waxing session can give you then you must refrain, no matter the temptation.

The Importance of What and Where for Waxing

Something else to consider before waxing is what is your skin type and where you plan on waxing.

If you find that your skin is dry, the chances are that if you don’t moisturize before and after waxing, your skin will become more irritable and flaky.  If you’re oily, you might need to use baby powder before waxing and use lighter moisturizers.

How you prep your skin also depends on where you’re waxing. You usually don’t have to worry about oil on your arms and legs, but your face might require more attention. Different areas of the body grow hair differently as well.

Here’s a breakdown of waxing for different parts of the body:

How Long Does Pubic Hair Need to be for Waxing?

Pubic hair tends to grow a lot thicker than the hair on other areas of your body. This can make waxing easier as it offers more of a grip for the wax, but it’s important to also keep in mind the recommended hair length before waxing.

If your pubic hair is longer than ¼”, trim it back with a razor at home before your appointment, or call to see if your local salon can cut it back for you. The last thing you want is to cut it too short which can lead to a painful waxing experience.

How Long Should Hair be for a Brazilian Wax?

A Brazilian wax includes the entire pubic area, including everything front, back and in-between. Most people see this as the pinnacle of painful waxing, but it doesn’t have to be.

Pubic hair is thick, and a Brazilian wax hair length follows the general grow ¼” rule. It will allow for a smoother waxing session and longer lasting results.

How Long Does Leg Hair Have to be to Wax Effectively?

If you’re new to waxing, it can be almost painful to let your leg hair grow ¼” before a waxing appointment. Just remember that waxing will last a lot longer than shaving, with less stubble. And over time, there’s the potential that your hair will grow back thinner and slower.

How Long Should Armpit Hair be to Wax?

Letting your armpit hair grow can be painful to endure if you’re used to shaving every day. Just remember that allowing your armpit hair to grow out will be worth it when you don’t have to worry about shaving stubble for a few weeks.

The Perks of Going Professional

As you can see, there’s a lot of factors that go into waxing: hair length, hair type, skin type, level of sensitivity, etcetera, etcetera. It can be a lot to handle at home by yourself, and there's only so many questions a box of at-home wax can answer.

Unlike at-home waxing kits, a professional can determine what kind of hair removal wax is best for you. Soft Wax requires waxing strips, and if done right, can remove the top layer of dead skin along with fine hair. Hard wax adheres only to the hair itself and is good for places where hair grows thick, like the armpit and pubic area.

A professional will be able to answer any questions you might have the day of the appointment, as well as offer some needed tips depending on how they judge your skin and hair. They can also ensure waxing is done right, using professional waxing supplies and avoiding irritating the skin too much. If you have the time and the coin, consider going to a specialist -- they’re a professional for a reason after all.