How Often Should You Wax? Experts Weigh-in

Once you wax, you'll never go back. So, an important question before you go down that road: How often do you need to wax? Here's the lowdown.

How Often to Wax

The average time to go between appointments is three to eight weeks. Part of this downtime is waiting for about a quarter-inch of regrowth before it can successfully be removed (see more about waxing length).

When you first get waxed, you may continue to see hair or see hair again in as little as just a couple of days. This doesn't necessarily mean that the technician did a poor job, so don't freak out and run to another salon. Although there could have been breakage (something you should bring up with your technician during your next visit), it's likely that some hairs simply weren't long enough yet to be grasped.

Generally, you should get waxed every two to four weeks after your first appointment. This helps remove the hair that was growing underneath the skin at your last appointment. After that, how regularly you should get waxed depends on how noticeable the hair is, how much it bothers you, and your budget.

Check out these guidelines for how often to wax different parts of your body.

Face

Wax your face every two to three weeks. "Facial hair, such as brow, lip, and chin hair, grows in much quicker than hair on the rest of your body," says Melanie Coba.

"For your face, I recommend using strip wax with a paraffin base, so it's easy on sensitive skin," says Nikki Babian, the lead specialist at Spruce & Bond Scarsdale. "It shouldn't be the typical sticky wax that can grip and pull the skin. I like to use strip wax on those baby hairs around the mouth to get all the peach fuzz off."

Underarms

"It's best to wax your underarms every two weeks, as it's obvious when there's regrowth," Coba says. "You'll get the best results if you stay on a consistent schedule."

"I always recommend using hard wax on the underarms since that's a very sensitive area," warns Babian. Do some research on the type of wax they use at the place you've chosen to go before making an appointment. It can make all the difference.

Bikini area

"For a bikini wax, those who frequent the beach benefit from waxing their bikini line every two weeks. But for a full bikini or Brazilian bikini service, you're recommended to come in every three to four weeks. This allows the proper amount of time for regrowth," Coba says.

"We use a proprietary blend we call comfort wax, which is beeswax and other high-quality ingredients," Coba says. "In the short and long term, waxing will allow for hair growth to become softer and more sparse. Most of our clients are surprised at how quickly their hair changes when they stick to a schedule, and the results only get better and better the longer you do it."

Legs

Wax your legs and any other body parts every three to four weeks to allow time for regrowth.

What Is a "Normal" Skin Reaction to Waxing?

It's normal for your skin to show redness after waxing, so don't panic if that happens. Some skin is more sensitive than others and reactions may range from no redness at all to very red skin. The first time you wax an area, or if it has been a while since your last waxing, you'll probably experience some redness and sensitivity afterward. This usually subsides within a few hours. If you have very sensitive skin, then the redness may last longer.

Waxing Aftercare

To prevent clogged pores, it's best not to put any heavy lotions on the skin after waxing. Board-certified dermatologist Michele Farber, MD, recommends using a gentle, non-comedogenic, fragrance-free moisturizer, and applying aloe or hydrocortisone cream for redness or irritation.

Now, here are four little-known hair-removal methods that don't involve waxing.