Although waxing can be painful, it offers longer-lasting results than shaving or using hair removal creams. Explore more images of personal hygiene routines.
Adam Gault/Digital Vision/Getty ImagesWaxing is often a preferred choice over the daily chore of shaving. Yes, waxing is painful, but it’s understandable considering you're pulling out large amounts of hair. However, one key advantage of waxing is that it lasts for weeks, much longer than many other methods of hair removal.
Unlike shaving, which only removes hair at the skin’s surface, or hair removal creams that work just beneath the surface, waxing eliminates hair straight from the follicle. This is why it takes longer for hair to grow back. In fact, many individuals can go for weeks before needing another session at the salon [source: Roberts-Grey]. Salons typically offer half-leg waxes (for above or below the knee) and full-leg waxes. A half-leg wax generally takes around 30 minutes, while a full-leg wax takes about 45 minutes [source: Bickmore].
The frequency of your waxing sessions depends on how quickly your hair grows. Some people can go over a month between sessions, while most people typically wait around two weeks [source: Roberts-Grey]. There's a theory that regular waxing might eventually slow down hair growth by weakening or even killing hair follicles, but this claim has not been proven [source: Barba]. The type of wax you choose, whether it's a half-leg or full-leg wax, will also impact how often you'll need to return to the salon. If you're feeling adventurous, you can always try waxing your own legs with a DIY kit. Ultimately, how often you should wax is up to personal preference. Check out the next page for more tips on leg waxing.
