One of the most annoying things about baldness is the maintenance. Shaving 2-3 times per week is a lot of upkeep, so to stay smoother for longer, can you remove hair on your head with wax?
Read on to see why I don’t recommend it, and to find out everything you need to know about waxing your head bald.
Can you wax your head hair?
You absolutely can wax your head hair. For a smoother finish than even the sharpest razor, waxing will do a great job because shaving only cuts off the hair just above the skin. Waxing removes the hair from within the scalp, so it takes longer to grow back.
I don’t like the contrast of the stubble that grows around the back and sides against the true bald areas on top my head. If you’re the same, waxing is an option for a more even coloration on your bald head.
This is especially true if you want a shiny bald head, as a stubbly scalp is less likely to reflect the light than a smooth surface.
However, that doesn’t mean that shopping for bald head wax is necessarily a good idea. Can I wax my head? Yes, I can. Am I going to? Absolutely not. And here’s why:
Does waxing your head hurt?
Waxing your head can be painful because there’s lots of nerve endings in your scalp. This means it is sensitive to the process of ripping out hundreds of hairs at once. Everyone’s pain threshold is different, but it’s likely to hurt more than say, waxing your legs.
If you’re not convinced, watch this video. I guarantee you’ll think twice about waxing afterwards.
How long does a waxed head last?
Generally speaking, waxing your hair should leave your head smooth for two to three weeks. People say longer, but that’s because it’s relative to how smooth you usually like it. Realistically, after three weeks you’re going to notice the hairs starting to regrow.
But does hair grow back thinner after waxing? Does it damage the hair follicle or pull out the root?
Dr. Neal Schulz of Park Avenue Skin Care explains that the idea that waxing affects hair regrowth is an understandable myth:
“When you wax… it’s just like any other form of pulling the hair out. Whether it’s tweezing or whether it’s threading, the whole hair gets pulled out from the root.
“Then the hair follicle… starts to make a hair the same. It puts in the same number of cells, it’s not thinner, it’s not thicker.”
Dr. Schulz goes on to explain why people may think hair grows back finer after waxing:
Waxing head hair won’t stop the regrowth, or even reduce it. This is because waxing pulls the hair out directly from the root, but it’s a myth that this somehow damages the follicle.
Is waxing your head better than shaving?
Waxing your head is better than shaving in that it will give a smoother finish and last a lot longer. This is because rather than just cutting off the hair at the surface, waxing removes the hair at the root and takes it completely out of the follicle.
However, it’s a lot more painful than shaving and needs equipment like the wax itself and the wax strips, whereas most people already have a razor and shaving cream.
Can you make your own head wax?
If you’re going to wax your head at home, there are a number of recipes online for homemade wax for hair removal. However, I wouldn’t recommend a DIY approach as it’s a painful process and you’re better in the hands of a professional.
If you’re still interested in making your own, here are 8 easy homemade wax recipes for hair removal from Shalu Bhati over at fabbon.com.
Can I shave missed hairs after waxing?
If you miss a few hairs while waxing it’s tempting just to grab a razor and quickly finish the job. This is fine if you don’t want to start waxing again, but the downside is that the hair will grow back unevenly.
Not only will the shaved hairs grow back much quicker, but the shaved areas will look thicker and darker as they regrow. This is because shaving cuts off the hair at the base, forming a thick, blunt end.
On the other hand, waxing removes the hair at the root. This means the new hair (when it eventually regrows) will have a fine, pointed tip that appears much lighter. The contrast against the longer, thicker hairs that were shaved will be noticeable, so you’ll need to keep up the maintenance to keep it even.
How can I remove hair from my head without shaving?
If you don’t want to shave your head, there are other options, including waxing. There’s also hair removal cream which is less painful, but the results can be mixed. Often the hair just softens up rather than dissolving entirely, and it can leave a burning sensation afterwards.
But what if you’re sick of the ongoing maintenance of shaving, waxing or using hair removal cream, and you want a more long-term solution?
Is permanent hair removal possible?
You can pay for laser hair removal to avoid having to wax or shave, but it can’t be reversed if you change your mind so you need to be sure. It can also be expensive, and there’s actually no guarantee of truly permanent hair removal from this process.
Results vary from person to person. While some people achieve near-permanent results, others see hair start to regrow after a number of years. When that happens, the thickness of the hair can be affected so any regrowth might not be the same density as before.
Summary
When you’re looking into how to make bald look good, it’s tempting to look for shortcuts to reducing hair growth.
However, head waxing is a drastic solution to a minor problem. It’s a painful experience to go through on a regular basis, just to avoid shaving every few days.
Personally, I don’t think the juice is worth the squeeze. The maintenance routine is a very minor disadvantage to shaving your head.
On the other hand, feel free to make your own mind up – they do say try anything once!
