How To Make Wax At Home

Waxing is a semi-permanent hair removal method that aims at removing hair from the root. Growth of new hair on the waxed area depends on the human hair growth cycle, with some individuals not showing any growth for 4-6 weeks, whereas some people see regrowth in only a week. The process of waxing removes the entire hair shaft from below the skin’s surface, making it one of the most effective methods of temporary hair removal.

The different types of wax that are used for the removal of unwanted hair are:

• Strip waxing:

1. A thin layer of wax is spread evenly on the skin.
2. Then, disposable cloth or paper strip is pressed firmly on the wax and ripped off in a quick movement against the direction of hair growth, removing the wax and hair, thus, leaving the skin smooth.
3. To ensure effectiveness, the hair growth should be at least a quarter-inch so that it can be successfully removed from the skin. 

There are three different forms of soft wax:

1. Heated soft wax- this sort of wax is most commonly found in a port and can be easily softened by microwave or warmer. The heat allows the wax to spread easily over the skin making the hair soft, thus, reducing the pain.
2. Cold soft wax- this sort of wax is applied directly on the ski from the port. The firmness, however, makes it difficult to get an even layer onto the skin, leaving behind hair if not applied properly, and turning out to be quite a painful process.
3. Pre-made strips- they come with wax already attached to the strips. It is the easiest method and allows just the correct amount of application of the product. Pre-heating the strips before the application is advised as this allows them to stick well on the hair. This can be done by simply done by rubbing the strips in between the palms before application. 

• Hot waxing:

1. Hot, soft wax is applied directly onto the skin.
2. On cooling, the wax hardens and can be removed easily without the use of any cloth or strips. This strip-less waxing method is said to be less painful, and also a good choice for people with sensitive skin.

• Sugaring wax: It is the best method for people who have sensitive skin, or those who prefer chemical-free, natural ingredients. It is easy to make and safe for most all skin types.

Home Remedies For Making Wax:

Sugar And Honey Wax:

Ingredients:

• Brown sugar/ regular white sugar
• Raw honey
• Water

Directions:

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of each brown sugar/regular white sugar, raw honey, and water in a microwave-safe bowl, and cook it in the microwave for about 30-35 seconds until you get the right consistency and it turns brown in colour.
2. Allow the wax to cool down a bit after removing it from heat. Apply it onto your skin with a spatula. 
3. Place a cloth strip over the area of application and smooth it out in the direction of the hair. Then, in a swift motion, pull the cloth in the opposite direction. 
4. Repeat the process on areas from where you want to get rid of unwanted hair.

Strawberry Wax:

Ingredients:

• Strawberries
• Beeswax
• Honey
• Egg whites

Directions:

1. Use equal quantities of beeswax, strawberries, honey and egg whites.
2. Add some strawberries, egg whites, and honey to a container and mix it well. Then add some separately heated beeswax to this mixture.
3. Apply the mixture onto the skin, and using cotton strips, pull them in the direction opposite to hair growth.
4. This wax is effective for sensitive skin.

Sugar and Lemon Juice Wax:

Ingredients:

• Brown sugar/ regular white sugar
• Lemon juice
• Water

Directions:

1. Add 2 tablespoons of water as well as freshly squeezed lemon juice to 1 cup of brown sugar/ regular white sugar, in a bowl on medium heat, while constantly stirring the mixture for 8-10 minutes.
2. Once the consistency of the wax is similar to honey, let it cool and then apply it to your skin. Using thin cloth strips, pull the wax in a rapid manner in the direction opposite to your hair growth.

Cucumber, Baking soda, and Milk Wax:

Ingredients:

• Gelatin 
• Milk
• Baking soda
• Cucumber juice

Directions:

1. Mix 2 teaspoons of gelatin, 2 tablespoons of milk, ½ a teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 tablespoon of cucumber juice in a bowl and microwave the mixture for 10-12 seconds while stirring it constantly to get rid of lumps and air pockets.
2. Apply it onto the skin using a makeup brush, and let it dry. Once fully dried, peel it off i.e. gently roll it out of your skin.

Sugar, Honey, and Lemon Juice Wax:

Ingredients:

• Brown sugar/regular white sugar
• Raw honey 
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions:

1. Add 1 cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of honey, and lemon juice each into a bowl and heat the mixture for 2-3 minutes in a microwave.
2. Once cooled down, apply it onto the skin.
3. Using thin cloth strips, pull the wax in a rapid manner in the direction opposite to your hair growth.

Egg Mask Wax:

Ingredients:

• Corn flour
• Egg
• Sugar

Directions:

1. Separate the egg white from the yolk in a bowl, and add a little cornflour and sugar to the whites, mixing it well to make a smooth paste.
2. Apply the paste onto the skin in the direction of hair growth and let it dry for 20-25 minutes. 
3. Peel off the mixture in the direction opposite to hair growth.

Waxing Strips:

Ingredients:

• Sugar
• Citric acid
• Glycerin
• Wax paper

Directions:

1. Add 2 1/4th cups of sugar to 1 cup of water in a saucepan, and stir it well till the sugar completely dissolves into the water.
2. Add a solution of 1/4th teaspoon of citric acid and ½ a cup of warm water to the saucepan and stir it well.
3. Remove the mixture from heat, and add ½ a teaspoon of glycerin to it.
4. Put the paper wax side up of the wax paper in a plastic container and evenly spread the homemade wax on it in strips of measurements 3”/2”. 
5. Then refrigerate the wax strips until you want to use them. Heat them slightly before use.

Sugar Wax:

Ingredients:

• White sugar
• Water
• Salt
• Vinegar (white vinegar/apple cider vinegar)
• Essential oil (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix 1 cup of white sugar, 1/5th cup of water, and 2 teaspoons of vinegar in a non-stick pan on the stove, heating it over a medium-low flame until the ingredients combine to form a thick mixture.
2. Squirt some water onto your kitchen counter, and once the mixture has turned a golden colour pour it over the water and quickly start pushing the edges towards the centre to form a ball. This should be done quickly as the mixture hardens at a fast pace.
3. Subsequently, wet your hands and start pulling and stretching the sugar wax ball to make it soft and pliable.
4. Stretch the wax flat onto your skin in the direction opposite to your hair growth, letting it sit for 3 seconds, then quickly pull it off in the direction of hair growth.

Green Tea Peel Off Wax:

Ingredients:

• Gelatin/ agar agar
• Green tea
• Water

Directions:

1. Mix ½ a cup of water and green tea in a saucepan on a medium flame. Subsequently, add gelatin to the mixture and cook it for 15 minutes till a thick consistency is obtained.
2. Apply the wax onto your skin in the direction of hair growth and let it dry. Once dried, peel it off in the direction opposite to hair growth.

Camphor and White Pepper Wax:

Ingredients:

• White pepper
• Camphor
• Almond oil

Directions:

1. Mix equal quantities of camphor, white pepper, and almond oil together to make a light paste.
2. Apply this paste onto the skin and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Subsequently, wash it off.

Indian Nettle and Turmeric:

Ingredients:

• Indian nettle
• Turmeric
• Water

Directions:

1. Add dry turmeric powder to a few freshly crushed Indian nettle leaves, and mix it well with water.
2. Apply this mixture onto the skin in the direction of hair growth and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Once it dries completely, peel it off in the direction opposite to hair growth.

Raw Papaya:

Ingredients:

• Papaya paste
• Aloe vera gel
• Mustard oil
• Gram flour
• Turmeric powder
• Any essential oil

Directions:

1. Mix all the ingredients in equal quantities together to make a thick paste and add a few drops of essential oil.
2. Apply the paste on the skin in the direction opposite to hair growth and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Then, remove the paste with a clean dry cloth, subsequently washing the area, and pat it dry. 

Onion and Basil:

Ingredients:

• Onions
• Some basil leaves

Directions:

1. Crush the thin layers of the onion and add 10-12 basil leaves to it, making a paste.
2. Apply this paste onto the skin and leave it on for 20-25 minutes. Subsequently, wash it off and pat dry.

Banana and Oatmeal:

Ingredients:

• A ripe banana
• Oatmeal

Directions:

1. Mash a medium-sized ripe banana to turn it into a paste and add 1-2 teaspoons of oatmeal to it, and mix well.
2. Apply this onto the skin, rubbing it in a circular motion and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Wash off the paste with lukewarm water and pat dry. 

Chickpea Flour:

Ingredients:

• Chickpea flour
• Turmeric powder
• Fresh cream
• Milk

Directions:

1. Mix equal quantities of all the ingredients to make a lump-free paste.
2. Apply this paste onto the skin and leave it on for 20-30 minutes.
3. Once dried, rub it off with wet hands in the direction opposite to hair growth.

Green Gram Flour and Rosewater:

Ingredients:

• Green gram flour
• Rosewater 
• Lemon juice

Directions:

1. Mix both the ingredients and add a few drops of lemon juice to make a consistent paste.
2. Apply this paste onto the skin, let it rest for 20 to 25 minutes and then wash off and pat dry.

Lentils and Honey:

Ingredients:

• Red lentils
• Honey
• Milk

Directions:

1. Grind 1/2 a cup of red lentils and add honey and milk to it to form a smooth paste.
2. Apply this mixture onto your skin and let it dry. Subsequently, scrub it gently on the face and wash it off with water.

Safflower Oil and Thanaka Powder:

Ingredients:

• Safflower oil
• Thanaka powder

Directions:

1. Add sufficient amounts of Safflower oil to thanaka powder in a bowl and mix the two well.
2. Apply this mixture onto the areas of unwanted hair growth leaving it overnight. Wash it off early the next morning.

Potato Juice and Baking Soda:

Ingredients:

• Gelatin
• Potato juice
• Milk
• Baking soda

Directions:

1. Mix 2 teaspoons of potato juice, 5 teaspoons of milk, ½ a teaspoon of baking soda, and 2 teaspoons of gelatin powder in a bowl. Make a wax using a double boiler.
2. Apply the mixture onto the skin and let it dry completely. Then, peel it off in the direction opposite to hair growth.

Sugar and Molasses:

Ingredients:

• Sugar
• Molasses
• Lemon Juice

Directions:

1. Add a drizzle of molasses onto 1 cup of sugar and microwave it for 2-3 minutes.
2. Once the sugar has dissolved, add freshly squeezed lemon juice to it and mix it well.
3. Apply the mixture onto the skin in the direction of hair growth. Using thin cloth strips, pull the wax in a rapid manner in the direction opposite to your hair growth.

Precautions:

• Avoid showering two hours before your wax.
• Do a patch test to see how receptive your skin is.
• Apply a cooling gel-like aloe vera post waxing.
• Apply minimal makeup post waxing.

Side Effects:

• Redness
• Burning and scarring
• Sunburn

Myths and Facts:

Myth: Hair will grow back thicker.

Fact: Hair grows back finer, and the rate of growth becomes slower.

Myth: It harms the skin.

Fact:  While waxing may cause minor skin eruptions and inflammation, it subsides within a few hours.

Myth: You won’t get an ingrown hair.

Fact: Some people are prone to ingrown hair, even while using homemade wax, which can only be reduced by proper exfoliation.

Pros:

• The natural ingredients make the skin soft and glow.
• Chances of skin rash and infections are low.
• It removes the hair as well as moisturizes the skin.
• It reduces the production of hair.
• Exfoliates the skin.

Cons:

• It is only effective for a certain length of hair.
• If not carried out properly, it can cause skin burn, irritations, infections and bacterial diseases.
• It can be a painful process.

 Frequently Asked Questions:

Question: Where all can homemade wax be used?

Answer: It can be used for all the areas of the body i.e. legs, arms, underarms, upper lip, chin, and even eyebrows. The bikini area should proceed with caution. 

Question: How long will the results last?

Answer: The results are dependent on the individual’s hair growth rate, however over time, the growth rate slows down.

Question: How often should I wax at home?

Answer: If you continue to wax at home, the cycle should be kept continuous i.e. every 4 weeks.