To shave or to wax? The ongoing debate, but which is better for your skin?

We spend a lot of time and money chasing that smooth, fuzz-free skin. There are so many different methods to choose from but the most common (and accessible) are shaving and waxing. There’s no doubt that each has their own pros and cons, so let’s take a look at how they compare.

Shaving pros

• Quick and easy to do in the comfort of your own home.
• Cheaper than salon waxes, especially when shaving with a safety razor as the refills are $0.19 per blade, $0.019 per shave!
• Nowhere near as painful as waxing as you’re removing hair from the surface of the skin.
• No need to wait for your hair to grow out before shaving.
• Shaving can act as an exfoliation.
• Safety razors reduce shaving irritation, great for sensitive skin.

Shaving cons

• Plastic razors (unlike safety razors) can lead to shaving irritation, which is caused from the ‘moisturizing strip’ which is loaded with toxic chemicals, not the blade itself!
• Plastic multi-blade razors can also cause ingrown hairs as they use the ‘lift and tug’ method. Safety razors on the other hand are great for getting rid of ingrown hairs, learn why here.
• Results only last 2 to 3 days (longer with s Safety razor).
• Dull blades can cause irritation and cuts.

Waxing pros

• Re-growth becomes thinner over time with waxing.
• Results for waxing last between 3 and 4 weeks.

Waxing cons

• Can often be more painful, especially depending on where you’re waxing!
• Can sometimes cause inflammation, redness, ingrown hairs and skin irritation especially for those with sensitive skin.
• Waxing facial hair while using retinoid or acne products can lead to scarring or infections.
• You’ve got to grow your hair out to get it waxed, we’ve all been there in that awkward waiting-in-between phase.

Shaving tips

1. Don’t dry shave, ever. Dry shaving leads to extreme irritation, especially if you’re shaving with a safety razor as it offers a closer shave than a plastic multi-blade razor.
2. Always soak your skin in a hot bath or shower so that your pores are fully open and the hair has softened.
3. Preparation is key! Prep your skin with a shave oil or shave soap, or even both! We love the oil as you get a great slick for the razor and no need to moisturize post-shave!
4. When shaving coarser hair like the bikini or pubic area, go WITH the grain first, then you can go in multiple different directions afterwards if you don't have very sensitive skin.

Waxing tips

1. There is definitely a skill to waxing, so if you’re new to waxing a trip to the salon might be best.
2. Keep a close eye on the temperature of the wax so as not to burn your skin. If you’re new to waxing.
3. Avoid tanning! Don’t sunbath for at least 24 hours before and after waxing.

Which will you go for?

There’s no doubt that when it comes to shaving, a safety razor offers far more advantages than a plastic multi-blade razor. However, when it comes to shaving vs. waxing, that will depend which factor is most important to you and your skin.

If the most important factor is being fuzz-free for 2+ weeks with no maintenance, then maybe waxing is for you.

On the other hand, if you want a more economical option that’s kinder to sensitive skin, then shaving might be your best bet.

It’s all down to personal preference, maybe you’ll even alternate between both depending on the situation.