By Editorial TeamThe whole conversation around body hair positivity has gotten so loud, thanks to people like Phoebe Bridgers who aren’t shy about showing natural body hair and questioning old-school beauty rules. While that’s great, it’s also created a ton of bad information about who’s waxing and what Gen Z thinks. It’s time to clear the air and talk about what’s actually going on with grooming choices today.
Key Takeaways
- Body hair positivity isn’t anti-waxing. It’s about having the choice. Many people do both, picking what feels right for them instead of following some strict trend.
- The idea that the younger generation has quit hair removal is a total myth. Many Gen Z clients come to us for professional waxing because they want convenience and healthier skin.
- Modern waxing has come a long way. Better waxes and aftercare products have made the whole experience much less of a big deal when it comes to pain and skin irritation.
- A professional wax gives you smoother results and fewer ingrown hairs than you’d get at home which is a huge plus for anyone who really cares about their skin’s condition.
- In the end, keeping or removing body hair is a personal call. It’s about your own comfort, not what a celebrity is doing.
Myth 1: Body Hair Positivity Means No One Waxes Anymore
This is easily the biggest misunderstanding out there. Just because artists and influencers are championing body hair positivity, people assume it’s a command to stop all hair removal. The movement is about the freedom to choose, not a ban on waxing. A 2024 survey from Statista showed that even with more acceptance for natural hair, a huge chunk of people across all age groups, Gen Z included, are still removing it. For instance, a lot of young adults still regularly shave or wax specific areas, maybe for certain times of the year or just because they like the feeling.
The “Phoebe Bridgers effect” is not about shaming people who wax. It’s about making all choices normal. I have plenty of clients who feel empowered getting certain areas waxed for comfort while letting hair grow naturally elsewhere. The choice to wax often comes down to something practical, like wanting smooth skin for the summer or just enjoying the clean feeling it gives them. It’s a completely personal field where you get to decide. We see it every day with clients asking for everything from full body treatments to just underarms, tailoring their grooming to what works for their own life and style.
Myth 2: Gen Z Has Completely Abandoned Hair Removal
There’s this weirdly common belief that Gen Z beauty means nobody removes their hair anymore, which is just wrong. This generation is all about being authentic and questioning old norms, but their grooming habits are all over the place. Research from sources like McKinsey & Company shows again and again that Gen Z values self-expression above all else. In practice, that means some of them are getting waxed, some aren’t, and some are doing a mix of both. They’re smart consumers who want services that work and feel good.
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Find a Wax Studio Near You →In fact, I’m seeing a lot more Gen Z clients in my chair specifically asking for professional waxing. They know they’ll get a better, longer-lasting result than they could with messy at-home methods. For them, the focus is on skin health and finding a beauty routine that’s theirs alone. They’re the ones asking questions about ingredients and our process, and they’ll choose a service that feels ethical or sustainable. So, it’s not that they’ve rejected waxing, they’ve just gotten smarter about it. It’s not about what you’re “supposed” to do, but what makes you feel awesome, whether that involves hair or not. It’s been pretty interesting to see younger clients come in already knowing to ask about specific wax formulations for sensitive skin.
Myth 3: Waxing Is Always Painful and Causes Irritation
The idea that waxing has to be a terrible, irritating experience is a myth that’s mostly kept alive by stories of old-school techniques or just a bad job. Yes, you’re pulling hair out by the root, so there will be some sensation. But big improvements in wax formulas and application methods have completely changed the game. A pro will use specialized waxes with soothing ingredients that are designed to grab the hair, not your skin, which cuts down on the pain. Plus, any experienced technician knows how to prep the skin and what to apply afterward to calm everything down fast.
Hard wax, for example, has been a huge deal for us, especially for sensitive spots. It shrink-wraps the hair as it cools and comes off without a strip, so it’s much gentler on the skin. Good aftercare protocols are also non-negotiable. Using calming lotions and staying away from harsh stuff right after your appointment is key to preventing bumps and ingrown hairs. Any decent salon will give you a full rundown on how to take care of your skin to make sure it stays smooth. The belief that all waxing is an ordeal just isn’t accurate anymore. With the right esthetician and products, it’s a very manageable process.
Myth 4: At-Home Waxing Is Just as Good as Professional Services
At-home waxing kits are everywhere now, but the claim that they give you the same results as a professional service is just not true. There is a massive difference in the final result, your safety, and the health of your skin. A professional esthetician is trained to understand things like hair growth direction and skin type, and we follow strict hygiene rules. That expertise is what prevents common disasters like missed patches, bruises, burns, and a bad case of ingrown hairs.
The waxes we use in a salon are also just better, formulated to perform on different kinds of skin and hair for a clean pull that gives you weeks of smoothness. Also, a professional setting is clean in a way your bathroom just can’t be, which seriously lowers the risk of infection. When you try to wax yourself at home (especially in spots you can’t see well), you’re likely to apply it wrong and end up breaking the hair off instead of pulling it from the follicle. That means it grows back faster and you get more ingrowns. The money you pay a professional is an investment in better results and avoiding a lot of potential pain and skin damage. I’d never recommend someone try a Brazilian wax on themselves at home. The risk just isn’t worth the few dollars saved.
Myth 5: Waxing Causes Hair to Grow Back Thicker and Darker
This is the big one, the myth that just won’t die. The notion that waxing makes your hair grow back thicker, darker, or coarser has zero scientific backing. When you wax, you remove hair from deep inside the follicle, but that action doesn’t rewrite the follicle’s DNA or change how it’s programmed to grow hair. In fact, what’s really happening is that the hair grows back with a fine, soft, tapered tip, which feels much softer than the blunt, stubbly edge left behind by a razor.
People get the wrong idea because they’re comparing that first bit of regrowth to the feeling of hair that’s been shaved over and over. Shaving cuts the hair at its thickest part, making the stubble feel coarse. On the other hand, waxing regularly can actually damage and weaken the hair follicle over the long run, which often leads to the hair growing back finer and more sparsely. For many people who stick with waxing, this is one of the biggest long-term benefits. So don’t worry, waxing won’t turn your hair into something it’s not.
The whole conversation that people like Phoebe Bridgers helped start around body hair positivity is a good thing, because it encourages everyone to make grooming choices that are actually right for them. Knowing the truth behind these common myths lets you make a smart decision, whether that’s letting your hair grow free or booking an appointment for a professional waxing service.
Does body hair positivity mean I shouldn’t wax?
Not at all. Body hair positivity is all about you doing what makes you feel good and confident, whether you choose to remove hair or not. It’s about getting rid of the societal pressure to look one specific way.
Is professional waxing suitable for sensitive skin?
Yes, absolutely. A good esthetician knows how to handle sensitive skin. We use special waxes made for delicate skin and have a whole process for prepping the area and applying calming products afterward to keep irritation to a minimum.
How long do waxing results typically last?
You can usually expect results to last about 3 to 4 weeks, but it really depends on how fast your hair grows. If you wax consistently over a long time, you might notice the hair grows back finer and you can go longer between appointments.
What is the main benefit of professional waxing over shaving?
The biggest difference is that waxing pulls hair from the root. This gives you much smoother skin for a lot longer than shaving. Over time, the hair that grows back is often finer, while shaving just cuts the hair bluntly at the surface which is why it feels coarse and grows back so fast.
Can waxing reduce the appearance of ingrown hairs?
When it’s done right by a pro, waxing is much better than shaving for preventing ingrown hairs. A clean pull from the root is the first step, but following up with regular exfoliation and proper aftercare is what really stops new ones from forming.
