10 Real Benefits of Waxing (That Beat Shaving Every Time)

If you’re still shaving in 2025, we have questions. And one of them is: how’s that razor burn treating you?

Listen, waxing is the hair removal method for grown adults. Compared to shaving or chemical depilatory creams, waxing pulls hair from the root resulting in smoother skin, fewer ingrowns, actual exfoliation, and no 5 o’clock shadow by lunch. Think of it as the luxury sedan to shaving’s busted tricycle. 

Below, we'll unpack the benefits of waxing—and exactly why it's the undefeated champion of hair removal, with long-lasting, skin-loving, ingrown-crushing results that shaving simply can’t compete with. You want baby dolphin skin? Low-maintenance upkeep? A method that doesn’t play you with next-day stubble? Keep reading. We’re about to ruin shaving for you forever.

At Ted D Bare, San Jose’s favorite body waxing studio, our soft wax technique is surgically clean and efficient—we handle large areas, sensitive skin, and jumpy clients with ease and 20 years of experience. Your skin? Smooth. Your dignity? Fully intact. Kind of. 😬 If you’ve ever wondered why waxing continues to be one of the most sought-after services, this guide breaks it all down.

The Top 10 Benefits of Waxing

1. Waxing Provides Longer-Lasting Results

Shaving is the emotional support “situationship” of hair removal that you should have ended a long time ago—but because you didn’t, it keeps popping up, and you keep rolling your eyes. With shaving, most people see regrowth within 24 to 48 hours—because razors only remove hair at the surface. It never commits to just pulling the entire strand out from the root. Waxing, on the other hand, rips the whole damn thing out from its follicular inception. No mercy. No stubble. No calling you the next day.

Why Waxing Lasts Longer Than Shaving

When hair is yanked from the root, the follicle needs actual time to regenerate. We’re talking three to six weeks of smooth, nothing-there real estate. Thank you Biology. This makes waxing a massive upgrade from the Groundhog Day cycle of shave–regrow–repeat.

Waxing interrupts that loop. Your body has to work harder to regrow the hair, and that delay is your window of freedom from razor bumps and daily upkeep. 

Typical Regrowth Timeline (What to Expect)

For most people, touch-ups aren’t necessary until week three-ish. The best part: the more consistently you wax, the lazier your hair gets. Regrowth slows down. Strands get sparse. And eventually, your wax sessions feel more like fine-tuning than full-blown warfare. The official term is follicular fatigue because we're smart and professional.

2. Smoother Skin Without the Stubble

Stubble is shaving’s thoughtful parting gift. It shows up fast, feels like sandpaper, and turns “smooth skin” into a 12-hour lie. Shaving cuts hair at an angle, which leaves sharp edges that push through your skin like cactus spikes - especially on areas like the underarms, legs and bikini line. 

Waxing, however, doesn’t have time to play that way.

With waxing, the hair grows back softer and finer. You’ll avoid that rough feeling that usually appears 24 hours after a shave, and your skin will stay visibly smoother for weeks. One of the often-overlooked waxing benefits is the sheer difference in texture.

3. Hair Grows Back Finer and Softer

Shaving is basically giving your hair a flat-top haircut, so the end result is thick, blunt, and highly visible. That’s why people think their hair grows back darker or coarser after shaving. Truth is, it doesn't, but it looks that way. 

Waxing, however, plays the long game.

Does Waxing Make Hair Thinner?

Technically, waxing doesn’t shrink your follicles. But it does weaken them. Think of it like taking the alpha energy right out of your hair. This is especially true with areas you wax consistently, like your legs, face, or bikini line.

Over time, the repeated trauma to the root delays regrowth and alters the hair’s texture. It grows back finer, wispier, and less aggressive.

Waxing literally trains your follicles to give up. Consistent waxing sends a clear message: you’re not needed here. And eventually, your hair listens.

4. Built-In Exfoliation for Brighter Skin

Here’s the part they neglect to inform you in drugstore razor ads: waxing can brighten your skin because it exfoliates while it removes hair. True story. As the wax lifts the hair, it also pulls away dead skin cells which helps improve overall texture and tone—a benefit specific to soft wax.

How Waxing Exfoliates

Unlike razors, which just skim the surface like skipping stones, wax actually grips. It adheres to the hair and the dull, flaky skin sitting on top. When the strip comes off, so does everything your tired loofah forgot to handle. The result? Skin that’s visibly smoother, softer, and more even in tone. Plus, your moisturizers and serums won’t just sit there anymore, they’ll actually penetrate. You're welcome!

Why Exfoliation Matters for Skin Health

Exfoliated skin is less likely to develop clogged pores, dull patches, or flakiness. That’s why so many people notice their skin looks brighter and feels healthier after a wax. The benefits of waxing your face especially stand out here—removing peach fuzz and buildup leaves your complexion glowing.

5. Fewer Ingrown Hairs (When Done Right)

Ingrown hairs are a major drawback of shaving, especially in sensitive zones like the bikini line. Because shaving cuts hair bluntly, it often grows back into the skin instead of out of it.

Why Waxing Reduces Ingrowns

Waxing removes the entire hair shaft and tends to leave the follicle more open, which lowers the chance of hair curling back into the skin. That’s one of the biggest benefits of Brazilian wax services—it’s often cleaner and less irritating than constant shaving in that area.

Post-Wax Tips to Prevent Them

To help prevent ingrown hairs, start gently exfoliating 24 to 48 hours after your wax. A soft physical exfoliator—like our 50 Grit Exfoliating Towel—helps remove the superficial dry skin and dead cells that cause hair to get trapped. Choose Passive (infused with charcoal) for sensitive skin or Aggressive for normal or combination types. Exfoliate 2–3 times per week, avoid tight clothing in freshly waxed areas, and keep your skin well-hydrated to support healing.

6. Less Skin Irritation Than Shaving or Creams

Shaving often leaves behind that familiar sting—red, patchy skin that feels hot and tender to the touch. For some, even brushing against fabric can cause discomfort or itching. And with hair removal creams, the experience can be just as unpleasant: a chemical smell, a burning tingle, and the risk of post-use dryness or rashes. 

Waxing, on the other hand, may cause brief redness right after treatment, but when done professionally, it typically fades within hours—leaving your skin calm, smooth, and far less reactive in the long run. High-quality wax formulas are often made specifically for dry or sensitive skin, helping reduce irritation even further.

If you’ve been dealing with constant irritation—under the arms, for example—switching to waxing can be a game-changer. The benefits of waxing armpits include less stubble, less odor retention, and reduced discoloration over time.

7. Great for Sensitive and Hard-to-Reach Areas

Some areas—like the upper lip, bikini line, or back—can be difficult or unsafe to shave without risking cuts or patchy results.

The benefits of bikini wax services include precise shaping, fewer bumps, and a more even finish. Waxing is also ideal for the brows, jawline, and other facial areas where precision and hygiene are crucial. If you're looking for waxing in San Jose, it’s always safest to visit a trained professional—especially for smaller, more sensitive zones.

8. No Cuts, Razor Burn, or Nicked Skin

Razor burn can be painful, and nicked skin is vulnerable to infection. Shaving also comes with technique risks—going against the grain, for instance, might give a closer shave, but it also raises the likelihood of irritation, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs. 

Waxing removes the need for sharp blades altogether. Once you’re used to it, you’ll likely find waxing feels less abrasive than dragging a razor across the same skin multiple times a week.

9. Less Frequent Maintenance = More Free Time

Daily shaving adds up. If you’re spending 10 minutes per day shaving, that’s over an hour each week. Waxing drastically cuts down on that time. But let’s be honest—if you’ve just shaved or already irritated your skin, you’re not going near it with a razor again anytime soon. By the time your skin heals, the hair you didn’t want there in the first place has already started to grow back. Waxing avoids that cycle entirely, giving you more time between touch-ups and way less maintenance overall.

A single waxing appointment can last 3–4 weeks or more. And as your hair grows finer, you might be able to stretch the time even further. At Ted D Bare, waxing is unconventionally fast—so fast, in fact, we coined the viral 7-minute Brazilian wax you’ve probably seen on TikTok. When we say we’re quick and efficient, we mean it.

10. A More Eco-Friendly Hair Removal Option

Shaving often requires disposable razors, plastic cartridges, and aerosol creams. Most of these end up in landfills and are not recyclable. Waxing, on the other hand, uses fewer single-use materials—especially when done in a studio that practices hygienic but sustainable waxing.

Choosing waxing can be part of a broader commitment to reducing waste in your daily routine. It’s one more way to support conscious care.

What to Expect If You're New to Waxing

If it’s your first time getting waxed, know that the discomfort is quick—like, 7-minute quick, to be exact—and temporary. Hair needs to be at least ½ inch long so the wax can grip it properly. A trained esthetician will walk you through the process and help you feel comfortable from start to finish. We’re also pretty funny—not exactly part of our waxing license, but we’ll probably make you laugh a little and leave you sort of looking forward to your next appointment.

Common Questions About The Benefits of Waxing Vs Shaving​

How long do waxing results last compared to shaving?

Waxing results typically last 2-3ish weeks, depending on your hair type, hormones, and how consistent you are. With shaving, you’re lucky to get 24 to 48 hours before stubble shows up.

Is waxing more painful than shaving?

Not gonna lie—yes, waxing stings for a few seconds. But shaving is a slow, passive-aggressive sort of pain, full of razor burn, bumps, cuts, and ingrowns. Think of it as death by a thousand micro-injuries.

And here’s the truth: waxing gets easier the more you do it. Your pain tolerance builds, your hair thins out, and the results get smoother and longer-lasting. Shaving, on the other hand? It never gets better. Just faster to disappoint you.

Does waxing help with ingrown hairs better than shaving?

Absolutely. Waxing removes the hair from the root, which gives it a better chance to grow back straight and clean. Shaving creates blunt, sharp ends that love to burrow underneath the skin or back into the follicle. 

Especially in high-friction areas like the bikini line, armpits, and inner thighs, waxing is way less likely to cause a breakout of ingrowns—when done correctly and paired with proper exfoliation. (P.S. If you're not using 50 Grit and Agent 88, you’re doing it wrong.)

What’s the best body part to wax first if I usually shave?

Start with your lower legs or underarms if you're nervous—they’re less sensitive than a full-blown Brazilian wax. Plus, these zones give you an easy intro into how your body responds to waxing before leveling up to a bikini wax. Usually, once clients see how smooth, bump-free, and low-maintenance those areas can be, they end up waxing everything. The benefits of waxing are especially noticeable if you're used to shaving these spots.

Is waxing better than shaving for sensitive skin?

Yes, when done right. Shaving scrapes across the skin (literally!) creating microtears, razor burn, and redness that add up fast. If your skin already has opinions (eczema, KP, general drama), shaving just pokes the bear.

Waxing with a high-quality, soft wax designed for sensitive skin—like the one we use at Ted D Bare—can actually be gentler long-term. No daily friction, no angry stubble, no dragging a razor across inflamed skin.

Can I shave between waxes?

No. And we say that with love and authority. 

Shaving between waxes ruins the point. It disrupts the hair growth cycle, makes your next wax more painful, and brings all those blunt ends and ingrowns right back into your life. Let it grow, even if it’s annoying for a week or two.

Your hair should be at least ½ inch long (about the length of a grain of rice) before your next wax. Anything shorter and the wax can’t grip it, which means patchy results and wasted effort. Be patient. The payoff is worth it.

Is waxing more hygienic than shaving?

In many cases, yes. Shaving can leave behind microtears and bacteria-holding nicks, especially if you’re using a dull razor or not cleaning it properly (which, let’s be honest… most people aren’t).

Waxing skips the blade altogether. No cuts, no rust, no bacteria traps. It removes the entire hair and exfoliates the skin in the same motion. This process makes it harder for buildup, sweat, and bacteria to cling to your skin.

Especially for underarms and bikini zones, waxing is a cleaner, safer long-term option. Add a post-wax spray like Agent 88, and you’re basically untouchable.

The Waxing Wisdom Doesn’t Stop Here

At Ted D Bare, we’re all about making waxing feel approachable, informed, and maybe (dare we say) even a little fun. Whether you're new to waxing, rethinking your shaving loyalty, or just here to level up your skin game, we’ve got more expert-backed tips, myth-busting info, and everything else you didn’t know you needed to know about body waxing—so explore the rest of our blog.