Everything You Need to Know About the Horseshoe Waxing Trend

Another day, another weird and wacky skin-care trend hits TikTok. This time around, we aren’t shedding layers of beauty products after sleeping or covering our faces in petroleum jelly. Instead, the beauty set is focusing on a more delicate area. The latest trend, dubbed horseshoe waxing, puts an interesting twist on the Brazilian waxing technique. It promises a quick removal and a strange cast you can show your followers or friends. If you’ve ever been waxed before, you’ll probably agree that it’s not the most comfortable beauty service. Hot wax in intimate areas, clenched fists and awkward poses are all part of the territory. So, you can imagine why a new technique claiming to shorten that experience may be worth hearing out. But as TikTok has taught us over the years, not all trends are created equal, and when it comes to skin care, seeking advice from experts is best. So, we tapped two industry professionals about the horseshoe waxing method. Ahead, they share the good, the bad and answer everything you need to know about this bizarre technique.

Featured experts

• Deidra Green is the VP of Field Performance at European Wax Center
• Allison Pratt is a licensed aesthetician and holistic health coach in Manhattan

What is the horseshoe waxing method?

Coincidentally, the horseshoe wax method isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Instead of removing the hair in sections, this method uses one layer of wax to cover the bikini and intimate areas and one sweeping motion to remove it all. The intention is to have a clean removal in a single step, leaving behind a cast of wax that resembles a horseshoe. It turns the arduous waxing session into a one-and-done situation and shortens your time spent on the table.

What are the pros and cons of this method?

While the horseshoe waxing method stirs up oodles of question marks and praise alike on social media, the experts aren’t convinced. The attention on social media doesn’t compare to a skilled technician or the time-tested techniques that most of us know. “It may be quicker, but the results would likely suffer. Waxing and any other kind of hair removal for your most intimate skin needs to be handled with the utmost care, time and attention,” says Manhattan-based licensed aesthetician Allison Pratt. While it is true that waxing is rarely comfortable, safety should always be at the top of the list during any appointment. According to Deidra Green, VP of Field Performance at European Wax Center, removing that much hair at once isn’t just painful—it can cause great trauma to the skin. Pratt adds that this method is also not ideal for most body and hair types, noting that it can cause broken hairs, uneven waxing and possible bruising or hyperpigmentation. 

What should you know if you’re considering trying horseshoe waxing?

Whether you’re a veteran or newbie to Brazilian waxes, researching techniques and waxing can be helpful. “The more you know about what to expect, the more likely you are to land on an option that works best for you,” says Green. She explains that hair in the Brazilian areas grows in different directions, so the wax should always be laid in the direction of the hair growth and removed in the opposite direction. If you are considering a non-conventional approach, such as the horseshoe method, an understanding of your hair type and growth pattern will be helpful. If you’ve had a Brazilian wax before, you know that there are benefits to getting waxed frequently. “Over time, the hair becomes finer AND grows slower, meaning there are fewer hairs in the growth (anagen) phase at any given time,” says Pratt. Along with messing with your growth pattern, the experts note that a horseshoe waxing likely uses a hard wax for removal.

The final takeaway

While it seems that the horseshoe method has been used successfully by some individuals, there are more efficient, safer and comfortable hair removal methods. “This method poses a health and safety risk, along with increasing the chance of ingrown hairs and breakage,” says Green. Bottom line: Faster isn’t always better. Trends may be viral at certain time, but a lot of it nowadays is all for the hype,” adds Pratt. Instead of buying into it, take the time to research a method that works best for your skin and hair type. You’ll probably be grateful that you did.