Visiting a professional to wax your body hair can be expensive and time-consuming. So, as you’re staring at the new bag of wax beads you ordered online, it might get you wondering—can you melt wax beads in the microwave?
Yes, you can melt wax beads in the microwave. However, you should keep several safety tips in mind to prevent skin burns.
We’ll teach you how to melt wax beads in the microwave so that you can quickly and safely remove pesky hair.
Jump to:
- Step-by-Step Guide for Melting Wax Beads in the Microwave
- Step 1: Select a Microwave-safe Container
- Step 2: Do an Initial Heating
- Step 3: Stir the Wax
- Step 4: Repeat Steps 2 & 3
- Step 5: Reheat If Necessary
- Safety Tips for Microwaving Wax Beads
- Can You Melt Wax Beads Without a Warmer?
- How Do You Melt Wax Beads Without a Machine?
- The Bottom Line
Step-by-Step Guide for Melting Wax Beads in the Microwave
Many people don’t have wax warmers in their homes. So, if you’re wondering, “How do you melt wax without a warmer?” the microwave is an excellent option. It’s crucial to proceed with care, though. So, below are the steps you can follow.
Step 1: Select a Microwave-safe Container
Using a container that isn’t suitable for the microwave can have detrimental effects on your wax beads, microwave, and skin. Many microwave-safe materials exist, but some of the best for melting wax beads include:
- Glass-ceramic
- Heat proof glass
- Pyrex
- Corning Ware
Since you’ll be stirring the beads in later steps, choosing a bowl with enough space is important. So, we recommend filling your microwave-safe container no more than halfway.
Step 2: Do an Initial Heating
Place your microwave-safe bowl with wax beads in the microwave and place your microwave on a low setting. A twenty percent power setting is typically best, as it’ll increase the chances of the beads melting more evenly.
The risk of uneven heating is that some of the beads get too hot while others aren’t hot enough. So, this can cause a painful and ineffective experience once you apply the melted wax to your skin.
Then heat the wax beads for ten seconds to start.
Step 3: Stir the Wax
Stirring the wax will help your microwave distribute heat more evenly among the beads. But before you stick a spoon into the bowl from your microwave, we urge you to remove the entire bowl and stir it on your counter.
Make sure to wear oven gloves when doing so, and take care with your eyes as the hot wax beads can sometimes erupt and splatter.
The best tools to use for stirring melting wax beads include:
- Wooden spoon
- Silicone spatula
- Wooden wax applicator stick
Step 4: Repeat Steps 2 & 3
Manufacturers designed wax beads with a small surface area so that they melt quickly. For this reason, you should never melt wax beads in the microwave for more than ten seconds at a time.
You’ll know the wax is ready to use when there aren’t any bead clumps in the mixture, and the temperature is between 125 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally speaking, you can expect this to take around six ten-second heating and stirring cycles.
Step 5: Reheat If Necessary
Depending on how long it takes you to use the wax on your body, you may need to heat your wax beads again.
Of course, they won’t re-shape into beads at that point. Plus, they’ll likely still be warmer than when you started, meaning they only might need one or two rounds of ten-second warming.
There’s a scientific reason why wax beads cool so fast after microwaving them. That’s because microwaves warm items by creating friction in water molecules. So, since wax has low amounts of water, it loses heat quickly.
Safety Tips for Microwaving Wax Beads
Now that you know the answer to “Can you melt wax beads in the microwave?” is yes, we want to hone in on some essential safety items before you embark on your at-home hair removal journey.
For starters, you should always follow the instructions from the wax bead manufacturer. It’s safe to microwave most wax beads, but never attempt to do so if there’s a warning label cautioning against it.
You should also ensure you follow these basic safety practices:
- Use eye protection
- Wear oven mitts when handling the hot bowl
- Don’t stir the beads with a utensil that can melt
- Never let the wax temperature rise above 160 degrees Fahrenheit
According to studies, a temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit can cause skin burn in only two minutes. Since wax beads cool fast once they melt in a microwave, you shouldn’t have to worry about such a situation.
Nevertheless, checking the wax temperature with a thermometer before applying it to your skin is crucial. Even if it’s below 160 degrees Fahrenheit, if it feels too hot for you, wait for it to cool to a comfortable temperature.
Can You Melt Wax Beads Without a Warmer?
Yes, you can melt wax beads without a warmer. Using a microwave or a double boiler on the stove is effective for melting the beads.
That said, wax warmers have the benefit of an auto safety switch and temperature regulation, so it’s important to monitor the wax’s temperature to avoid burning your skin if you use these alternative methods.
How Do You Melt Wax Beads Without a Machine?
You can melt wax beads without a microwave or specialty wax machine by creating a DIY double boiler on your stove.
To do so, fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil on your stove. Then reduce the heat to medium and set a heat-safe bowl on top of it. Pour your wax beads into the bowl and use a spoon to stir them until they melt and are between the temperatures of 125 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Bottom Line
So, can you melt wax beads in the microwave? Yes, you can.
Using a microwave to melt wax beads is a fast and effective option. However, you’ll need to take care to heat the beads in small increments and use the safety advice we shared here to prevent the wax from burning your skin.
Melting wax beads in the microwave is a budget-friendly alternative to using a salon to wax body hair. You’ll soon be rocking your hair-free skin with a bit of practice.
