What’s the difference between cool and warm surf wax?
The difference between cold, cool, warm, and tropical surf wax is the hardness. As the water temp increases surf wax tends to break down and get softer so you need a harder wax to with stand the temp otherwise the wax would melt off your board. One of the most important tips to buying your bar of wax is what water temperature the wax is supposed to be used in. Not all wax are the same, the hotter the water, the harder the wax needs to be, and likewise, the colder the surf, the softer the wax should be.Remember, the wax should be kept at or above 105. F (41°C) to maintain its ideal consistency for hair removal. And if the wax becomes too hot and runny, adding more beads or using spinning motions with the spatula can cool it down quickly, but if overheated considerably, it may be necessary to start afresh.If you apply wax that is too hot, you risk skin lifting, bruising or serious irritation. Always let the wax cool slightly after heating and test it on your wrist before applying. A digital wax warmer can help you monitor the temperature more precisely. Remember, your skin can tolerate warmth but not burning heat.For longer-lasting results, hot wax removes hair from the root more effectively. For convenience and portability, cold wax is more convenient because it does not require pre-heating and comes in ready-to-use strip format.
What surf wax to use in the UK?
Cold Water Wax This is your go-to wax if you’re surfing in water temperatures below 18°C, such as chilly UK waters. It’s typically harder and more durable in order to withstand the colder conditions. For the best technique and results, dermatologists recommend following these tips. At-home waxing can be an affordable method for hair removal, but it’s important to take precautions. Never wax sunburned or very sensitive skin, and don’t wax if you have taken isotretinoin in the last six months.If you’re not getting the results you want, there’s a chance that you waxed the wrong way. Wax has to be applied in the direction of hair growth and removed swiftly in the opposite direction. If it’s not removed fast enough (which can be hard to do by yourself), then there won’t be enough force to pull the hair out.Cold Waxing Disadvantages Cold waxing doesn’t always work as well on very short hairs. Because of this, a cold wax strip sometimes needs to be re-applied if you miss a hair the first time around. Repeated waxing can cause irritation and dryness to the skin.Waxing is not recommended if you have a weakened immune system, diabetes, if you are on blood thinners or are currently undergoing treatments for cancer. Be sure it has been 2 weeks since you last shaved or that your hair is 1/4 inch long. Gently exfoliate the skin 24 hours before wax.
Does it matter what surf wax you use?
Selecting the right surf wax for your board is crucial, as it can significantly impact your performance on the waves. You then need to consider how hard or soft a wax you need, which is related to the water temperatures you will be surfing in. The golden rule is the warmer the water, the harder the wax, as it needs to not melt off your board.Surfboard wax (also known as surfwax) is a formulation of natural and/or synthetic wax for application to the deck of a surfboard, bodyboard, or skimboard, to keep the surfer from slipping off the board when paddling out or riding a wave.You need to have two different types of surf wax on your surfboard: Basecoat – this is the first layer of wax you put onto your surfboard and is often a harder wax. It’s purpose is to provide a layer for your top coat to stick to.How often you wax your surfboard is mostly up to the temperature of the water you’re surfing in. The warmer the water, the more will melt and wear off the board while you’re using it. Expect to clean and re-wax your board quarterly as build-up of old, non-sticky wax can prevent new wax from sticking.
What happens if you use warm surf wax in cold water?
If you try to use cold water wax in warm water, it will soften and slide right off the board. And if you try warm water wax in cold water, it will be hard as a rock and provide little-to-no grip. Pro surfers rave about Fu Wax’s incredible traction. Unlike other waxes, this one only gets better as you surf. Fu Wax comes in cold, cool, warm, tropical, and Cool Water of Summer options, meaning that you have the perfect wax available—no matter when or where you choose to go surfing!The classic super sticky wax – always a favourite and always reliable. Lasts all day and is ideal for cold water temperatures from 5 degrees up to 14.In conclusion RSPro HexaTraction and Cork Traction are the best surf grip alternatives to wax.Can I use skate wax instead of surf or snow wax? NO. Simple as that. Skate wax is for skating, snow wax is for skiing and snowboarding and surf wax is for surfing the waves.
How often should I remove surf wax?
For surfers who surf multiple times a week, it is essential to always have a fresh, thin coat of wax or at least replace the basecoat monthly. For occasional surfers, they can surf with the same coat on until the water temperature changes. You can wax your board before each session if you see fit to do so. Now, with that logic, we highly recommend that you do a full cleaning and re-waxing every two to three months. Unless you surf every day and wax every day, then we recommend cleaning your board slightly more often per season/year.This is when you should have enough regrowth for another wax. I recommend that you get into a 4 – 6 week waxing cycle in order to get the best results from your wax. Hair grows in 3 stages and it can take up to 4 waxing treatments before all of the hair is on the same growth cycle, thus all come out together.Our advice is to wait 24 to 48 hours so your skin has time to heal and hair follicles can close. Doing so will prevent any further skin irritation.Proper hair length for waxing is one of many techniques to get a great result. To summarize, make sure your hair length is about ¼ of an inch and no longer than ½ an inch. If it’s too short, wait to wax. If it’s too long, you can trim it yourself or we’ll take care of that for you.Waxing is better than frequent shaving for the general health of your skin. It will give you hair-free skin for as many as three or four weeks. Shaving every one to three days can lead to an increased risk of skin irritation, especially for those with sensitive skin.
What did surfers use before waxing?
At some point surfers had discovered they could coat their wooden longboards with a thin layer of sand-infused varnish, which increased traction but also scraped their knees, chest, feet, and thighs. In 1935 a teenage Al applied a small amount of liquid floor wax to the deck of his surfboard, and liked the results. Surfboard wax is mainly made of paraffin, a by-product of petroleum refining. Paraffin is cheap and widely available, but it also comes with a high environmental cost. The production of paraffin involves the use of toxic chemicals, such as dioxins, that can cause cancer and reproductive damage to humans and animals.Traditional surf wax is created with petrochemicals, which aren’t biodegradable and are toxic if digested. Ever since it was introduced in 1935, wax became an essential component in any surfing kit.