Can Cold Wax Be Heated? (And How To Use It)
When it comes to waxing, there are several options to choose from. The two main types of waxes used are hot waxes and cold waxes.
Although both perform the same job of pulling hairs from the follicle, they have some significant differences, mainly in their application methods.
Cold wax, in particular, is relatively easy to use, and you don’t need much preparation with the wax itself before you get started.
You can heat up hot wax, but can you heat up cold wax?
Technically, the answer is yes, you can, but it’s not recommended, as cold wax is usually sold pre-applied to strips that are designed to be heated up slightly using body warmth from your hands, then applied to the skin.
The Difference Between Hot Wax and Cold Wax
Hot wax is a method that uses melted wax for hair removal. The wax is applied to the skin while it is still warm, allowing it to be spread evenly over the skin.
Soft, hot wax requires a strip to be placed on top of it once it is on the skin, to help remove the wax. In contrast, hard, hot wax can be removed from the skin as is, with no strip needed.
As the hot wax cools on the skin, it molds onto the surface and grips each strand of hair, removing it when it is pulled quickly off the skin. Hot wax is the traditional method used at a waxing salon.
Cold wax works in a very similar way to hot wax but does not require a heat source. It can be applied at a lukewarm temperature or heated by rubbing it between the hands.
When you buy cold wax, it can either come on its own (in which case you’d need to purchase wax strips) or come prepared on a waxing strip.
Cold wax is primarily used by those waxing at home, as it is fairly easy to use when applied to a strip, and there is no risk of burning your skin with wax that is too hot.
Can I Heat Up Cold Wax?
Hot wax is considered more effective than cold wax, as it adheres more tightly to the hair and removes more hair with each pull.
However, many people at home choose to use cold wax purely because it is so much easier to work with, and you can travel with it without worrying about bringing a wax melter and wax application sticks.
With the effectiveness of hot wax, it might be tempting to try and heat up your cold wax strips at home.
If you have cold wax that is pre-applied to strips, it may be difficult to heat them up, and you may lose the integrity of the wax and the strip if heated in the microwave.
You could always try heating it for a few seconds in the microwave, just enough to be slightly warm without the risk of burning your skin, to see if it makes any difference.
Otherwise, simply rub the wax strip between your hands to warm it before applying it to your skin.
Cold wax does not work as well as hot wax in opening up pores, which makes it slightly less effective; however, it does make it more tolerable for people who are sensitive to heat.
How To Use Cold Wax
Using cold wax is beautifully simple, which is why it’s a great option to use at home. Following a few simple steps will allow you to achieve the best results possible with your cold wax.
- Exfoliate your skin two days before using cold wax to remove any dead skin cells and prepare the skin’s surface for the cold wax to adhere more efficiently.
- Wash your skin before waxing to remove any products or impurities.
- Dry your skin thoroughly to ensure that no moisture is left behind, as this can prevent the cold wax strip from working effectively.
- Rub the wax strip between your hands to warm it up slightly to activate the wax.
- Firmly press the strip down in the direction of hair growth.
- Pull the skin taut before removing the wax strip from the skin.
- Quickly remove the cold wax strip from the skin in the opposite direction of hair growth to properly remove the hair from the follicles.
- Repeat this until you have removed all the hair from the area.
- Clean off any residual wax that may be left behind with coconut oil or specially designed post-wax oil.
The Benefits of Cold Wax
Many people choose to use cold waxing strips at home, as they are safer to use and make for a quicker and easier application.
The benefits of cold wax make it a favorite among many, and while cold wax may not be as effective as hot wax, it performs the job well enough to be used by a large number of people.
- Cold wax, especially in strips, is easy and quick to apply to the skin and sticks fairly easily to the smallest of hairs.
- The wax only needs to be applied to the skin for a few seconds before being removed, as it does not require drying or setting like traditional hot wax.
- Using cold wax is less painful than warm wax, as it eliminates the risk of burning associated with hot wax.
- Cold wax is also less messy than hot wax, as the strips are already prepared and can be disposed of easily; in contrast, hot wax can become messy very quickly.
- Cold wax strips are also perfect for use in smaller and hard-to-reach areas of the body, such as the face and bikini area, which are often contoured. The strips can be cut into smaller pieces to suit specific areas of the body.
- Cold wax strips can be used a few times to remove all the hair until the strip loses its grip, whereas hot wax can only be used once as it hardens very quickly.
- Many cold wax strips contain soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera, which help calm and soothe the skin while still effectively removing hair.
The Downfalls Of Cold Wax
Like with anything, cold wax has its benefits and drawbacks, and whether or not the benefits outweigh the drawbacks is entirely up to personal preference.
Here are some of the issues you might encounter when using cold wax:
- Cold wax often leaves a sticky residue on the skin, which needs to be removed with coconut oil, soapy water, or a warm, damp washcloth.
- Cold wax does not always remove hair from the root the first time, and you may need to reapply the wax strip to the skin several times before all the hair is removed from the area.
- Cold wax strips can increase the risk of irritation if used repeatedly to try to remove all the hair in a single area during the same waxing application.
- Cold wax strips can sometimes be more expensive than hot wax, which is often sold in bulk bags of wax beads at a reduced price.
Related Questions
What are the disadvantages of waxing?
As effective as waxing is in removing hair, there are some disadvantages. Waxing can damage the skin by being too hot or removing skin along with the hair.
Waxing can also lead to folliculitis, a condition where the hair follicles, left open from waxing, come into contact with bacteria. ingrown hairs, which can become infected and cause significant pain.
Which wax is best for winter?
Cold waxes are best used in winter. Winter tends to be drier, and this means drier skin as well.
Many cold wax strips are infused with caring agents, such as aloe vera, which help protect the skin during the waxing process and provide it with extra moisture and hydration to combat dryness.
Is it okay to shave between waxes?
You should avoid shaving between waxes.
Your hair needs to be at a certain length to be properly waxed. Shaving between waxes can shorten the hair, which means the wax will not adhere to the hair properly.
Shaving also encourages the hair to grow back quicker, thicker, and coarser.
Does hair grow back finer after waxing?
As waxing damages the hair follicles, it causes the hair to grow back thinner, finer, and more slowly. Many people find that their hair growth is drastically reduced after years of continuous waxing.
Heating Cold Wax
One of the best features of cold wax is that it does not require heating beyond a simple rub between the hands.
This saves a significant amount of time and mess that comes with hot wax, which is exactly why so many people choose to use cold wax strips.
You can try warming up your cold wax strips in the microwave to encourage the wax to melt more, but this may compromise the actual effectiveness of the wax and damage the strips as well.
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