If You Remove Vellus Hair While Waxing
We’ve all been there – you’re about to wax and suddenly, you’re wondering what will happen if you remove vellus hair while doing it. Vellus hair, or as it’s commonly known, peach fuzz, is that fine, colorless hair that covers most of our bodies. It’s natural and harmless but can become a concern when it comes to beauty routines like waxing.
Here’s the deal: waxing does remove vellus hair. In fact, any form of depilation (hair removal) will take off both your thicker terminal hairs and the finer vellus hairs. That being said, there are some considerations to keep in mind before deciding whether or not removing vellus hair is right for you.
Firstly, let’s debunk one common myth: Contrary to popular belief, waxing your vellus hair won’t make them grow back darker or thicker. This misconception stems from the fact that new growth after shaving feels coarser because it has a blunt tip. However, with waxing since the entire follicle is pulled out from the root during the process, when it grows back (if at all), it’ll be just as fine and soft as before.
What is Vellus Hair?
Let’s dive right in. Have you ever noticed those fine, almost invisible hairs that cover a large part of your body? They’re called vellus hairs. Compared to the thicker, darker and more noticeable hair we have on our heads, eyebrows and other parts of the body (known as terminal hair), vellus hair seems almost insignificant. But it’s there for good reasons.
Firstly, vellus hair provides a layer of insulation for our bodies. It helps us maintain a consistent body temperature by trapping heat close to the skin surface. You might not think such tiny hairs can make much of a difference, but they truly do play an essential role in our body’s thermoregulation process.
Secondly, these small hairs help wick sweat away from our skin. If you’ve ever been working out and noticed beads of sweat forming on your arms or legs – that’s in part due to your vellus hair doing its job! By providing an outlet for perspiration, these little hairs assist in keeping you cool when temperatures rise.
It’s also worth mentioning that vellus hair varies greatly between individuals based on factors like genetics and hormones. Some people may have denser coverage while others might possess fewer strands; some may be longer while others are shorter.
In conclusion (oops… I mean) So there you have it – a brief intro to the understated world of vellus hair! Now that we’ve gotten acquainted with what this type of hair is all about, let’s delve deeper into how waxing interacts with these subtle protectors of our skin.
The process of waxing
Let’s delve into the world of waxing, shall we? It’s a hair removal technique that’s been around for ages. Waxing primarily involves applying warm wax to your skin in the direction of hair growth. Once the wax cools down and hardens slightly, it adheres to the hairs.
Next up is what some might call the ‘ouch’ part! You’ll yank off the hardened wax quickly in the opposite direction of hair growth. This swift movement aims at pulling out hair from its root rather than breaking it at surface level like shaving does.
Now, you might be wondering about vellus hairs – those fine, almost invisible hairs covering most parts of our body. Does waxing remove these as well? Well, I’m here to tell you that yes, it does! When you apply wax on your skin, it doesn’t differentiate between thick terminal hairs or thin vellus ones. As long as there’s enough length for the wax to grip onto (usually about 1/4 inch), it’ll come off during a typical wax session.
However, is this good or bad? We’ve all heard myths floating around about how removing vellus hair can lead to thicker or darker regrowth. But rest assured folks – this is simply not true! Your hair thickness and color are determined by factors like genetics and hormones, not by whether you choose to shave or wax.
So there you have it – a peek into what happens when you decide to take on those unruly hairs with some warm gooey stuff! Whether or not you opt for regular sessions will depend entirely on your personal preferences and pain threshold.
Effects of waxing on vellus hair
Ever wondered what happens to your vellus hair when you wax? I’ve delved into the subject and here’s what I’ve found. Vellus hair, often referred to as peach fuzz, is that fine, light-colored and soft hair you see on your face and body. It doesn’t usually respond to hormonal changes like its counterpart – the terminal hair (the coarser, darker kind).
One common misconception is that waxing makes these tiny hairs grow back thicker or darker. This isn’t true! The structure of your hair follicle determines the thickness and color of your hair, not the removal method. So why does it sometimes feel like it’s growing back coarser? That’s because when we wax, we’re removing the hair from its root and a new one grows in its place. As this new sprout pushes through your skin, it can appear darker or more noticeable.
It’s worth noting though, repeated removal of vellus hairs can lead to some mild irritation or inflammation around the follicles which could make them look prominent for a while.
