As beautiful as summer is, it has an unpleasant side effect: the increased exposure to light on our skin stimulates hair growth. In other words, despite the daily shave, the first stubble becomes noticeable on the legs the next day – unless you switch to wax.
Those who shave their legs regularly will notice a serious difference between the seasons: While our hair grows back much more slowly in the cold and dark winter months, it is booming in the warm summer months. This is due to the rising temperatures as well as the higher UV exposure. As a result, many people have to go to the grab – unless you depilate your legs with wax. Then they usually have several stubble-free weeks ahead of them. Which methods are among the most popular and what you should know about waxing is explained here.
Cold or warm wax: these methods exist
When you shave, the hair on your legs is only cut off above the skin and can therefore grow back more quickly. When growing, however, the hair and its roots are pulled out of the skin. As a result, it can take three to six weeks for stubble to show up. How long your legs actually stay straight depends on how fast your hair is growing – and what phase your hair was in at the time it was removed. Basically, you can choose between three different waxing methods:
1. Cold wax strips
So-called made of cotton or coated paper are briefly heated between the hands, pressed vertically to the legs and pulled off again after a few seconds – against the direction of growth. The hair and its roots are pulled out of the skin and stick to the wax. This results in the following advantages and disadvantages:
| advantages | disadvantage |
| The simple and quick application | Quite a painful procedure |
| Also suitable for other body regions (arms, armpits and bikini zone) | The hairs must be at least four to five millimeters long so that they stick to the wax |
| The more often it is waxed, the less the hair will grow back | The hairs can break off more easily and thus grow back faster |
| After three to four treatments, all hair is removed evenly | Through different growth cycles, individual hairs can initially grow back faster |
| After successful application, the legs remain stubble-free for several weeks | The cold wax strips can only be used once and end up in the trash after use |
2. Warm wax strips
An equally effective and popular way to depilate legs is . As the name suggests, it is water-soluble heated in a container and then using a applied to the skin. The heat should allow the hair roots to be removed more easily and therefore with less pain. After a short waiting time, the cooled warm wax strips are also pulled off with a jerk in order to catch as many hairs as possible, including the roots.
This results in the following advantages and disadvantages:
| advantages | disadvantage |
| The procedure is said to be less painful | Wax that is too hot can burn the skin |
| Also suitable for other body regions (face, arms, armpits and bikini area) | The acquisition costs are higher than with cold wax strips |
| No strips of paper or fabric are required, so there is less waste | Wax and wooden spatula have to be bought regularly when they have been used up |
| After successful application, the legs remain stubble-free for several weeks | The hairs must be at least four to five millimeters long so that they stick to the wax |
3. Warm wax roller
Here, too, the wax is applied warm to the skin to remove the annoying hairs. But not with a wooden spatula: the electric one has a so-called roll-on system – i.e. the wax is smeared onto the legs with a roller in the direction of hair growth. Then a fleece strip is placed over it, pressed down and pulled off with a jerk. According to the manufacturer, the product has been dermatologically tested and can even remove shorter hair from two millimeters in length. Your legs should then remain smooth for up to 28 days. The matching ones made of wax can be reordered.
Tips on how to grow legs: what you should know
When waxing your legs for the first time, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Wax residues can easily be removed from the skin with water, wipes or baby oil.
- If you have sunburn on your legs, under no circumstances should the skin be waxed.
- After waxing, the skin is irritated and can be soothed with an aloe vera gel or après sun lotion.
- To avoid ingrown hairs, you can apply one to the waxed skin after two to three days to treat.
- After depilation with cold or warm wax, do not use direct sunlight for 24 hours.
