by Marlin Bressi

Created on: December 16, 2011

Waxing is effective for removing hair from most parts of the body, and the legs are perhaps the easiest and least painful body part to wax.  Following these basic steps will allow you to have silky smooth legs for weeks without paying high salon or spa prices.

1. Allow the hair to grow to the appropriate length.

If the leg hair is too short, there will be nothing for the wax to adhere to other than the skin.  For best results, the hair should be around 1/4 of an inch.

2. Choose the right wax for the job.

There are two main types of waxes used for hair removal.  Soft waxes, which can be amber-colored or cream-based, are melted and applied to the skin and are removed using waxing strips, usually made out of muslin.  Hard waxes do not require the use of waxing strips.  Hard wax is melted and applied to the skin, where it quickly cools and hardens.  The wax is then pulled off, removing the attached hair.  Generally, hard waxes are used for more sensitive areas like underarms and around the bikini area.

3. Lightly dust the legs with baby powder.

A very light dusting of baby powder will absorb excess moisture from the skin's surface, resulting in better wax adhesion.  Be careful not to use too much powder, or else the wax will be difficult to spread.

4. Apply the wax in the direction of the hair's growth.

To apply the wax, use a large wooden applicator and spread the wax in downward strokes until it covers an area roughly the size of a dollar bill.  Even soft waxes will cool and harden in a few seconds, so working in smaller sections will provide the best results.

5. Cover the wax with a waxing strip.

Apply the strip over the waxed area and smooth it down using medium pressure in downward strokes, or in whichever direction the hair grows.  This should be the same direction in which the wax was applied.  Smoothing the strip 2-3 times will achieve the best results.

6. Hold the skin taut.

Use your free hand (the hand that will not be pulling off the waxing strip) to stretch the skin as tight as possible.  The more taut the skin, the less discomfort and skin irritation.  Continue holding the skin until the strip has been removed.

7. Pull off the strip.

The waxing strip should be removed quickly, in one motion, in the opposite direction of the hair's growth.  This is perhaps the most important step, because pulling off the strip in the wrong direction will not effectively remove the hair.  As a

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