Posts Tagged ‘hair removal methods’

When it comes to hair removal it can sometimes seem that men have it easy. All they have to do is run a razor over their face and they are done. They don’t have to worry about hairy legs, armpits and upper lips like women do. And waxing is very often said to be the best solution but it can also be the most painful one. And waxing is definitely not for everybody. Particularly if you have sensitive skin.

But there are many other pain free hair removal methods that are just as effective as waxing.

Depilatory creams.

These are creams that are applied to the skin and then removed. They will then take the excess hair with them. They do this by using an ingredient called sodium thyoglicolate to dissolve the keratin that makes up the hair follicles. 

For best results when using a depilatory cream you first need to rinse the area where the hair is to be removed in warm water. This will help to soften the hair follicles which will make the whole process much quicker and easier. Dry your face and then apply the cream using the spatula or application device provided. You will notice quite an unpleasant smell when you are applying the cream. This will go away when the cream is rinsed off.

Always follow the instructions and never exceed the recommended time to leave the cream on. You could risk burning your skin if you do. Wipe the excess cream away with a spatula, removal device or an unscented wipe. Then rinse the area in lukewarm water to help remove all of the cream. If you can still smell the cream then you need to continue rinsing.

These can be used on the face, legs underarms and forearms. But they should never be used on the genitals, nipples or eyebrows.

Always perform a skin sensitivity test before using a depilatory cream. Test it on a small area and if your skin reacts even slightly badly then do not use it.

Shaving.

This is another pain free way of removing hair. It is not as long term as depilatory creams but it is more convenient and cheaper. 

The key to shaving is lubrication. Your skin needs plenty of protection and you need  a good barrier between your skin and the razor. 

When you are shaving, it is a good idea to rinse your skin with plenty of warm water. This will help to soften the hair follicles and make removing the hair much easier. 

Apply a generous amount of shaving cream to the area and rub it in to create a lather. Using a shaving mousse is a good idea because it creates much more leather than gels and creams. This will give you more protection and a closer shave.

With the first stroke of your razor you should follow the growth of the hair. Rinse the razor and then go against the growth. 

Once you have completed the area then make sure you rinse it in lukewarm water to remove any excess shaving gel or hair.

This is suitable for legs, underarms and bikini lines. It is also suitable for men’s faces but not women’s.

IS IT WORTH GETTING BURNED FROM THE SIDE EFFECTS OF LASER HAIR REMOVAL?

As a light skinned person, who is interested in getting “Laser Hair Removal”, I am always looking into the potential benefits, and the side effects, -especially, the possibility that I might be “burned”!

(By the way, I have experienced many, different side effects from most of the other “safe and traditional” hair removal methods)!

First, I will weigh the possible side effects of “Laser Hair Removal. Finally, I hope to decide if I’m going to “bet the farm”, by trying the ‘latest and greatest’, “Laser Hair Removal” methods!

PLEASE, before listing the possible side effects, I would hope that a person uses: “common sense”: I sure hope that after reading this article, that a person will be more encouraged to choose a doctor with: the right credentials, along with a good track record (and, -not just because they’re the cheapest doctors in town)!

(1) FIRST SIDE EFFECT: I have read that there are short-term side effects, including redness and swelling. These are usually temporary and, as a rule -go away within one week.

(2) SECOND SIDE EFFECT: One should note that a person can truly get burned, from having this procedure -and not just from your burning pocket book! It is a rare, but strange phenomenon that (usually darker) people’s skin can get burned, if the skin absorbs the laser rays, instead of the hair follicle. You see, the darker skin absorbs the sun’s rays (when tanning) -so, I guess it makes some sense that this might happen while receiving “Laser Hair Removal”. What will happen if the skin does burn? Well, I will now try to explain this, along with other “Laser Hair Removal” side effects:

(3) THIRD SIDE EFFECT: This third, and more permanent side effect of “blotching” (or changes in pigment) can happen (especially, with darker skin). Thankfully, they say that this side effect, rarely happens! I will define the two types of changes in pigment, that may occur: “Hyper-pigmentation and Hypo-pigmentation. Hyper-pigmentation is defined as: the darkening of skin that might occur after laser hair removal treatment (similar to getting an “uneven suntan”). The opposite of the “uneven suntan effect”, is called: Hypo-pigmentation, which is defined: the lightening of skin that might (rarely) happen, after a laser hair removal treatment.

(4) FOURTH SIDE EFFECT: The “Laser Hair Removal” method does not completely (or permanently) remove the hair, as promised. Note: These ads also say that

Removing facial hair is delicate, since the skin of the face is much gentler than say leg skin. You can never settle for shaving facial hair, since the result will be the regrowth of thicker and darker hairs.

The methods that you can use to deal with undesired facial hair are numerous, each one leaving skin hair-free for a period varying from several days to several years. Select the facial hair removal strategy that is best suited to your needs and skin type.

* Depilatory products *
You can use one of the numerous depilatory creams, gels and foams available. These will spare your facial skin from the dehydration that shaving causes. Before you apply these products, you must carry out a skin test. Apply the product over a small portion of skin to check whether any reddening or inflammation occurs. Your skin might be too sensitive for the usage of such substances. In such cases refrain from using depilatory creams. Keep in mind that these products act in a manner similar to shaving and hairs will start growing again after several days.

* Waxing *
Waxing is probably one of the most popular hair removal methods. It produces long-lasting results. The problem with waxing is that the method is very aggressive and could lead to the inflammation of the gentle facial skin.

One of the biggest waxing advantages is that the effect lasts for several weeks and hair starts growing back thinner and softer. You can use either hot or cold waxing, both options available for home use.

If you want to get excellent results, it will be best to visit a beauty studio where a professional will perform the procedure.

* Tweezing *
The effect of tweezing is similar to the effect of waxing. Its advantage is that removing one hair at a time will diminish skin irritation. The setback of tweezing is that the procedure is too slow to carry out.

Tweezing is most suitable for smaller areas and for softer hair. It can be performed at home and the effect lasts for at least two weeks.

* Electrolysis *
Electrolysis is a hair removal method which is said to produce permanent results. You can get it from a professional only. In the process, a fine needle is used. Electrical current passes through it to destroy the root of hair. Keep in mind that electrolysis is expensive and somehow painful.

* Laser depilation *
Laser depilation produces results that last for a period of several years.

The setback of laser depilation is that it is expensive, time consuming and to get results, you will need to carry out six to eight procedures. The laser is used to destroy the root of hair. The process is painless.

Laser depilation cannot be used in the case of white or fair hairs. These lack the melanin needed to absorb the light energy of the laser and to turn it into heat that destroys hairs.

Laser depilation machines for home use are already available, though many question the result that these are able to produce.

HAIR REMOVAL: IS SHAVING OK?

With so many different forms of hair removal, you may ask yourself this very question. Shaving is the oldest form of removing unwanted hair, but you may find your skin gets irritated easily by shaving. Looking into other methods of removing hair is a personal decision. Another important thing to think about is, just where is the hair that you want removed placed on your body? Different locations can be more sensitive to an old fashioned razor and you may want to learn different methods.

Of course shaving is OK, and is a good way to remove unwanted hair. Depending on your skins sensitivities you just need to learn the proper ways of doing it. For starters, you NEVER want to shave your skin dry! This can and most likely will cause some unsightly razor burn and be very uncomfortable. Shave in the shower towards the end of your shower or bath when you skin has absorbed plenty of moisture.

Then when you get out of the shower or bath moisturize your skin well. This can help stop razor burn! You also want to remember to shave the way the hair grows in. Going over the hair in the correct direction of the hair growth is the best way to avoid any irritations.

If you are just sick of shaving every day, there are other options available to you. You can give some of these hair removal methods to find the one that best suits you.

Waxing
Tweezing
Depilatories
Electrolysis or Laser Hair Removal

Again depending on where the hair you want removed it determines the best hair removal treatment for you. Since some areas are much more sensitive then others, you want to treat each area the bes t you can to prevent irritating your skin.

Shaving is fine, you just need to moisturize your skin well before putting a razor to it! The most common areas one wants to remove hair from, either a man or a woman, are the following.

Armpits
Legs
Face
Pubic Area
Eyebrows
Stomach
Back
Chest

Each area is different and requires different care. The eyebrows in my opinion should never be shaved! Rather they should be tweezed or waxed. Shaving does have to be done frequently because the hair grows back rather fast. The bottom line is of course shaving is OK. It has been done for so many years and is practices every day by millions of people. Just never shave on dry skin because it will cause skin to be irritated and cause razor burn!

When it comes to hair removal it can sometimes seem that men have it easy. All they have to do is run a razor over their face and they are done. They don’t have to worry about hairy legs, armpits and upper lips like women do. And waxing is very often said to be the best solution but it can also be the most painful one. And waxing is definitely not for everybody. Particularly if you have sensitive skin.

But there are many other pain free hair removal methods that are just as effective as waxing.

Depilatory creams.

These are creams that are applied to the skin and then removed. They will then take the excess hair with them. They do this by using an ingredient called sodium thyoglicolate to dissolve the keratin that makes up the hair follicles. 

For best results when using a depilatory cream you first need to rinse the area where the hair is to be removed in warm water. This will help to soften the hair follicles which will make the whole process much quicker and easier. Dry your face and then apply the cream using the spatula or application device provided. You will notice quite an unpleasant smell when you are applying the cream. This will go away when the cream is rinsed off.

Always follow the instructions and never exceed the recommended time to leave the cream on. You could risk burning your skin if you do. Wipe the excess cream away with a spatula, removal device or an unscented wipe. Then rinse the area in lukewarm water to help remove all of the cream. If you can still smell the cream then you need to continue rinsing.

These can be used on the face, legs underarms and forearms. But they should never be used on the genitals, nipples or eyebrows.

Always perform a skin sensitivity test before using a depilatory cream. Test it on a small area and if your skin reacts even slightly badly then do not use it.

Shaving.

This is another pain free way of removing hair. It is not as long term as depilatory creams but it is more convenient and cheaper. 

The key to shaving is lubrication. Your skin needs plenty of protection and you need  a good barrier between your skin and the razor. 

When you are shaving, it is a good idea to rinse your skin with plenty of warm water. This will help to soften the hair follicles and make removing the hair much easier. 

Apply a generous amount of shaving cream to the area and rub it in to create a lather. Using a shaving mousse is a good idea because it creates much more leather than gels and creams. This will give you more protection and a closer shave.

With the first stroke of your razor you should follow the growth of the hair. Rinse the razor and then go against the growth. 

Once you have completed the area then make sure you rinse it in lukewarm water to remove any excess shaving gel or hair.

This is suitable for legs, underarms and bikini lines. It is also suitable for men’s faces but not women’s.