Waxing is arguably the most preferred choice for hair removal. After all, it is more economical than laser hair removal and lasts longer than other methods. However, even when it comes to waxing, there are some choices we need to make when it comes to waxing at home vs salon.
Obviously, there is no right or wrong choice here and your preferred route largely depends on what you want. At one end, you’ll find the convenience of waxing at home, but at the other end, you may be tempted to enjoy a complete pampering session with the perfect ambience at the salon. Therefore, making a choice isn’t exactly easy either.
But if we have to break it down for you, here’s a detailed comparison of waxing at home vs. salon.
Benefits of Waxing at Home
Waxing at home is essentially DIY waxing so if you’ve never tried it, you might be hesitant. But of course, it does provide you the convenience that you need since an average person would need waxing every 3-5 weeks. So let’s shed some light on the pros of waxing.
It Saves Time
When you arrange waxing at home, you effectively save the time spent commuting to and from a salon, not to mention your desired salon could be far away. Moreover, salons usually follow protocols like checking your appointment and enlisting a person for the job, which adds to the whole time. In contrast, waxing at home can be done literally even an hour before you have to be at an important event.
Inexpensive
Depending on your choice of salon, the overall cost of waxing at home vs salon is significantly lower. In fact, most DIY waxing kits you get are also much cheaper than the cost of getting waxing at a salon, which would even factor in the service charge. While waxing at home might roughly cost you somewhere between $20 and $100, a full body wax at a salon could start at $150. So it is an undeniable fact that waxing at home is a more economical option.
Convenient
When you’re getting dressed and you see tiny hair sprouting on your legs, the last thing you want is to rush to a salon. Plus, given that most salons require booking in advance, we just sometimes don’t have the time. In such situations, waxing at home serves as the most convenient option. You can just heat up some wax and follow the instructions on your DIY waxing kit. In less than 30 minutes, you’re done and ready to step out.
Comfortable
While this depends largely on your personal preference, many women shy away from waxing at salons, especially when it comes to bikini wax. If this is your consternation, waxing at home is the ideal option for you! You can plan everything at your own convenience and evade the hassle of going to a salon altogether. Waxing at home also allows you to take the process slowly and take a break in case you start experiencing pain.
Cons of Waxing at Home
With the convenience of waxing at home comes the bane of lack of expertise. Now, you have to decide whether you want to perfect your skills at home or simply let a professional do the job for you.
Lack of Expertise
While waxing isn’t as tricky as threading, it also requires expertise that any layman will lack. Therefore, where waxing at home vs salon will save you the time spent in commute, it may also take more time if you’re new to DIY waxing. Without the expertise and experience, it may take you longer to wax at home than it would take a professional who does this for a living.
Ineffective Hair Removal
The biggest advantage of waxing at home is that it is tough for a person to maneuver into certain spots and angles for effective hair removal. You may be accustomed to the process, but it can be tough to get into some areas, especially when you’re waxing your underarms or doing a bikini wax. The aim is to have your waxing last as long as possible, and that may not be entirely possible with waxing at home.
May Cause Pain
Waxing at home cannot match the technical expertise of a professional who knows all the drills and ways to make the waxing session as painless as possible. They know how to get into hard-to-reach areas and also mitigate the possibility of any redness, irritation and ingrown hair, which is always a risk when a novice is waxing at home.
Benefits of Waxing at a Salon
If everyone could just get their beauty treatments at home, why would there be such a huge demand for salons? It is an undeniable fact that salons provide a complete experience to customers in exchange for a fee. Here are some of the pros of booking a waxing appointment at your nearest salon.
Experience and Expertise
The number one benefit of waxing at a salon is that you’re in safe hands. The waxing professionals know what they are doing, so they will provide a seamless service to you. They have the right training and tools to ensure that you feel comfortable and get clean and clear skin without the bane of hairy patches here and there. Since waxing can be painful if not done correctly, most people just don’t want to try their hand at something they aren’t trained to do, which makes sense!
Access to High-Quality Products
Salons usually use high-quality products that not only ensure effective hair removal but also pamper your skin alongside. They will use lotions, creams and relevant products to guarantee minimum pain, and reduce chances of redness or irritation. While you could purchase these products for a waxing session at home, it would be expensive, which negates the whole ‘waxing at home is more affordable’ debate.
Relaxing Atmosphere
The reason why most women prefer going to the salon for waxing is because salons provide you with a complete experience. You just aren’t just paying for hair removal but for the relaxing spa atmosphere. This pampering and care can serve as a pleasant experience for anyone, not to mention that mist salons also offer a free massage to go with their waxing appointments. If you want to enjoy a full-on pampering session, waxing at a salon is the ideal option.
Great Deals
If affordability is a major concern for you in the waxing at home vs salon debate, here’s some relief for you! Salons usually have amazing deals that allow you to get a lot of services done at affordable, winning rates. If you’re a regular at a specific salon, you may also be eligible for great discounts. When you can get professional grade waxing services at economical rates, who wouldn’t want to avail the amazing opportunity?
Cons of Waxing at a Salon
Despite the professional aestheticians, high-quality products and tools and the characteristic spa ambience, many people still opt to wax at home. Why is that? There are some downsides to waxing at a salon, as mentioned below.
Requires Planning In Advance
Salons require you to make waxing appointments in advance, which may not be the best course of action for people with busy schedules. You need to make time for your waxing session, which may be a bit of a hassle. Moreover, waxing at a salon isn’t ideal when you need to get to an event and spot some rogue hair on your arms, or legs if you plan on wearing a fancy short dress. In such an event, waxing at home is ideal unless your salon can fit you in.
Hygiene
Another major reason why people shy away from getting waxed at salons is hygiene concerns. Some salons are very careful that they use new spatulas and gowns for every client, but others may not be as vigilant. If you’re a stickler for cleanliness, this may be an issue for you, which is why you’d prefer getting waxed at home. Of course, you may opt for a high-end salon to evade this issue, but only if you’re willing to pay more.
Costly Expense
Waxing is a staple part of every woman’s routine. Depending on each individual’s hair growth, you will need to get waxing done every 3-5 weeks. When you take into account waxing eyebrows, underarms, arms, legs and other, it amounts to a significant sum. This is why people avoid the additional fee that salons factor in their waxing sessions for the experience and service they are providing. If you use an affordable DIY waxing kit, you can save money than regularly going in for waxing appointments at a salon.
Waxing at Home vs Salon
Let’s go over the high points of each.
Time
Waxing at home will save you time, as long as you know what you’re doing. However, if you’re a novice, you might take longer to do a thorough waxing job as opposed to professionals at a salon, who are well-versed at the task at hand.
Winner: Waxing at Salon
Convenience
Waxing at home allows you the convenience of removing hair as per your convenience, i.e. right before you need to leave for an important event. Waxing at a salon requires booking in advance and then following the protocols laid out by the salon.
Winner: Waxing at Home
Affordability
Waxing at home with DIY waxing kits or even making your own wax at home will cost you significantly less than the salon services, unless you’re able to get your hands on a deal or discount. Overall, waxing at home pans out to be more affordable expense.
Winner: Waxing at Home
Effectiveness
When you look at the results, professionals at a salon will definitely do a better job with the ability to get into areas that you may not be able to reach. They use higher quality product and tools that will make the experience a pleasant one.
Winner: Waxing at Salon
DIY Waxing
If you choose to wax at home, there are a few ways to go about it. There are plenty of DIY waxing kits now available in the marker, so you’ll be spoiled for choice. You can even find ways online to make your own wax at home. Here are a few mistakes to avoid when waxing at home:
To recreate the experience of a salon home, make sure you use the most painless waxing technique. Without the expertise of a professional, most women attempt to wax when their hair is too short, which is a wasted attempt. Make sure your hair is at least ¼ inch long for effective hair removal.
Even if you’re a novice, understand that you need to hold the skin taut for hair to come out without pulling or tugging on the skin. Do not apply any oil before the waxing session as the wax will then cease to stick to the hair. Use a calming gel after the waxing session to soothe any skin irritation or redness.
Do not lather wax in an attempt to remove hair more effectively. Instead, apply a thin layer of wax and press the wax strip onto the skin firmly. Now remove in a quick motion, keeping the strip close to the skin. Do not lift the strip upwards as it may pull on the skin, inducing pain.
Make sure you have enough light at home so you’re clearly able to spot any hairy patch that needs to be tended to. With this, you’ll be able to wax at home like a pro!
Verdict
We would reiterate that there is no one right or wrong choice here. But for comparison’s sake, while waxing at home is more affordable, convenient and safe in light of COVID-19, waxing at a salon allows you to leverage the technical waxing abilities of an expert who will likely ensure effective hair removal without the risk of redness, irritation or burns.
However, women who start waxing at home as a way to save money often find it very easy thanks to the huge variety of DIY waxing kits now available in the market. Once you get the hang of it, you might find waxing at home much easier and comfortable than waxing at a salon.