Does Hair Eventually Stop Growing With Waxing?

Shaving your legs, armpits and bikini area can be time consuming, and the results only last for a day or two. Waxing has more long-term effects, but it does not prevent your hair from growing back within a few weeks. The good news is that if you keep waxing for many years, you may be able to prevent the hair from ever growing back. Once you know more about why this can occur, you can determine if you want to continue waxing or if you want to pursue other permanent hair-removal options.

When you wax the hair off your body, you first apply warm wax to the area. You then cover the wax with paper or gauze and firmly yank it off your skin, removing the hair in the process. Once you wax the hair off, the results can last anywhere from three to six weeks. Your hair may grow back finer as well, which can make it less noticeable between treatments. One drawback to waxing is that you have to wait until your hair is long enough to effectively rip out. Many cosmetic and beauty brands sell home waxing kits, but the procedure is also available at many salons.

When you wax, you can expect the results to last for several weeks, but waxing is not considered to be permanent hair removal. Waxing is more effective than shaving because it removes your hair further down the shaft so it takes longer for it to grow back and become noticeable. However, if you regularly wax your legs, you may be able to attain permanent hair removal over a long period of time. This may occur because constant waxing weakens your hair, which might cause it to stop growing. This may be particularly true if you wax your eyebrows. Riku Campo, author of "The Best in Beauty," notes pulling eyebrow hairs out damages the follicles, which may eventually prevent them from ever growing back.

Because waxing is considered to be a safe way to remove hair, you can wax as often as you wish. You may have to wait several days or weeks between sessions to allow the hair to grow long enough to effectively remove all of it. If you have large patches of skin that you would like to remove the hair from, such as your legs or back, waxing is one of the most effective methods because it is quick and lasts longer than other methods. If permanent hair removal is your goal, talk to your dermatologist or doctor about additional options that are considered permanent and will bring results more quickly.

Do not use wax if your skin is irritated or if you have open wounds. Ask your salon about cold waxing, which still uses warm wax, rather than hot waxing, which can lead to burning. Avoid direct sunlight, very hot showers and cosmetics with fragrances for 24 hours after waxing. This will help minimize irritation and redness. Waxing may or may not permanently remove your hair. Do not rely on it as an effective treatment because it does not always work for everyone.