You can use beeswax for waxing body hair by either purchasing a commercial body wax that is made from beeswax or using a recipe to create your own homemade body wax. Specific body waxing techniques include using waxing strips for removing unwanted hair or applying body wax directly to the area targeted for hair removal. Commercial body waxes are usually accompanied by written instructions which should be followed closely, whereas a homemade body wax may need to be used with instructions found in books or via online resources. You may use beeswax for waxing by yourself or may contract the services of a professional to do it for you.
Commercial beeswax for waxing is often found at beauty supply stores or through online vendors. Beeswax can be found in roll-on dispensers, removable strips or in jars, from which wax can be applied more liberally. Using the instructions that accompany these products, you can remove unwanted body hair in the privacy of your own home. You may also hire an esthetician or a licensed cosmetologist to use beeswax for removing unwanted hair. When instructions are followed closely, these products are generally safe to use.
Among the different techniques offered when using commercial beeswax for waxing is heating wax to a temperature needed in order to soften the wax and help it adhere to the hair follicles where it is applied. It is important to not allow the wax to overheat to prevent skin from burning. By allowing the beeswax to cool for several minutes, the wax can be quickly peeled away in the direction opposite of hair growth, so hair will be pulled away from the skin at the same time.
Recipes for homemade beeswax for waxing can also be used. One such recipe requires combining beeswax with honey and strawberries to create a mixture that not only removes hair, but also has natural antiseptic properties as supplied by both the strawberries and the honey. Recipes can be found online or in health and beauty books found in libraries and bookstores. The instructions for using beeswax for waxing recipes is generally the same as those offered with commercial waxes. By applying wax to a designated area, allowing the wax to cool and quickly pulling the wax away from the skin, hair removal can last several weeks longer than with other methods.
Can Beeswax Be Used for Waxing the Bikini Line?
Beeswax is often the main ingredient in hard hair removal wax, along with tree resin. Hard wax is gentler and less painful to use because it only sticks to hair, not skin. That makes hard wax perfect for hair removal along the bikini line, where your skin may be extra sensitive. Beeswax-based hard wax is ideal for other sensitive areas, such as eyebrows, lips, and underarms. Another advantage of this type of waxing is that it doesn't require a fabric strip; the wax hardens up (thus the name), and you pull it off in one piece. Since it's gentler on the skin than soft wax, you can also touch up areas you've already waxed instead of having to tweeze away stray hairs.
Can Paraffin Wax Be Substituted for Beeswax in Recipes?
Paraffin and beeswax are not interchangeable, and paraffin is not recommended for hair removal. However, there are health- and beauty-related uses for medical-grade paraffin. Because it's such a soft, emollient wax, paraffin is often used to soften the skin, especially on the hands and feet. It can also provide temporary relief for arthritis in the hands and feet. Paraffin is usually combined with lanolin or mineral oil and heated to a warm, soothing temperature as a skin treatment. Next, the person receiving the therapy dips the hands or feet in the mixture, lets it cool slightly, and dips again until there are 10 layers of paraffin. After the hands or feet are wrapped in plastic and then a towel, the treatment stays on for 20 minutes. Once it has cooled and solidified, it's easy to take off.
Is Beeswax or Soy Wax Better for Candles?
Although commonly made from paraffin, you'll also find candles made from beeswax or soy wax. Paraffin is a petroleum product, so it may not be something you want burning inside your home. On the other hand, soy and beeswax are more natural sources for candlemaking. The thing about soy candle wax is that it usually contains paraffin, and there's no ingredient label to tell you what percentage of the candle is made from which type of wax. Also, conventional soybean cultivation contributes to deforestation and involves lots of pesticides. If you're concerned about where your soy wax comes from, you can try to find organic or ethically-grown soy.
Many people prefer beeswax candles because they do not require any added paraffin, and burning them actually cleans the air instead of polluting it. They also have a pleasant smell, like honey, and a rich golden color. If you want a different color or scent, soy wax candles may be the better bet. Beeswax is also more expensive than soy and is not vegan. As you can see, there are many things to consider when choosing a candle wax, and which wax is better depends on what you want out of a candle and what you value as a consumer.
How Else Can You Use Beeswax?
Beeswax has many uses, from household tasks to body care to cooking. You can mix one part melted beeswax with one part oil and use it to polish and wax your wooden furniture. If you're not the DIY type, you can find this combination already mixed and bottled at your local hardware store. The directions usually say to apply it to the wood, let it soak in for a few minutes to overnight, and then buff it out with a clean cloth or paper towel. You can also use unmelted beeswax to lubricate drawer slides and window frames by rubbing it straight from the block onto the tracks. A tapered beeswax candle works great for this.
If you have little ones in your life, try making beeswax crayons by melting the wax, along with some ivory soap flakes, in a double boiler. (Don't let the kids around the wax while it's hot.) Add food coloring and pour the mixture into silicone ice molds in fun shapes. When the figures have cooled and hardened, it's time to make art!
You can make a classic Waldorf-inspired sensory material for younger kids: modeling beeswax. They use it just like play dough, but it has a wonderful honey scent and a different tactile experience. To make it, melt a half cup of beeswax in a double boiler or microwave, keeping it away from the kids while it's hot, and add in a bit of lanolin and some olive, coconut, or jojoba oil. You can also add fun colors if you want, using gel or paste food coloring. Pour the mixture into paper or silicone baking cups to cool and solidify.