Difference Between Hard and Soft Wax
Waxing is a very familiar word to us. First of all, waxing is not a scary matter. It is a process of removing body hair, similar to shaving. Several wax variations can be used for waxing. Soft wax, hard wax, sugar wax, fruit wax, and chocolate wax are the most common.
Of all the different waxes, soft and hard wax are the two main categories. People often do not know the difference between hard and soft wax. They might get hurt or have an ugly experience because of it.
If you want to know which one is better, you need to know the difference, then compare the pros and cons to justify. Let’s discuss the waxing ways.
Hard Wax
Hard wax needs to melt at a high temperature. Then, apply it to a small part of the body. Give it sufficient time to set. It makes the strip layer hard enough to pull off of the skin. The thicker layer also helps get more contact with the body hair, instead of skin.
Film hard wax is a category of hard wax. It is also called stripless hard wax and is made with polymer film hard wax and non-polymer blends. They are mixed to get a quicker setting time. It is not rough on the skin.
Is Hard Wax Supposed to Hurt?
No, it does not hurt that much. It is called hard wax because the wax gets hard after application. This is because the layer of the applied wax is thicker. About 2-3 mm layer of hard wax is applied to the skin.
Applicable Areas for Hard Wax
Hard wax can be applied to the whole body. But it is known for use in sensitive areas. Your face, bikini region, underarms, and chest is suitable for hard wax. It is more effective in these areas.
We know that you may think it is a painful process. Many professionals assure that it is less painful. A small amount of pain is felt when the wax is removed. The key technique is to remove it fast. It will not stick to your skin. Your skin will be less affected by this method.
Advantages of Hard Wax
Hard wax is appropriate for intimate areas. It is less painful than soft wax. A thick layer covers the hairy part with less contact with skin. Removing the thick portion in a flash does not let the pain spread.
Thick layers do not leave any residue and are much easier to clean. Some areas may still have short hairs, which is why you can apply it twice on the same region. It is also a less messy procedure. A short setting time makes the process quicker.
As the wax layer does not stick to your skin, it will not cause much irritation. The high-temperature wax makes hair removal quick. Hard wax is used in small areas, which makes it easy to deal with.
Disadvantages of Hard Wax
Though it is a straightforward method, it has some opposing sides. First of all, the thick layers need more wax than usual, which will cost you more money. Resins and polymers used in the wax are also costly. Some skin preparation and pre-treatment kits may be needed.
Due to its cost, it is less prevalent in salons. If you apply it on large areas, it will be troublesome. It takes less time to set and remove. So, it might become brittle due to the quick setting time. Then, you cannot wax properly. As it is warmed up to a high temperature, it could damage your skin.
Soft Wax
Soft wax melts down at comparatively low temperatures. This makes the application effortless, as it is applied in a thin layer over the skin. Due to the thin layer, the wax adheres to skin as well as hair.
The thin layer must cover the area evenly. A muslin strip is then rubbed firmly over the wax. After some setting time, the wax is ready to be removed. It will remove all the fine hairs efficiently. And it also removes dead skin. This may give your skin some redness afterward.
Is Soft Wax Less Painful?
Well, it does sound like it. Soft waxing is more painful compared to hard waxing. But that does not mean that it is worse. In fact, soft waxing is an integral part of the spa industry. Experts say that it will remove even the tiniest hair on your body.
Applicable Areas for Soft Wax
Soft wax is used on the back, arms, and legs.
When it comes to covering large areas, soft wax is required. Experts say that it is more efficient in this region. It takes more time than hard wax to set, giving you maximum spreadability. Also, it would be best if you avoided sunburnt skin or veins while waxing.
Advantages of Soft Wax
Its great advantage is that it can be used on a larger area compared to hard wax. Also, it is less costly than hard wax. It is popular in salons and spas.
This method works effectively in large areas of the body. Sometimes it is used for Brazilian waxing. This makes hair removal painless. It is melted at a low temperature. So, the risks of skin burn are rare.
Soft wax has a longer setting time. For that, it does not have much brittleness. It can get even the tiniest hairs, bringing you smooth skin.
Disadvantages of Soft Wax
The most significant liability of this wax is skin irritation. Soft wax cannot be used twice on the same area because the removal of fine hair makes the area more sensitive.
Suppose, you wax the same area twice. There will be a high risk of skin irritation. It can cause harm to your skin and bleeding.
The wax layer on the skin is thin, which means a more painful removal experience. As it takes a long time to set, it gets sticky sometimes. Stickiness gives birth to residues, which isn’t very pleasant to clean up. The clean-up process is very time-consuming.
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Is There Any Risk in Waxing?
Some risks cannot be overseen. Waxing intimate parts may cause some skin diseases. Skin infection or skin burn can also occur. Some minor cuts are also countable.
Both procedures have some risks. But you can avoid them if you go to an expert. A licensed esthetician is the right choice. An expert can get you waxed safely, with less pain.
Soft Wax Or Hard Wax: Which One Is Better?
Well, it depends on you. You should know the region you want to wax. As it has been discussed, choosing the right wax is body parts based. For the bikini region, hard wax is the best option, because in this region, there are not many areas to cover.
Hard wax is made for small areas like this, which makes it a better choice. However, choosing a larger area can be troublesome.
Using soft wax more than once would be painful. It will cause you pain if the waxing does not go well. But you can get smoother skin with soft wax.
Self-waxing is not a good idea. It would help if you go to a professional for better results. If you do not want to wait long during the waxing session, hard wax is for you.
For a more effective result, choose soft wax. But it would cost you more time. You can also choose according to your pain tolerance. Soft wax is more painful in comparison.
Hard Wax Vs. Soft Wax: A Comparison Table
A table can clear out the difference between these waxes. Also, it can assist you to make a choice.
| Hard Wax | Soft Wax | |
| Cost | Costlier due to heavy use of wax | Less costly |
| Popularity | Not very popular in salons for high cost | Available at a cheaper rate in salons |
| Body parts | Used on intimate areas
(does not cover that much) |
Used on arms, legs, and back (covers most of the body) |
| Risk of skin burns | Yes
(experts can overcome the risk) |
No; due to low temperature |
| Residue | None | Leave sticky residue |
| Skin irritation | Fewer chances | Higher chances |
| Setting time | Quick | Lengthy |
The difference between hard and soft wax should be clear to you by now. Now, your choice will give you an accurate result. Which one you choose is up to you.
Based on our information, both methods have some pros and cons. Choose according to the one that is better for you. Then, the waxing experience will be safer and more enjoyable.
