Download ArticleDownload Article

Ever experienced razor burns? Coarse hair? Ingrown hair? Afraid of razors? Waxing is one of the best methods for removing hair on your body, particularly your legs. It will take off more hair than a razor and for longer. As long as you can stand some minor pain it’s a great option for hair removal.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Preparing to Wax Your Legs

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    It is important to exfoliate before you wax in order to achieve the best results. Also make sure your hair isn’t too long or too short. You want your hair to be at least a quarter of an inch long but no longer than half an inch. [1] If your hair is longer than half an inch you should trim it with scissors first, then use the wax.
    • Consonant Skin Body Scrub is a great product that can help with exfoliation. Lather it on everywhere you plan to shave at least 24 hours before. Leave it on for a few minutes and then gently clean it off with soap and water.
    • Avoid waxing your skin if you have any pimples, open sores, or infections. Waxing could make the problem worse.[2]
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Reserve time to wax your legs.
    This will take about an hour, maybe two. Don’t try to wax your legs in the ten minutes before you head out the door for work or class.
    Advertisement
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Prepare mentally.
    The waxing process might be a little painful, so try to recognize that as you make the decision to wax your legs. It's not excruciating but you you should prepare yourself to feel some mild discomfort. As long as you're okay with that you should be good to go.
  4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Waxing Your Legs With a Waxing Kit

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    Use the wooden stick that comes inside your waxing kit to apply the wax. You also should read the specific directions that your waxing kit offers. Apply enough wax to cover your hair but not too much. [3]
  2. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    Make sure you press down firmly. You should put the strip on in the direction of your hair growth. Leave a leftover bit of strip hanging off at the end not touching any of your hair. This will serve as your handle and make it much easier to pull off. [4]
  3. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    Do this fast and use your leftover piece as a grip. Make sure you are holding the skin taut with your other hand while you pull the strip off. Try to relax, the more you tense up the more painful it’s going to be. If it hurts after you pull off the strip push your palm down on your leg and apply some pressure. This will quickly relieve the pain.
  4. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    You’ll have to do this anywhere you want waxed. Once you get the hang of it the whole process should become faster and easier.
  5. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    If you’re in pain Aloe Vera is probably your best choice, if not you can just stick to moisturizer. This will help to soothe your legs in the immediate aftermath of the waxing and make your legs feel smoother the next day. Apply everywhere you waxed. Some waxing kits come with ready to use wax strips that are easier to use.
  6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Waxing Your Legs With Sugar Wax

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    Combine sugar, lemon juice, and water into a saucepan and heat on low. Make sure it doesn't boil over. You’ll need to use a food thermometer to measure the temperature of the mix. It is done when the thermometer reads 250 F. [5]
  2. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    You should leave it for at least half an hour before you do anything else with it. Definitely do not apply the mixture to your legs yet! That will hurt.
  3. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    If you aren’t going to use it immediately that’s okay, but when you do want to use it make sure you put in microwave without the lid for 30-40 seconds or until the wax resembles a honey like state. If it becomes solid it’s much harder to spread out over your legs. [6]
  4. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    Apply a little cooled wax to your body to test for a rash or redness. If there is none then you can continue
  5. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    Pat off the water and apply baby powder. This isn’t necessary but it could help with the process and make your legs less sensitive. [7]
  6. How.com.vn English: Step 6 Check your legs to see in which direction your hair is growing.
    See if the hair is growing all in one direction or in different patches. You are going to have to apply the wax and waxing strip in the direction of your hair growth.
  7. How.com.vn English: Step 7 Test the temperature of the wax by applying a little to your hand.
    If it feels warm, let it cool a bit more. An easy way to test when to use it is to stir it - if its too runny then chances are you must wait more.
  8. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    Only do this after it is sufficiently cooled.[8] When you spread the wax in the direction of hair growth the hair should lay flat and smooth with no hairs poking up.
  9. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    Rubbing it up and down is the best way. Now wait for wax to set or until you feel resistance when you try pulling the strip up.
  10. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    Pull the skin taut by holding down on any loose skin with your hands before you do this. Do it as quickly as possible and in one clean piece. When pulled away properly, there should be little to moderate discomfort.
  11. How.com.vn English: Step 11 Repeat until your entire leg is hair free.
    Hopefully the process doesn’t take too long, but make sure that you are being thorough. There’s nothing worse than checking to see you missed a spot a few days later. Pull the skin taut by holding down on any loose skin with your hands.
  12. How.com.vn English: Watermark How.com.vn to Wax Your Legs
    Pat dry and apply generous amounts of moisturizer to relax your skin. Good job, you’ve waxed your legs using sugar wax!
  13. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Getting a Professional Wax

Download Article
  1. How.com.vn English: Step 1 Search for leg wax services in your area.
    You can use an Internet search or the yellow pages to find what you’re looking for. Most areas have spa waxing treatments available for reasonable prices. If you’re hoping for a professional grade waxing you might as well hire a professional!
  2. How.com.vn English: Step 2 Call to make an appointment.
    Try not to miss your appointment. Depending on if you want your legs waxed fully or just the bottom portion the treatment could cost you anywhere from $ 30 - $80 dollars. It’s slightly more expensive than waxing at home but you won’t have to lift a finger.
  3. How.com.vn English: Step 3 Show up for your appointment.
    That’s it! When you enter the spa tell whoever is working at the front desk your name and that you have an appointment. The whole process shouldn’t take longer then two hours but the spa will let you know when you book your appointment.
  4. Advertisement


Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I discreetly wax my legs without my family knowing?
    How.com.vn English: Chattox1
    Chattox1
    Community Answer
    Do it when they aren't home, and make sure to clean up and throw out the trash.
  • Question
    My mom said I'm not allowed to shave my legs but maybe wax instead. Does it hurt to wax? It looks painful.
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Waxing does hurt a little in the beginning, but you will get used to it.
  • Question
    Is it OK to do it with deep scars from injuries?
    How.com.vn English: Community Answer
    Community Answer
    No. You risk additional injury to your skin.
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      How.com.vn English: Mohiba Tareen, MD
      Co-authored by:
      FAAD Board Certified Dermatologist
      This article was co-authored by Mohiba Tareen, MD. Mohiba Tareen is a board certified Dermatologist and the founder of Tareen Dermatology located in Roseville, Maplewood and Faribault, Minnesota. Dr. Tareen completed medical school at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. While a dermatology resident at Columbia University in New York City, she won the Conrad Stritzler award of the New York Dermatologic Society and was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tareen then completed a procedural fellowship which focused on dermatologic surgery, laser, and cosmetic dermatology. This article has been viewed 444,095 times.
      2 votes - 100%
      Co-authors: 38
      Updated: October 10, 2023
      Views: 444,095
      Categories: Waxing
      Article SummaryX

      To wax your legs, make sure the hair on your legs is at least a 1/4 inch long but no longer than 1/2 an inch. If your hair is too long, trim it with scissors before you get started. First, apply an even layer of wax to a section of your legs, spreading it on in the direction of your hair growth. Then, press a waxing strip down over the wax and quickly pull it off in the opposite direction of your hair growth. Repeat the process across the rest of your leg and then apply some moisturizer or aloe vera. To learn how to wax your legs with sugar wax, scroll down!

      Did this summary help you?

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 444,095 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • How.com.vn English: Nidhi B.

        Nidhi B.

        Aug 5, 2016

        "Good article. Good tips including that of talcum powder, precautions of using tweezers, before and after..." more
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      ⚠️ Disclaimer:

      Content from Wiki How English language website. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License; additional terms may apply.
      Wiki How does not encourage the violation of any laws, and cannot be responsible for any violations of such laws, should you link to this domain, or use, reproduce, or republish the information contained herein.

      Notices:
      • - A few of these subjects are frequently censored by educational, governmental, corporate, parental and other filtering schemes.
      • - Some articles may contain names, images, artworks or descriptions of events that some cultures restrict access to
      • - Please note: Wiki How does not give you opinion about the law, or advice about medical. If you need specific advice (for example, medical, legal, financial or risk management), please seek a professional who is licensed or knowledgeable in that area.
      • - Readers should not judge the importance of topics based on their coverage on Wiki How, nor think a topic is important just because it is the subject of a Wiki article.

      Advertisement