Many women ditch razors and hair removal creams and switch to waxing to get rid of dark underarms.
So, really, does waxing lighten underarms?
It is believed that waxing lightens the skin with regular sessions. Every time you wax, you remove unwanted hair and dark skin layer. This eventually reveals new, lighter-colored skin.
Before we discuss this further, let’s shed some light on how underarm waxing differs from waxing other parts of the body.
Underarm Waxing vs. Other Body Waxing
For underarm waxing, you get two wax types to choose from: soft wax and hard wax.
The latter becomes hard after you spread it all over the targeted area. Then, you can remove it with cloth or paper strips. Hard wax, on the other hand, solidifies after drying on your skin, allowing you to easily pull it off. You don’t need wax strips for it.
Apart from this, one of the main differences between underarm waxing and other body waxing is that you’ll require less wax and fewer strips when removing hair from your underarms. This is because you’ll be working on a smaller area than arms, legs, or bikini line.
That being said, whether you choose to go with a soft or hard wax for your underarms, you must apply the wax in the same direction as your hair growth and remove it in the opposite direction.
Benefits of Waxing Your Underarms
Most women prefer waxing their underarms for two reasons: it is relatively easier and more convenient than other hair removal methods.
Below are the top benefits of underarm waxing. and you will Does Waxing Lighten Underarms?
1. It’s Efficient
Waxing provides efficient hair removal. It allows you to get rid of unwanted hair in less time with less effort.
2. Reduces the Risk of Ingrown Hair
Underarm waxing reduces the growth of ingrown hair and makes your skin softer and smoother, given that you follow proper pre and post-waxing instructions and take care of your skin like it deserves.
3. Less Hair Breakage
Waxing also eliminates the risk of hair breakage, which is a common problem women face while shaving their underarms. Cutting of hair promotes the growth of thicker hair. Since waxing removes each strand from its follicle instead of breaking it at the root, it ensures that it grows back softer and thinner.
4. Causes Less Pain
Waxing is a less painful alternative to other hair removal procedures. When waxing your underarms, you’ll experience even lesser pain than other parts like your face, arms, legs, and bikini zone. In addition to this, underarm waxing helps alleviate pain related to razor cuts and burns, as they tend to sting and feel sore when you use a deodorant or moisturizer.
5. Delays Hair Growth
Since wax pulls out hair strands from the root, the regrowth process can be slower. The hair strands take some time to reproduce. Over time, you may even notice a significant decrease in hair growth.
This means you won’t have to spend your time shaving in the shower every few days. Also, this will help prevent you from upsetting your temperamental skin and experiencing a flare-up.
6. Has a Nice, Exfoliating Effect
Waxing serves as an exfoliator by removing dead skin cells from your underarms. It also helps unblock clogged pores, ensuring that the hair strands are finer when they regrow.
How to Lighten Your Underarms with Waxing
A proper waxing routine can help treat darkness on the underarms. You might have to change a few habits to get rid of the unsightly dark spots. Here are a few tips that will help.
§ Exfoliate Regularly
If you want to lighten your underarms, you must incorporate exfoliation into your skincare regime. It is important to treat your skin with a gentle exfoliator before every underarm waxing session.
Apart from this, you should exfoliate twice or thrice a week, depending on your specific skin type. This will prevent dead skin cells from accumulating on your underarms, making for a smooth waxing procedure.
Besides, the skin on your underarms is generally thinner and more sensitive than other areas of the body. So, it is best to use loofahs and gentle scrubs for exfoliating.
§ Try to Use Natural Ingredients
One easy way to lighten your underarms is by using natural ingredients. Products with potentially harmful ingredients can compromise your skin’s appearance and condition. Go for ingredients like aloe vera, sandalwood, lemon, rose water, or potato slices. Rub them on your underarms for two to three minutes during your skincare routine.
After regular use, these ingredients will reveal noticeably lighter skin on your underarms. They will also keep your skin moisturized, so it feels soft and silky smooth. The enzymes in potato and lemon juice are particularly helpful in lightening dark spots on the underarms.
§ Wear Loose Clothing
A sure-fire way of preventing your underarms from looking dark after a waxing session is by wearing loose or sleeveless shirts. In addition to avoiding friction, this simple trick helps ensure your sweat doesn’t collect under your arms.
§ Use the Right Deodorants
Can you go wrong when choosing a deodorant?
Absolutely!
If you tend to sweat a lot, make sure you use deodorants specifically formulated for sensitive skin. Most importantly, try to limit your use of deodorants and antiperspirants. There are several alternatives that will keep you smelling fresh all day long. These include apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and alum.
How to Wax Your Underarms
While you can go to a professional for underarm waxing, it is often more convenient to do it on your own. You just need to know how to do it. Leading up to your underarm waxing session, you need to do a few things to ensure a smooth process.
Also don’t forget to checkout does waxing cause wrinkles?
Things You Need to Do before Waxing Your Underarms
Follow the instructions below to prep for your waxing session.
§ Check the Length of Your Hair
Your hair should be ¼-inch long when you decide to wax your underarms. This length is usually achieved in two to three weeks after a waxing session. If your hair is ½-inch or longer, you’ll have to trim them first to experience less pain during the procedure.
§ Use a Gentle Exfoliator
You should use a gentle scrub or a buffing mitt to exfoliate your skin before waxing. While this isn’t necessary, it helps prevent the growth of stray and ingrown hair.
§ Cut Down Alcohol and Caffeine Consumption
It is best to limit your caffeine and alcohol intake on the day of waxing. These diuretics can tighten the pores on your skin and cause you to feel more pain than usual during the procedure.
§ Avoid Sun and Water Exposure
You should avoid swimming or going out in the sun at least a day before your waxing session. It is also better to avoid tanning.
§ Don’t Use a Deodorant
As much tempted as you may be to use a deodorant, make sure you resist the temptation on the day of underarm waxing. If you can’t, at least apply less than usual. Deodorants and antiperspirants can clog your skin pores, making the waxing procedure extra painful and uncomfortable.
§ Take a Pain-Reliever
If your pain threshold is not c, you should consider taking a pain-reliever like ibuprofen half an hour before a waxing session. It will significantly reduce your pain. Otherwise, you might start dreading waxing – and there’s no point if you don’t do it regularly.
The Underarm Waxing Process
Follow the steps below for a pleasant waxing experience.
Step 1
Prep your underarms by cleaning them with a gentle cleanser. Apply some powder to get rid of the sweat and oil on the skin. This will ensure that the wax sticks to your skin properly for efficient hair removal.
Step 2
Choose a wax that’s suitable for use on the underarms. Most products designed for this purpose can be used on other body parts as well. Some waxes are meant to remove fine hair on sensitive areas like the face. They won’t work so well on the underarms. Other products work best for larger surfaces, such as the back or torso.
The key is to read the labels carefully and make a well-informed decision. Also, do your research regarding the wax that works best for underarms.
Step 3
Now, it’s time to apply the wax to your underarms. But first, you must put the respective arm above the head to make sure the skin is fully stretched. This will help minimize the pain as well as help you get a clearer view of the hair that needs to be removed.
Step 4
When applying the wax to the target area, make sure you follow the direction of your hair growth. After spreading the wax properly, you’ll have to wait for a few minutes to let the wax cool down and harden.
Step 5
When the wax feels stiff against your skin, pull it against the hair growth to ensure each hair strand is removed from the hair follicle. This is essential to preventing the growth of ingrown hair on your underarms.
Step 6
Finally, you can apply a moisturizer or a skincare product with excellent disinfecting properties to avoid redness and infection.
And you’re done!
How Long Do the Results Last?
Generally, underarm waxing results last for around three weeks. However, this may vary, depending on the speed of your hair growth.
With that said, if you follow a regular waxing routine, you’ll eventually notice that your hair grows back slower and thinner. You’ll also get used to the pain. If you fail to keep with the routine, your hair growth cycle will be disrupted and you’ll have to start from scratch.
This means that if you decide to wax your underarms after a significant period, the process will be more painful than usual.
Are There Any Side Effects of Underarm Waxing?
This is a common concern for women, considering the skin on your underarms is extra sensitive. Rest assured that underarm waxing is entirely safe.
Nevertheless, the procedure may cause temporary itchiness and redness. You may even notice some bumps. This is completely normal, as the same happens when you wax other parts of the body. These side effects usually fade within a few hours. In rare cases, they may last a day or two.
That being said, you must look out for some serious risks of underarm waxing. These include bleeding, burns, and infection. If it’s your first time waxing, i8t is normal to experience some bleeding. In this case, make sure there is no residual blood and the area is cleaned properly to minimize the risk of infection.
Sometimes, you may end up ripping the top layer of your skin when you pull off the wax. As a result, you’ll experience some burning. It is recommended to apply a pack of ice to cool off the skin. Also, do NOT apply a deodorant or antiperspirant as it will worsen the burning.
Lastly, if you think you’ve developed a skin infection after waxing, you must consult with a doctor right away. Infections usually make your skin extra tender and result in the formation of painful, puss-filled blisters.
The Bottom Line
Many women feel self-conscious because of their dark underarms. Thankfully, a proper waxing routine can help lighten them.
Just make sure you prep your skin well and follow all the discussed steps to reveal soft, smooth, bump-free skin.
The skin on your underarms is extremely sensitive, so you must take good care of it. Always go for a wax that suits your skin type and apply a good-quality moisturizer after every waxing session.
Eventually, not only will your skin lighten, but also the hair growth will decrease. It’s a win-win!
Now that you know the answer to the burning question, “Does waxing lighten underarms?” Get ready to make the switch from shaving or using hair removal creams to waxing.