Your body has its own natural rhythm of hair growth cycles. This is the ebb and flow of hair growing, resting, and then shedding that happens naturally within everyone, but all at our own pace. It is important to be familiar with your own growth cycles when it comes to hair removal. Being familiar with the rate at which your hair grows and goes through these cycles can help you determine when and how often your waxing appointments should be made.
What is the standard hair growth cycle?
The standard hair growth cycle consists of four phases – the anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen. We will be going over the first three stages of your hair's growth cycle as they are the most commonly experienced during your waxing sessions. The final stage, exogen, is simply a release of the hair follicle from the hair root that causes the hair to shed.
Anagen phase
The anagen phase is the longest of the four phases. This phase consists of growth and is where your hair obtains its length. The Anagen phase can last anywhere from three to seven years for head hair, but 30 to 45 days for hair on your body like your legs. This depends on you and any factors that may inhibit or stop its growth.
Thankfully, each part of your body has different anagen phase lengths. For example: the hair on your eyebrows will not stay in the growth phase as long as the hairs from your scalp.
Catagen phase
The catagen is the second part of the hair growth cycle. During this phase, the hair begins to slow its growth and detach from the hair follicle. This phase can last around 11 days and is the transitional phase prior to your hairs resting and dormant stage.
Telogen phase
The telogen phase is considered the resting phase. This is when your hair is either growing or actively falling out. The length of the Telogen phase depends on the hair type. Hair like your eyebrows or legs may have a longer telogen phase than the hair on your head.
If hair is forcefully removed during this phase, you may see a white hair bulb at the base of the hair shaft where the follicle was connected to the scalp. This is a great indicator when trying to tell what phase your hair is in.
Why is booking regular waxing appointments important?
Booking regular waxing appointments can be an important component to making your waxing sessions easier on you. There are a few positives to waxing regularly, so let’s
look into why maintaining a regular waxing schedule can help you!
What continuous 4-6 week waxing sessions do
Waxing regularly, that's every four to six weeks, allows you to feel confident in knowing that you’ve removed all of your hair, regardless of what growth cycle those hairs may have been in. Maintaining that four to six week time frame can be even more critical for areas with coarse hair such as a bikini wax or a brazilian wax, and will allow for the best results.
Benefits of constant sessions
When you maintain a consistent waxing schedule, you are actually assisting in making your waxing sessions easier and less painful. Through multiple routine waxing sessions, your hair will begin to grow back finer and more sparse. In addition, routine waxing can help prevent ingrown hairs as your skin gets used to the process, and your exfoliation routine remains consistent. That means no more annoying bumps. Just smooth, beautiful skin!
When is the best time to start receiving waxing services?
While this may seem counterintuitive, the best time to start your waxing service is during the winter. While you may think waxing during the summer, when the areas of your body that you want hair-free may be most frequently exposed, is the best time to start but this is not the case.
While you may be more inclined to stick with a routine waxing session if you know you are more likely to want it (during the summer), the truth of the matter is that beginning your waxing session during the winter ensures your hair growth cycle has evened out. Once your growth cycle has leveled out in any areas of concern, your waxing sessions have a propensity to be less frequent.
Lastly, if you begin in the summer, you may be less likely to continue your routine sessions during the winter. As more clothes stay on, you’ll be tempted to let your hair grow out and regain its strength and density. Always try to set yourself and your hair up for success!
Start your waxing journey with Stripped Wax & Beauty
Starting your routine waxing journey is an exciting endeavor that can bring out the best of your skin and boost your confidence. If you’re looking to love the skin you’re in, trust Stripped Wax & Beauty with your waxing needs. Our trained professionals and high quality waxing are our pride and joy.
We love the art and skill behind waxing just as much as we love our clients. Book with us today, we can't wait to meet you!
