Is it better to wax or shave privates?

### Results Duration: Clear Winner is Waxing **Waxing**: Results last 3-5 weeks on average - Hair removed from the root, including the bulb - Skin stays completely smooth for weeks - Regrowth is gradual and soft, not stubbly **Shaving**: Results last 1-3 days - Hair cut at skin level, roots remain intact - Stubble appears within 24-48 hours - Daily or every-other-day maintenance required For anyone tired of constant upkeep, waxing provides dramatically longer-lasting smoothness with far less frequent maintenance. ### Skin Irritation and Ingrown Hairs **Waxing Advantages**: - No razor burn or nicks - Less frequent irritation overall - With proper aftercare and exfoliation, fewer ingrown hairs long-term - Skin becomes smoother over time as hair grows back finer **Waxing Disadvantages**: - Temporary redness after treatment (lasts hours to a day) - Possible ingrown hairs if aftercare is neglected - Slight sensitivity for 24 hours post-wax **Shaving Disadvantages**: - Razor burn, especially in sensitive intimate areas - Higher risk of cuts and nicks - Ingrown hairs very common, particularly in curly or coarse hair types - Irritation from daily friction and blade contact - "Razor bumps" (folliculitis) from bacteria entering irritated follicles **Verdict**: While waxing causes temporary discomfort during treatment, shaving causes more frequent, ongoing irritation for many people. ### Hair Regrowth Characteristics **Waxing**: - Hair grows back soft and tapered (natural hair tip) - Regrowth becomes finer and sparser with regular waxing - Many notice 30-50% less density after 6-12 months of regular waxing - No stubble period - hair grows in gradually and softly **Shaving**: - Hair grows back with blunt, stubbly ends (where blade cut) - Regrowth feels coarse and prickly - Creates illusion of thicker hair (actually same thickness, just blunt-cut) - Constant stubble cycle as hair breaks skin surface Over time, regular waxing actually makes hair removal easier and less frequent, while shaving maintains the same growth pattern indefinitely. ### Pain and Discomfort **Waxing**: - Significant discomfort during treatment (sharp, stinging sensation) - 30-40 minutes of cumulative discomfort for comprehensive waxing - Decreases substantially with regular treatments (50-70% less by 3rd-4th session) - Pain management options: pain relievers, hard wax, professional technique **Shaving**: - No pain during hair removal itself - Potential for painful cuts, nicks, razor burn - Ongoing low-level irritation for sensitive skin types - Cumulative irritation from frequent shaving can become uncomfortable **Verdict**: Shaving is less uncomfortable in the moment, but waxing's temporary discomfort often beats the ongoing irritation many experience from shaving. ### Cost Analysis **Shaving (Annual Cost: ~£20-40)**: - Razors: £10-25 per year - Shaving cream/gel: £10-15 per year - Upfront investment minimal **Waxing (Annual Cost: ~£260-450)**: - Bikini line waxing: £12-15 × 8-13 sessions = £96-195/year - Brazilian/Hollywood waxing: £25-35 × 8-13 sessions = £200-455/year - Higher per-session cost but less frequent **Time Investment**: - Shaving: 5-10 minutes every 1-3 days = 30-60 hours annually - Waxing: 20-40 minutes every 4-6 weeks = 3-6 hours annually Waxing costs more financially but saves enormous time over the year. Whether the cost trade-off is worthwhile depends on your budget and how you value your time. ### Convenience and Flexibility **Shaving Wins**: - Can be done anytime at home - No appointment scheduling - No waiting for hair growth between sessions - Can shave even very short hair **Waxing Limitations**: - Requires appointments (can't be spontaneous) - Must wait 2-3 weeks for hair regrowth between sessions - Need to plan around waxing schedule - Requires finding and traveling to professional salon For those who value spontaneity and control over their schedule, shaving offers more flexibility. ### Privacy and Exposure **Shaving**: - Complete privacy - done at home - No exposure to anyone else - No vulnerability or positioning requirements **Waxing (Professional)**: - Requires intimate exposure to therapist - Vulnerable positioning during treatment - Some people never feel comfortable with this level of exposure For those who value privacy highly, shaving may feel more comfortable regardless of results quality. ### Hygiene Considerations **Waxing**: - Professional salons must maintain strict hygiene (single-use applicators, fresh wax, sanitized rooms) - Properly done, very hygienic - Salon quality varies - must research carefully **Shaving**: - Hygiene entirely in your control - Blade cleanliness crucial (bacteria can cause infections) - Shower environment generally clean Both can be very hygienic when done properly, though shaving's hygiene is entirely under your control. ### Long-Term Impact on Hair **Waxing**: - Damages hair follicles over time - Leads to finer, sparser regrowth - Some follicles may stop producing hair after years of regular waxing - Each session becomes easier as hair thins **Shaving**: - No impact on follicles or growth patterns - Hair remains same thickness, density indefinitely - Same shaving difficulty year after year If you want hair to become less problematic over time, waxing offers progressive improvement while shaving maintains status quo. ### Best Choice by Scenario **Choose Waxing If You**: - Want longest-lasting smoothness - Suffer from razor burn or ingrown hairs from shaving - Prefer less frequent maintenance - Can afford £200-450 annually - Are comfortable with professional intimate services - Value progressive reduction in hair density **Choose Shaving If You**: - Need immediate, spontaneous hair removal - Have limited budget for grooming - Strongly value privacy - Cannot tolerate waxing discomfort - Have very sensitive skin that reacts badly to waxing - Need flexibility in timing **Consider Both**: - Wax in summer when you want extended smoothness - Shave in winter when hair is less visible - Use as backup - wax primarily, shave for touch-ups if needed

**Available at Newcastle location**: - **Newcastle City Centre**: Private treatment rooms offering professional intimate waxing as a superior alternative to shaving. **Our Waxing Services**: - Bikini Line Waxing: £12-15 | 15-20 minutes - Extended Bikini: £18-22 | 20-30 minutes - Brazilian Wax: £25-30 | 30-40 minutes - Hollywood Wax: £30-35 | 30-40 minutes [Book Your First Waxing Appointment - Experience the Difference]