It’s frustrating when hair grows back so quickly after waxing. You go through the pain and effort of waxing, only to see stubble reappear in a week or less. So why does this happen?
How Waxing Removes Hair
Waxing removes hair by pulling it out at the root. The wax adheres to the hair strands and, as it hardens, grips them tightly so they can be pulled out easily. This differs from shaving, which only cuts the hair at the surface of the skin. Since waxing extracts the entire hair, it takes weeks for that hair to grow back, versus days with shaving.
However, waxing doesn’t permanently remove the hair, it only extracts the current hair shaft. The follicle, or root below the skin where hair growth originates, remains intact. The follicle is still alive, so a new hair begins to grow right after waxing.
The Hair Growth Cycle
Hair growth occurs in cycles. Each strand of hair goes through three phases:
- Anagen phase – active hair growth
- Catagen phase – transitional phase
- Telogen phase – resting phase
After the resting phase, the hair follicle becomes active again and pushes out a new hair shaft. Then the cycle repeats itself.
At any given time, about 85-90% of hair is in the anagen phase. This is when it actively grows at a rate of approximately 1⁄2 inch per month. Eyebrow hairs have a short growth cycle of about 4 months, while scalp hair can grow for 2-7 years before transitioning into the catagen phase.
Hair Cycle Lengths
Body Area | Anagen Phase |
---|---|
Scalp | 2-7 years |
Eyebrows | 4 months |
Leg/Arm | 1-2 months |
The anagen phase determines how fast hair will grow back after it’s removed. Hair on the scalp has a long active growth phase, so it can take weeks to return after waxing. Leg and arm hair has a shorter anagen phase, so it may become visible again within 1 week.
Hairs Are at Different Growth Stages
At any time, your hair is at different stages of the growth cycle. Some follicles are actively producing hairs, while others are dormant. When you wax, you remove all hairs in that area regardless of growth stage.
While hair in the anagen phase can take a long time to regrow, hair in the telogen phase is essentially “waiting” at the base of the follicle to come out. These dormant hairs will quickly push out and become visible again within 7 days of waxing.
Waxing Technique
If the waxing was not performed properly, that can also influence how quickly hair returns. Here are some reasons why the technique could impact regrowth timing:
- The wax wasn’t adhered properly to the skin and hair. This causes hairs to break off rather than be pulled out fully.
- The wax was applied against hair growth direction. It’s harder to remove hair when waxing in the wrong direction.
- The skin wasn’t held taut during waxing. This allows hairs to slip out of the wax rather than be extracted.
- The wax was removed too quickly. Slow, even pressure gives the best results.
With poor technique, hairs are more likely to break or not be pulled completely. This can lead to a faster return of visible hair growth.
Factors That Impact Hair Regrowth
A few other factors influence how quickly hair returns after waxing:
- Hormones – Higher levels of androgens like testosterone speed up hair regrowth.
- Age – Hair growth slows down as we get older. Waxing results may last longer in older individuals.
- Coarseness – Thick, coarse hairs tend to have a shorter growth cycle than fine hair.
- Genetics – Genes influence hair density and growth rates.
Those with naturally faster hair regrowth will see results from waxing diminish more quickly than others. Similarly, coarser hair on areas like the legs will grow back faster than fine hair on the arms.
How to Slow Hair Regrowth After Waxing
While you can’t change biology, here are some tips to help slow down hair regrowth after waxing:
- Exfoliate regularly to prevent ingrown hairs. Buildup in follicles can drive hair back to the surface.
- Avoid sun exposure which can stimulate hair growth. Wear SPF if spending time outdoors.
- Give your skin a break between waxing. Waxing too often can aggravate the area.
- Try topical retardants like zinc or hydrocortisone creams. These help block excess androgens.
- Get waxes consistently every 4-6 weeks to keep hair in the resting phase.
How Often to Wax for Best Results
Body Area | Regrowth Delay | Wax Frequency |
---|---|---|
Bikini | 3-6 weeks | Every 4-5 weeks |
Legs | 3-4 weeks | Every 5-6 weeks |
Arms | 2-3 weeks | Every 4 weeks |
Consistency is key! The more often you wax, the longer results will last between treatments.
Consider Longer-Term Hair Removal
If you’re tired of constantly dealing with hair regrowth, you may want to consider longer-lasting hair removal options. These include:
- Electrolysis – Destroys individual hair follicles with shortwave radio frequency.
- Laser treatments – Laser light targets melanin in hair follicles to disable growth. Works best for light skin and dark hair.
- Intense pulsed light (IPL) – Broad spectrum light heats hair to stop regrowth. Less effective than lasers.
While permanent hair removal usually requires multiple treatments, the results are much longer-lasting than shaving or waxing. The hair follicle is damaged so that it can no longer effectively regrow hair.
Conclusion
It’s normal for hair to grow back within 1 week after waxing, as hairs in the dormant phase will quickly emerge. Factors like your natural hair growth cycle, hormones, and waxing technique also influence how fast hair returns.
While frustrating, getting waxed consistently every 4-6 weeks can help slow regrowth. Exfoliating and avoiding sun can also help. If you’re tired of constant hair removal, consider permanent options like laser treatments, electrolysis, or IPL.