Hair removal has been around since time immemorial. Centuries ago, the early Egyptian civilisation used sugar wax and beeswax to remove hair from their bodies. Other Middle Eastern countries also used hair removal techniques to stay clean and fresh in the region's extreme climatic conditions.
Body odour and parasites were familiar in such conditions, and hair removal effectively avoided such problems. Even the Romans were fans of hair removal, which was thought to be a sign of wealth and class.
The Ancient Beauty Ritual of Sugaring
Sugaring was a frequently used hair removal technique in the past and is still a popular one in Arab countries. Just about every household blends its own version of sugar paste for hair removal.
The mixture is usually made of sugar, lemon juice, and water to create a paste, which is rubbed over the skin to remove unwanted hair. While the ingredients used to create the mixture are generally natural, the result can be harsh on the skin or not effective in removing all hair.
The Introduction of Depilatory Waxes
In recent years, the Arab population has switched to using popular depilatory waxes, which they report to be more gentle and easier to use. The sugaring method can be somewhat problematic on the hands, considering the pressure and hand positioning required to sugar large areas.
Depilatory wax first became available in France in the early 1930s, and people, especially women, quickly developed a fondness for waxing because it was simple, hassle-free, and longer-lasting than other hair removal methods they were used to.
As such, the waxing market grew at a tremendous rate, and there were all kinds of innovations and experiments. Within the next 30 years after the first commercial wax was manufactured, almost every other variant of wax, including hot wax and strip wax, was being marketed.
Although in many areas, the removal of body hair was considered taboo and not the done thing for women of quality and with modesty.
Challenges and Setbacks of Early Wax Formulas
As such, even though waxes were available in earlier days, their formulation was far from perfect. They were messy and often inconvenient, and they were mostly too hot for the skin and therefore unsafe for many reasons.
The problems that arose due to inferior wax quality included skin blemishes and dark skin marks. The heat of the wax did not stop it from being brittle and uncomfortable. Crystallisation also made the wax more difficult to use and generally useless.
However, in the past few decades, big players in the industry have been constantly innovating and finding solutions to overcome the general waxing problems with much success for some and not for others. The general needs of depilatory waxes are that the formulas are safe and gentle on the skin and the planet.
LYCON's Active Gold Hot Wax adopts a modern formulation approach
Waxing Trends on the Rise
The waxing industry has a dynamic market that is constantly evolving and is often fun. Fashion and consumer interests and concerns contribute to this changing landscape, where a new trend takes the market by storm one day, only to be replaced by something else the next day.
And yet, some brands have remained popular and in great demand for decades.
LYCON has been manufacturing the world's most sought-after waxing products since 1978
In earlier days, people turned to waxing treatments only on special occasions. Typically, waxing was seen as an uncomfortable experience that needed to be done quickly and, hopefully, efficiently.
However, today, there is a full gamut of waxing experiences available, from self-efficient DIY waxing to costly, indulgent spa-like treatments. It is fast becoming a trend for beauty therapists to create a full-body experience to help relax and soothe their clients.
Using some creativity, a waxing treatment can be enjoyed by clients, just like a massage or facial. For example, a beauty therapist can create an inviting and comfortable environment by placing a beautiful bowl filled with flowers and calming aromatherapy oils in the room and letting the client change into a comfortable robe.
Waxing is shifting from solely being a necessity and a bit uncomfortable to increasingly becoming an indulgent act of self-care, where the experience is just as necessary as the outcome.
Waxing For Everyone
Waxing has also become more accessible and affordable. With industry growth, the emergence of a more knowledge-driven consumer, plus technological innovation and developments, waxing is now accessible to virtually everyone, even those who prefer to wax at home.
Wax-cellence is LYCON's collection of at-home waxing products
Convenient and easy-to-use home waxing kits, like LYCON’s Wax-cellence range, make it possible for novices to wax themselves in their homes, whilst achieving great results. As such, there are various online resources where beginners can watch and learn tricks and techniques that would lead them to wax like a pro.
However, not everyone will wax at home. Some prefer to go to a salon for a more comfortable and professional service, as home waxers have been known to damage their bed sheets or carpets or even bruise themselves.
Revolutionary Modern Day Wax Formulas
In addition, depilatory wax formulation has been upgraded even more in recent years, making waxing in the salon even better and more convenient. It focuses on making waxing not only more comfortable and efficient but also a mess-free practice with more emphasis on safety and hygiene.
One of LYCON's most popular strip wax cartridges, SoBerry Delicious
For example, LYCON Strip Wax Cartridges were developed to apply wax with a single glide, whilst achieving a non-sticky finish. The streamlined, leak-proof cartridge design ensures application is quick and easy, the workstation stays clean, and no spatulas are used.
What’s Next for the Waxing World?
In a nutshell, the waxing industry is growing steadily and is still a long way from reaching its saturation point in new product and technique developments. Several unique trends are emerging, like the rise of male waxing, which has not fully been explored yet, and the exponential growth of eyebrow waxing and shaping.
LYCOjet Eyebrow Hot Wax is one of LYCON's most recent waxing innovations
The industry has a host of promising opportunities for everyone involved, and LYCON, with an unsurpassed pioneering reputation on a global scale and many “world first” innovations over the 44 years in business, very much looks forward to continuing to be a leader in the amazing ever-changing beauty industry.
Click here to view the full range of LYCON waxes.
