Hot wax vs strip wax, how to choose.
Hot wax grips the hair only and is gentler — best for intimate areas, underarms and the face. Strip wax grips the skin as well and is faster over large areas like legs, arms and backs. Most people are best with both, matched to the body part. At our Aldgate clinic we use premium Lycon for each.
In short
- Hot wax: low-temperature, shrink-wraps each hair, lifts it without gripping skin — gentler.
- Strip wax: applied thin, removed with a cloth strip; faster over big areas, grips skin more.
- Sensitive & intimate (Hollywood, bikini, underarm, face) → hot wax.
- Large areas (legs, arms, back) → strip wax, for speed and even coverage.
- We use Lycon for both; your therapist picks per area, so you don't have to.
How each one actually works
They look similar in the pot, but they grip your skin in completely different ways.
Hot wax is applied in a thick layer, left a few seconds to cool and set, then peeled off in one piece without a strip. As it sets it shrink-wraps each hair and lifts it from the root — gripping the hair but barely touching the skin. It works at a low temperature, which is why it feels gentler.
Strip wax goes on in a thin layer and is removed with a pressed-on fabric strip. It's quick and covers ground fast, but it adheres to the skin's surface as well as the hair — which is exactly what you want on a large, robust area, and not what you want on delicate skin.
Which is better for which area
| Area | Best wax | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bikini, Brazilian, Hollywood | Hot wax | Sensitive skin, coarse hair — grips the hair, spares the skin. |
| Underarms | Hot wax | Delicate, awkward angle; gentler and more thorough. |
| Face (lip, chin) | Hot wax | Fine, sensitive skin that reacts to strip wax's pull. |
| Full & half legs | Strip wax | Large, robust area — fast, even coverage. |
| Arms | Strip wax | Quick over a big surface with finer hair. |
| Back & chest (men) | Strip wax | Speed over large areas; hot wax for finer detail. |
You don't have to memorise this — it's your therapist's call on the day. But it's why we rarely use just one: the right wax depends on where we're working.
Pain and sensitive skin
On sensitive and intimate areas, hot wax is usually more comfortable because it doesn't tug the skin. On large flat areas the difference is smaller, and strip wax's speed means less time overall. Any wax can leave the skin pink for an hour or two; that settles quickly. If you have very reactive skin, tell us — we adjust the wax and the technique to suit.
Speed, cost and upkeep
Strip wax is generally quicker and a little cheaper per area on big zones like legs and arms. Hot wax costs slightly more on intimate areas, and is worth it for the comfort. Either way, because both remove hair from the root, results last three to six weeks — far longer than shaving — and a course of six (at the price of five, never expiring) brings the per-visit cost down.
What we use, and how we choose
We wax exclusively with Lycon, a premium low-temperature range trusted by clinics worldwide, for both hot and strip waxing. You don't need to decide between them — just tell us where, and your therapist picks the wax that's kindest and most effective for that area. See the full waxing menu or book below.
Common questions.
Is hot wax less painful than strip wax?
What's the difference between hot wax and strip wax?
Which wax is best for a Hollywood or Brazilian?
Which wax is best for legs?
What wax do you use?
Book your wax.
Lycon hot and strip waxing, matched to each area for the most comfortable result. One minute from Aldgate Underground, for women and men.
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