Myths About Waxing: Quick TL;DR

Some waxing myths are true, many aren’t. Hair length, temporary sensitivity, and the importance of exfoliation are real—thicker regrowth, wrinkles, or permanent damage are not.
Waxing doesn’t make hair grow back darker or thicker. It removes hair from the root, and with consistency, regrowth often becomes finer and softer.
Pain is real—but manageable. It’s quick, improves with regular waxing, and technique makes a huge difference.
Results last longer than shaving. Expect smoother skin for about 4–6 weeks instead of daily stubble.
Aftercare matters more than people think. Most issues like ingrowns, irritation, or pigmentation come down to prep, aftercare, and timing—not waxing itself.

Some myths about waxing are exaggerated, outdated, or flat-out wrong. So let’s get to the bottom of what’s actually true, what’s not, and what you can realistically expect so you can book an appointment feeling confident instead of unsure. If you’re considering waxing in San Jose, the speed waxers at Ted D Bare are quick (we went viral on TikTok for our 7-minute Brazilian wax) and very blunt about what waxing is really like. Pull up a chair, it might be enlightening.

Hair Has to Be a Certain Length to Be Waxed – True

Wax needs enough hair to grip in order to remove it from the root. When hair is too short, the wax can’t grab it properly, which increases the chance of hair snapping instead of being pulled out cleanly. That kind of breakage can leave sharp or uneven ends under the skin, which can raise the risk of ingrowns as the hair grows back.

The sweet spot is typically around half an inch. That doesn’t mean you need to measure or overthink it. If it’s your first appointment, simply grow it out. If it’s not your first, letting hair grow for about 4–6 weeks before booking usually works well. Anything longer than that can always be trimmed by your esthetician at your appointment to get it to the right length. TL;DR: err on the side of long. A lot of waxing misconceptions come from thinking waxing is rigid or unforgiving, when in reality professional waxing is flexible and adaptable.

2. Your Skin Is Sensitive After Waxing – True

Temporary sensitivity is normal after waxing. Hair is removed from the root, which naturally leaves follicles open for a short period of time. Redness, warmth, and mild swelling can happen and usually settle within hours.

What matters most is aftercare. Clean skin, breathable clothing, and avoiding friction or heat right after your appointment go a long way. If you want a simple breakdown of what actually helps, we also put together Your Guide to Easy Brazilian Wax Aftercare because no one likes being left in the dark when it comes to basic comfort.

3. Exfoliating Before and After Waxing Is Important – True

Exfoliation plays a bigger role than many people realize. Before waxing, gentle exfoliation helps remove dead skin so wax can grip hair more effectively and pull it out cleanly. After waxing, exfoliation helps prevent buildup that can trap new growth under the skin, which is often what leads to ingrowns.

Timing is key. Exfoliating immediately after waxing can irritate already sensitive skin, so it’s best to wait about 48 hours before starting again. Once the skin has settled, tools like the 50 Grit Exfoliating Towel can be a godsend for keeping regrowth moving in the right direction when used gently and consistently. Understanding when and how to exfoliate is one of the easiest ways to separate waxing facts vs myths and get better results over time.

4. Waxing Makes Hair Grow Back Thicker or Darker – False

This is one of the most common waxing myths, and it’s simply not true. Waxing removes hair from the root, pulling out the entire hair shaft rather than cutting it at the surface. When that hair grows back, it starts fresh and comes in with a naturally tapered tip, which is why regrowth after waxing often feels softer over time.

Waxing does not change your hair’s color, thickness, or natural growth pattern. Those traits are determined by genetics and hormones, not by how hair is removed. That said, with consistent waxing over time, many people notice regrowth becoming finer and softer. This can happen because repeatedly removing hair from the root may weaken individual follicles, which can lead to thinner hair as it grows back. So if you’ve ever wondered does waxing make hair grow back thicker, the answer is no, and in many cases, the opposite tends to happen with consistency.

5. Waxing Is Always Extremely Painful – True and False

We’re not going to sugarcoat it. If you’re coming in expecting a spa nap, you’re in for a rude awakening. At Ted D Bare, we compare it to a bee sting, if the bee were the size of a small child. That part is true. What’s false is the idea that it’s unbearable or traumatic every single time.

Pain changes with consistency. Regular waxing weakens hair follicles over time, which often leads to finer, sparser regrowth. As a result, many people find that each session gets easier the more often they wax.

Technique matters too. When you’re working with speed waxers like the estheticians at Ted D Bare, you’re in and out before you can finish Taylor Swift’s All Too Well (10 Minute Version). Less time under tension makes a real difference. The sensation is quick, it fades fast, and when you pair that with good prep and smart aftercare, waxing becomes very manageable for most people.

6. Waxing Lasts Longer Than Shaving – True

Waxing lasts longer than shaving because it removes hair from the root instead of cutting it at the surface. That difference is everything. When hair is pulled from the root, it takes longer to grow back, which is why results typically last around 4–6 weeks. Shaving, on the other hand, only trims hair at skin level, which is why you’ll probably see a 5 o’clock shadow by lunch and a jump scare of next-day stubble.

This is where many waxing vs shaving myths come from. Because the hair has to fully regrow after waxing, the skin stays smoother for longer. With consistent waxing, regrowth can also feel finer and easier to manage over time, making upkeep feel less constant.

7. You Can’t Get Ingrown Hairs With Waxing – False

Waxing can reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs, but it doesn’t make them impossible. Ingrowns happen when hair has trouble breaking through the surface as it grows back, either because dead skin blocks the follicle or the hair naturally curls back into the skin, depending on your hair type. While waxing removes hair from the root, regrowth still needs a clear path out.

This is where aftercare makes the biggest difference. Regular exfoliation helps prevent buildup that can trap hair under the skin, while proper hydration keeps skin flexible enough for hair to grow through smoothly. Tight clothing, friction, and skipping aftercare can all increase the risk of ingrowns, regardless of how hair was removed. A lot of first time waxing myths blame waxing itself, when in reality, aftercare habits are usually the deciding factor.

8. Waxing Causes Wrinkles, Sagging, or Premature Aging – False

This fear sounds logical, but it doesn’t hold up. Waxing involves pulling, so it’s easy to assume that repeated treatments could stretch the skin over time. In reality, properly performed waxing does not affect collagen or skin elasticity. When done correctly, the skin is supported and stabilized during hair removal, so the pull targets the hair, not the skin itself.

Concerns about sagging or premature aging usually come from improper technique, over-pulling, or aggressive at-home waxing. Licensed estheticians are trained to hold the skin taut and work efficiently to protect the area being waxed. Professional waxing, done properly and consistently, does not age your skin.

9. You Can Swim Immediately After Waxing – False

Freshly waxed skin needs a short recovery window. Open follicles are more vulnerable to bacteria found in pools, oceans, and hot tubs.

Waiting about 24 hours before swimming helps prevent irritation or infection. It’s a simple precaution that protects your skin while it settles.

10. Waxing Isn’t for Everyone or Certain Hair Types – False

Waxing works across all hair textures and body types. Fine hair, coarse hair, straight hair, curly hair — you name it, technique adapts to the person, not the other way around. The idea that waxing only works for certain people or aesthetics is outdated and simply not true.

At Ted D Bare, we originally served an all-male clientele and built our reputation around manzilian waxing back when it wasn’t common in the Bay Area. That means we’ve worked with every skin type, body type, and hair texture imaginable. That experience is exactly why professional waxing is absolutely for everyone. Waxing is a personal choice, not a requirement, and inclusive studios treat it that way.

11. Pregnancy Is a Contraindication to Waxing – True and False

Pregnancy alone doesn’t automatically make waxing unsafe. For many people, Brazilian waxing is generally well tolerated during the first and second trimesters, when the skin tends to handle it more comfortably. Hormonal changes can increase sensitivity, but Brazilian waxing itself isn’t harmful when performed properly by a licensed professional.

By the third trimester, increased blood flow, swelling, and pressure from a growing belly can make the bikini area significantly more sensitive. That’s why if you’re five or more months pregnant and haven’t had a Brazilian wax at least three times within the past five months, our estheticians won’t proceed with the service. At that stage, waxing can be extremely uncomfortable for first-time or long-break clients, and we never want to push someone past their comfort level.

It’s also best to skip Brazilian waxing if you’re experiencing irritation or have a high-risk pregnancy. While Brazilian waxing may feel more intense during pregnancy due to increased circulation, it isn’t harmful when done correctly. Personal comfort and medical guidance should always come first.

RELATED READING: Can You Get a Brazilian Wax While Pregnant?

12. Waxing Causes Hyperpigmentation – False

Hyperpigmentation isn’t caused by waxing itself, but by skin trauma. Pigment changes typically happen when the skin becomes irritated or damaged, such as from burns, lifted skin, or overly aggressive exfoliation before or after a wax.

Professional waxing is designed to protect the skin. Licensed estheticians use the correct wax temperature, support the skin during removal, and provide aftercare guidance to help the skin heal properly. When waxing is done correctly and aftercare is followed, the risk of hyperpigmentation is low.

If you still have questions about waxing or hair removal that feel awkward, confusing, or too specific to ask out loud, we cover the real answers on our blog!

12 Myths About Waxing (And What’s Actually True)