How long does a wax last? And does waxing make hair grow back thinner?

Why waxing lasts longer than shaving

Shaving cuts hair at the surface, so stubble shows within a day or two. Waxing removes the whole hair, root included. The follicle has to grow a new hair from scratch, which takes weeks.

Not every hair is on the same schedule, though. Hair grows in cycles, and at any moment some follicles are growing, some are resting, and some are about to shed. A wax removes the hairs that are there. The ones that were still hidden below the surface appear over the next weeks, which is why regrowth is gradual rather than all at once.

How long each area lasts

Area	Usually smooth for	Book every
Bikini line	3 to 4 weeks	4 to 5 weeks
Brazilian	3 to 4 weeks	4 to 5 weeks
Underarms	2 to 4 weeks	3 to 4 weeks
Legs	4 to 6 weeks	4 to 6 weeks
Arms	4 to 6 weeks	4 to 6 weeks
Upper lip and chin	3 to 4 weeks	3 to 5 weeks
Brows	3 to 4 weeks	3 to 5 weeks

Your own results depend on your hair, your hormones and how regular your appointments are.

Does waxing make hair grow back thicker?

No. Waxing can’t change a follicle into one that makes thicker or darker hair. The myth comes from shaving: a shaved hair is cut straight across, so the blunt tip feels coarser as it grows. A waxed hair grows back with its natural tapered tip, so regrowth feels softer.

Does waxing make hair grow back thinner?

Often, over time. Repeatedly pulling hair from the root can weaken some follicles, and many regular clients notice their hair grows back finer and sparser after months of waxing. It varies from person to person, and it isn’t permanent hair removal. If you want lasting reduction, look at laser: how many laser hair removal sessions you need.

How to make your wax last longer

• Keep a regular schedule. Waxing every 4 to 6 weeks gradually brings your hair onto the same cycle, so more of it is removed at once.
• Don’t shave between waxes. Shaving resets the growth cycle and makes the next wax less effective.
• Exfoliate. Two or three times a week, starting a few days after your wax, to prevent ingrown hairs.
• Moisturize. Hydrated skin releases hair more cleanly at your next appointment.

Can you shower after waxing?

Yes. Keep the water lukewarm and use a gentle, unscented wash for the first day. Save hot baths, hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms for 24 to 48 hours, and skip swimming and tanning for a day or two too.

Waxing and Calgary’s dry skin

Dry skin grips wax differently and is more prone to ingrown hairs, and Calgary’s air is dry for much of the year. From October to April, when furnaces run and chinooks blow through, keep up a daily unscented moisturizer on waxed areas, and exfoliate gently. Your next wax will be smoother and more comfortable.

For your first bikini-area appointment, read your first Brazilian wax.

Questions we hear

How long does hair need to be to wax?

About 6 mm, or a quarter inch, roughly a grain of rice. That’s usually 2 to 3 weeks after shaving.

Is it bad to wax too often?

Waxing before the hair has regrown enough means the wax has little to grip, which is harder on the skin. Stick to every 3 to 6 weeks depending on the area.

What’s longer lasting, waxing or threading?

For brows and the face, both remove hair from the root and last about the same time, 3 to 5 weeks. Threading suits sensitive skin and precise brow shaping.