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What Are the Benefits of Using Salon Wax?

Kathleen Howard
Kathleen Howard

Salon waxes are high quality soft and hard waxes available in salons and beauty supply stores. There are several benefits to using professional-quality wax over convenience store brands. Salon wax usually contains strong natural waxes and resins as well as soothing extracts that minimize irritation. Some salon waxes also contain antiseptic ingredients like tea tree oil that protect against infection. When used at home, consumers can achieve professional results for less than the cost of visiting a salon.

One of the greatest benefits of using salon wax is that it is usually less irritating than cheaper waxes. Like many salon products, professional-quality waxes commonly contain high quality ingredients like pine resin, beeswax and other natural materials. While non-salon waxes might contain natural substances, they usually also contain parabens, artificial fragrances and other irritants. If a person has sensitive skin, these substances can further aggravate the irritation caused by waxing.

Some salon waxes contain tea tree oil to help protect against infection.
Some salon waxes contain tea tree oil to help protect against infection.

Due to its strength, salon wax is also easier to use. These waxes are usually suitable consistencies and grip hair more effectively than convenience store brands. While non-salon soft and strip waxes are easy to apply, they are not always effective in removing hair. These waxes often take several applications to remove hair, which can cause severe irritation.

Laser hair removal is more permanent than waxing, but also much more expensive.
Laser hair removal is more permanent than waxing, but also much more expensive.

To minimize irritation, many salon waxes contain soothing agents like azulen, lavender and hemp extract. These substances help to prevent against inflammation and irritation during waxing. While some non-salon beauty products also contain soothing agents, professional-grade wax generally contains higher quality ingredients.

Another benefit of using salon wax is that some of these waxes contain antiseptics. Regardless of the wax used, waxing can be damaging to the skin. Waxing sometimes lifts the top layer of skin, which leaves the area susceptible to infection. To protect against infection, salon waxes might contain natural antiseptics like tea tree oil.

Salon wax is usually less irritating than cheaper waxes.
Salon wax is usually less irritating than cheaper waxes.

While salon wax is typically created for professional use, it is possible to purchase professional-grade products online and in beauty supply stores. Many people choose to use this wax at home in order to save money on salon treatments. While this is a valuable benefit, it is important to remember that the application and removal of the wax is just as important as the quality of the product. Unless a person is experienced in using wax, people who have sensitive skin might want to get waxed by a professional. An experienced esthetician will be able to minimize the amount of pain and irritation a person experiences during hair removal.

Discussion Comments

SteamLouis

@literally45-- You are right about the temperature. Salon wax is great but it can also be ineffective if one doesn't follow directions or uses the wrong wax strips. I specifically buy salon wax that comes with its own roll of cloth wax strips. Once, I bought the wax from a salon and the cloth strips from somewhere else. Guess what? The wax didn't stick to the strips. So its best to get these as a set because products of the same brand are made to work together.

literally45

@stoneMason-- If you're experiencing issues with the wax sticking to your skin, try a salon wax that is sugar based instead of the beeswax alternative. The sugar based ones will stick to the hair but not the skin. And also keep in mind that there is an ideal temperature for hot wax. Too hot or too cold will not only hurt you but it won't work properly. So follow the directions carefully.

stoneMason

I have been doing my own waxing at home for some time now. I was using a store brand hot wax but I recently switched to salon wax due to the irritation. The article is completely right. Store brands miss a lot of hairs which requires waxing the same area twice or even thrice. Something else I've experienced with store waxes is that the wax sticks to skin and the wax sheets do not remove the wax. The result is a lot of pain and wax on skin that won't come off. I've even had allergic reactions due to the irritation where areas on my skin became red and inflamed afterwards.

I've not had any of these issues with salon wax though, which just proves to me that this type of wax is of superior quality and safer. It does cost more but it's definitely worth it.

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      By: Lucie Říhová
      Some salon waxes contain tea tree oil to help protect against infection.
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