What’s the Difference Between Soft Wax and Hard Wax?
If you’ve ever experienced a bit of that old wax-on, hair-off smoothness for yourself, you probably get why it’s become such a popular service in the beauty industry. Because let’s face it unless we’re talking about the top of your head, most would agree that hair-free is care-free. But whether you’re contemplating how to greet the warm weather around the corner without that all-over sweater, OR – just thinking about adding waxing services to your career tool kit you need to understand the fundamentals. Like, what the heck’s the difference between soft wax and hard wax? Join us as we take a deep, sticky dive into the differences, pros, cons and benefits of soft wax vs hard wax.
No, really – what’s the difference between hard and soft wax?
Well, besides the obvious answer that one is softer, and one is harder, there are some specific properties in each type that make them more appropriate for different applications.
For instance, (and contrary to the hard wax label) if you’re looking to wax those sensitive lady and man bits, (a.k.a. – the Brazilian wax) you would be better served using hard wax. Because hard wax adheres to the hair follicles, but not the skin. It’s also gentler on the skin and more suitable for areas like your face, and the more delicate areas of the body.
Hard Wax
Pros –
- No strip required to remove the wax.
- Hard wax is less painful to remove from the face.
- Less sticky residue.
- Works well on shorter hair.
Cons –
- May be more costly than soft wax.
- Can only be applied to smaller areas.
- More time consuming to apply on larger areas.
- Must be warmed up prior to application.
Now, if you’re looking to rid yourself, (or your client) of a super-sized swatch of hair, you’d definitely want to use soft wax. For one thing, it’s a lot cheaper than hard wax, and when you’re looking at a small football field – that can add up. Unlike hard wax, soft wax gets removed with strips and adheres to the skin as well as the hair. If that sounds a little more painful to remove, you are correct.
Soft Wax
Pros –
- Ideal for larger areas of the body.
- Less costly.
- Can be applied at lower temperatures.
- Doesn’t break apart and come off as easily.
Cons –
- Can be more painful to remove.
- More likely to cause skin irritation.
- Needs to be removed with strips.
Benefits of Waxing
If you’re asking yourself why anyone would subject themselves to something that sounds less than fun, consider that waxing gets rid of unwanted hair quickly and typically take longer to grow back vs shaving. And while there are those who may experience some skin irritation from waxing, there’s really no substitute for no razor bumps.
Both hard and soft wax have their place in the world of excess hair removal. But if you’re not totally comfortable self-waxing, consult with your esthetician to find out which type is more suitable for your needs. After all, once you go wax, you may never want to go back to wielding a razor to get rid of unwanted hair. And if you love the idea of changing the world , one swatch of hair at a time, maybe a career as an esthetician is right for you! Estheticians are superheroes who aren’t just armed with the ability to get rid of unwanted hair. They’re out there helping the rest of us look and feel our best in the skin we’re in. If you’d like to learn more about a career as an esthetician, check out the Esthetics program at Continental School of Beauty. With three campus locations to choose from, Continental can help you become a skincare specialist! Contact us today to learn more.
