Waxing is one of the most popular hair removal methods out there. It is a lot less painful than laser, less irritating than shaving, and very time-saving. But not everyone knows that using wax to remove hair from your body dates back to ancient civilizations!
This approach has changed, and now we have various waxes and kits, for instance, from https://www.buyitalwax.com/waxing-kits/ for professional depilation. Let’s explore the rich history of waxing and how it advanced over the years.
Ancient Civilizations
Now, we have different wax types and techniques, but ancient civilizations didn’t have that privilege. Yet, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans all enjoyed removing their body hair.
Egyptians, in particular, were forerunners in many beauty rituals. Women of Egypt loved having smooth skin everywhere, even on their heads. They removed body hair with tweezers, pumice stones, and the oldest wax mixtures to date. It consisted of beeswax and sugar.
Romans also valued hairless skin. In the Roman Empire, it was even considered a sign of high class. The mixtures used in ancient civilizations were very basic and usually included honey, oils, water, and natural resins that could grip onto hair.
Middle East
The Middle East was next to adopt waxing as an effective hair removal method. Instead of beeswax and resin, they came up with a new mixture that involved:
- sugar;
- water;
- lemon juice.
Now, this paste is known as sugar wax, and it is still used for DIY hair removal and in reputable salons and stores like ItalWax. Women in the Middle East kept up with their waxing schedule, heating up and mixing a new sugaring paste for every hair removal session.
Europe
As the Renaissance era rolled by, Europe started catching onto the waxing craze. Queen Elizabeth I wasn’t as keen on removing body hair, but she enjoyed shaving back her hairline and pulling out facial hair, including eyebrows. After she showcased the beauty of her bare face, everyone followed to appear as close to nobility as possible.
Despite plucking and shaving her head hair, she was rumored to use waxing to remove her facial hair. Waxes stayed homemade, consisting of resin, beeswax, and other natural materials.
United States
The United States joined the waxing club in the early 20th century. Beauty standards evolved greatly at the time, with hair removal introduced to American women later on, following the trend of revealing swimsuits and apparel. In the 1980s, the popularity of fitness grew, and so did spandex sports apparel, revealing more and more skin on its fans. Waxing became genderless, with both men and women removing their hair to show off the sculpted muscles.
Modern waxing products and techniques appeared, such as soft wax and hard wax, strips, and sugaring. You could find waxing services in most salons – it was no longer as painful or irritating, especially when using hard wax. Since it suited sensitive areas well, more people started asking to wax intimate areas.
In the early 1990s, Brazilian wax was brought to the USA. The Brazilian ‘J’ sisters first added it to their services at their New York City salon, changing the world forever. Inspired by the beaches of Brazil, Brazilian wax wasn’t just hair removal – it was art. Clients could get shapes like hearts or stripes at the salon.
The ‘J’ sisters welcomed celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow, Kirstie Alley, and Naomi Campbell at the salon, and Brazilian wax appeared in popular TV shows of the time.
Waxing Today
Now, technology is constantly evolving. That means waxing and hair removal services are changing all the time, improving the technique and products. We still have the old-school waxes like soft, hard, and sugar. Additionally, stores and salons carry roll-on waxes and wax strips.
Those with sensitive skin removing their hair have probably encountered hypoallergenic waxes suitable for all skin types. Low-temperature mixes allow for a comfortable salon appointment, too, melting at a medium temperature.
Pre- and post-waxing products are applied before and after hair removal, helping to soothe the skin, remove redness, prevent bumps and ingrown hair, and promote body hair thinning. So, anywhere you go, you can have a pleasant experience with estheticians catering to your unique needs and conditions.
Shaping Beauty Standards Through Centuries
Waxing, the technique we see at all salons nowadays, has been born centuries ago. From Egyptian women who enjoyed having their full body hair free to Romans who saw hair as a sign of low society, ancient civilizations preferred waxing. In the Middle East and Europe, waxing was seen as a sophisticated beauty procedure. Even Queen Elizabeth I used wax on her face!
As beauty standards evolved, the United States also caught onto the waxing craze. Since then, the approach and products have changed to the best, and waxing has become a prominent technique that allows men and women around the world to feel more confident.
