Today we have a awesome article from Claudia Beck introducing you to the best Tips for Hair Removal.
The ancient Egyptians were the first women to remove all hair (including from their head) using seashell tweezers, beeswax and pumice stones.
Thankfully hair removal has come a long way since then. We have adapted their archaic tools and developed our own technology to get rid of that pesky hair.
Removing hair is painful and finding the right technique for your skin, hair and budget can be even more painful. Whether you’re looking for a quick fix or a long-term solution, there is a hair removal technique for you.
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We’ve also included some tips on hair removal to make it a less painful experience.
Tweezing
Tweezing is time –consuming and is usually only used for eyebrows. Tweezing involves plucking individual hairs, one by one with a set of tweezers. This is painful and can cause ingrown hairs if the roots are pulled in the wrong direction.
Not recommended for large areas such as legs. Although it can be done quickly and from home, the pain and risks of infections are high. Take care when tweezing!
Hair Removal Cream
Hair removal creams can dissolve hair at a skin level and are considered a semi-permanent solution. Over time the cream can weaken the hairs from the follicle up. Hair removal creams reduce the risk of ingrown hairs which is a good option if you’re prone to them. The main risk associated with hair removal cream is chemical burns.
They also have a potent chemical smell that will linger in your home. If you do choose to use a hair removal cream, always remove after the recommended time frame to reduce the risk and remove the cream completely.
Waxing
One of the earliest observed techniques for hair removal, the process of waxing hasn’t changed all that much. Previously, waxing was a salon exclusive; now you can buy home-waxing kits from the supermarket. Be wary of home kits though, as the consistency of wax has to be just right if it is to be effective at removing the hairs.
Legs and eyebrows are the most commonly waxed areas, but your eyebrows will need more time between appointments to heal the delicate skin.
In the long-term waxing will slow hair growth but for the first 2-3 months, it actually accelerates hair growth. This is a great solution for those who are patient and have a high pain threshold.
It is also costly each time you go to the salon, but you will require fewer visits are the first 6 or so months. Waxing is not recommended for people who have eczema or psoriasis as it can irritate the skin and cause hyperpigmentation.
Threading
Threading is the newest trend in hair removal and seems like there are several threading suites in each mall. Threading involves two cotton twines that are used to pluck hair from the root.
This technique is mostly used on small facial areas such as eyebrows and facial hair because like tweezing, it only targets individual or very small groups of hair. Threading is also very painful but is gentler on the skin than tweezing. It is cheaper than waxing and doesn’t take too long.
Laser
Laser hair removal was the first semi-permanent solution offered to patients. It relied on the process of light lasers converting to heat when passing through dark material and because of this it relied on the contrast of dark hair to light skin to work.
The lasers would damage the bulb of the hair which would inhibit growth for 6-12 months before returning to normal. This is a popular semi-permanent option but can be costly as it requires a number of treatments.
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Treatment
IPL uses a monochromatic light source that is developed to pass safely through the skin. IPL is said to be less damaging than laser treatments and is 60 times faster than treatments that target individual hair. IPL focuses on the follicle and ignores the blood vessels, glands and nerves that surround the follicle.
This technique is said to be just as effective on all skin and hair types, and although it may take a few treatments, it can deliver long-term results. The light beam causes hair to drop out after treatment and is less painful than laser treatments. Some patients who used IPL also experienced the formation of new collagen in the area treated.
There are many types of IPL treatment machines with some that can narrow the direction of light and provide a cooling system while the treatment is happening. This results in a more comfortable treatment and requires a smaller number of treatments. If you’re willing to spend some money for long-term results, IPL is highly recommended by professionals.
Shaving![This means more effort to shave more often.]()
Probably the most common and cheapest hair removal technique, shaving involves razors that cut hair at the skin level.
Because of this, hair remains below the skin level and continues to grow with an intact root resulting in faster regrowth. This means more effort to shave more often.
Razors also cut the hair at an angle which encourages hair to grow in an unusual direction and therefore causes ingrown hairs.
After shaving, the skin is often red, inflamed and bumpy and you have a high chance of receiving a shaving cut.
It may seem like an easy option to pick up the razor but long-term it’s going to eat up your time and damage your skin.
Epilating
An epilator is a motorised device that has rotating blades and tweezers that grab at the hairs and pull them out of the root. These were extremely popular as like waxing; they slow down the growth cycle of hair but can be done from home.
To use an epilator, you have to wait until your hair hits a minimum length otherwise it won’t be able to grab the hairs. They are said to be very painful at first, but the pain reduces each time you use it. You’ll need to thoroughly clean the epilator each time you use it to reduce the likelihood of infection.
8 Tips for Hair Removal
Clean your skin beforehand: oil and moisturizers can compromise the effectiveness of wax, hair removal cream and make it harder to thread the hairs.
Use the right product: facial products are for your face, leg wax is for your legs. Simple right? Wrong. Facial hair removal cream is not suitable for your eyebrows… Even though it is part of your face. Read the box beforehand and don’t stray from the instructions.
Take a pain killer or use a numbing cream before epilating, waxing or threading: this will help ease the pain but ensure you use a cream that won’t interfere with the wax consistency.
Exfoliate your skin the day before: this removes dead skin cells that could be left after hair removal and clog the skin.
Leave it as long as you can between hair removals: waxing and epilators require your hair to be a certain length before you attack it. It is a good idea to use this rule for shaving and tweezing too. If the hair is too short for tweezing, the tweezers can damage your skin. Shaving is tough on your skin so give it time to fully heal before you shave again.
Patch test products: if you have sensitive skin or if you’ve never used the product before, it is a good idea to patch test the product. This goes for wax, hair removal cream and shaving creams. It is better to have a reaction on a small piece of skin that your face or legs.
Avoid skin products directly after hair removal: after any hair removal treatment, the skin is damaged and most sensitive. All the hair follicles and pores are open and clogging the skin with deodorant or moisturiser can lead to ingrown hairs and irritation. Wait at least 10 minutes depending on the treatment.
Take your time: use your hair removal routine as a time for relaxation. Give yourself plenty of time and don’t rush as you’ll likely miss some or hurt yourself.
Author Bio: Claudia Beck is an interior designer and writer with a passion for health and beauty currently living in Perth, Australia.
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