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How to get rid of unwanted hair
Since time immemorial, we women have always struggled to get rid
of the unsightly hair that Nature has given us. Today men have
also joined in our struggle, but what can we do to get rid of
these undesirable hairs? Would you like some information on the
hair-removal methods that exist today? After carefully reading
this article, you'll be able to choose the hair-removal
technique that best adapts to your needs.
Razor hair removal. Is it OK to shave to get rid of hair?
This method does not remove hairs from the root but shaves them
on the surface level of the skin. Today we have new types of
feminine shaving razors that adapt perfectly to different body
areas and include a lubricating material (generally aloe) at the
base, leaving the skin soft and moisturized. What's more, after
shaving, you can apply a hair-removal cream that will calm your
skin. Undoubtedly, this method of hair removal will not take up
much of your time, as all you have to do is apply shaving cream
on your skin and shave. However, we only recommend this
hair-removal method for going over an area in case of an
emergency, as the hair will start to come out stronger, although
not in greater quantities, as people say. Even so, sensitive
skin products do exist that reduce the risk of allergy to this
type of hair removal. As you shave your skin, you are
exfoliating it and you can shave anytime, anywhere.
Hair-removing cream: efficient but brief.
Removing hair with cream is a chemical method that has
thyoglicolic acid salts as the active ingredient. This acts on
the aerial part of the hair, transforming the keratin in a few
minutes into a soft, manageable mass that can be easily
eliminated with a spatula or simply with water. It's a fast
hair-removal method (5 to 8 minutes), pain-free and comfortable.
Don't surpass the recommended waiting period for removing the
cream, however, because you could get skin blotches. Special
creams for sensitive skins also exist. Just as with shaving,
your hair is cut but not removed from the root, even though
creams are less aggressive on your skin than razors.
The areas at the calves and groin are the most likely to get
stubborn, ingrown hair. Veet's subcutaneous anti-hair cream
avoids the horizontal growth of this type of hair, which makes
hair removal difficult. Its formula includes alpha hydroxyl
acids, which soften and finetune the skin so that the hair is
less resistant upon its removal. With this hair-removal method,
the skin does not run the risk of being cut and it also remains
softer during a longer stretch of time, since the hair growth is
softer and the epidermis is more moisturized.
At the same time, this hair-removal method does not last long
and it's slower than shaving. Previously, some creams irritated
the skin and even had an unpleasant smell, but these problems
have been solved through calming enrichment actives and by using
perfumes with stable coverage power.
Warm or hot wax?
Hot waxing is by now a classic at beauty institutes. However,
the appearance of cold waxes is substituting it since it can be
harmful if one has varicose veins or circulation problems. Even
so, it's the most popular method and has many adherents that
prefer it over warm waxing for a number of reasons, among them,
that the new warm waxing techniques produce allergies and
adverse reactions in sensitive skins.
On the market there is a diversity of types and the difference
between them lies in their texture, color and fusion point,
although all of them melt at an adequate temperature so as not
to produce burns or malpractice. The procedure is the following:
- The area from which the hair is to be removed is disinfected.
It's helpful to sprinkle with talcum powder to ease hair
extraction and remove any trace of moisture.
- The wax is extended in the direction of the hair growth and
with a wood spatula because it's an insulating material.
- Extra care is taken to produce very defined edges so that it
will be easier to remove the wax. - The hair is removed in the
direction opposite to the growth, taking care to press on the
area, especially in very vascular areas like the groin and
underarms.
- One tranquilizing secret is to press a hand to the area alter
removing the strip of wax, since this tranquilizes and gives a
sense of support.
- After finishing, you have to apply a product with
moisturizing agents and skin decongestants. It can be any
texture: gel, cream, foam...
Warm wax allows hair to be removed from the root without leaving
the skin red and is recommended for women with circulation
problems. It requires minimum heating, can even be done in the
microwave and is soluble in water; it's easier to remove any
excess.
To remove hairs, you can also use ready-to-use wax strips. You
don't have to heat them up. All you have to do is rub them
between your hands, apply them firmly on your skin and remove
them in a sharp, quick movement. They are easy to use anywhere
and whenever. Since they have the same temperature as the skin,
they are even adequate for people with circulation problems. If
you have a lot of hair, this method can be very long and
bothersome; what's more, it's painful.
Another alternative: electric hair removal
This is a very efficient hair-removal method that extracts the
hair from the roots through a series of small tweezers
incorporated in the head of a little electric machine. While the
first models were fairly painful, now the new epilators employ
systems like a new distribution of the tweezers, massage or cold
accessories that have notably reduced any discomfort. They are
fast, comfortable and clean. Since they extract the hairs from
the root, they are used every four weeks. The hair begins to
progressively diminish, so that some qualify this method as
semi-permanent. Today they also have accessories like special
heads for sensitive areas and for previously softening and
exfoliating the skin. This method does not activate a peeling
like wax and some hairs tend to develop into a cyst in some
areas where the skin is much thicker, as in the calves. It can
be somewhat painful if you have a lot of hair. As of today they
are not sufficiently advanced to be used in sensitive areas,
even though some include special devices that shave instead of
removing the hair.
Try Phillips' new Satin Ice Optima HP 6459, which is an electric
epilator with a cold effect that promises to reduce the pain and
discomfort that eliminating hair from the root can cause. It has
several advantages: a calming ice cartridge in a round and
curved shape (for underarms and the bikini line), two speeds,
and an exfoliating head that helps prevent ingrown hairs, in
addition to a shaving head. Approx. price: 99,99 euros. Or
Braun's Silk-épil Soft Perfection Body Epilation incorporates a
new distribution of tweezers, a massage system in four
directions and, also, a special head for sensitive areas.
Approx. price: 71,90 euros.
Laser: the definite hair-removal system?
It's the revolution that liberates women with hair problems from
the ordeal of waxes, razors, epilators... Lasting, painless and,
apparently, secure.
Laser hair removal destroys the pilus follicle and the hair
matrix through a laser discharged upon the area to be treated.
It produces a highly concentrated ray of light. The color of the
light produced by a concrete laser is key in its effect on the
hair follicles. The melanin (a pigment present in all types of
hair) absorbs the wave longitude, receiving heat until the
matrix and the pilus follicle are destroyed, thus avoiding any
future hair growth.
It's too early to know if this hair-removal technique is truly
definite. In Spain, it hasn't been used for more than three
years, and while the women who've used laser hair removal may
not have hairs at this point, we don't know whether hair growth
will resume in five or 10 years. What is true is that at first
they were recommending three to four sessions and now the
average is around eight with intervals of two to three months,
although that always depends on the type of hair and the area to
be treated.
In general, a minimum of six sessions is needed, depending on
each person, the area, etc. You have to keep in mind that during
the first session the only hairs that are removed are the ones
that are in the growth phase at that point (80 percent). After
four weeks, a second session is applied to treat between 15 and
30 percent of the "dormant" hair. In the other sessions, the
remaining hairs are eliminated. But beware: Patience is needed
to suppress the successive hairs that will continue to surface
during the next four to six months. The sessions can last
between a few minutes and an hour. It depends on the area that's
being treated.
The biggest difficulty for laser is that not only does the hair
contain melanin but also the skin, which can cause
hipopigmentation blotches (white) on the darkest skins. The
eyebrows are an area that are not recommended because of their
proximity to the eyes (they require special protection).
The sensation is similar to a burn, but since it's done quickly,
it's well tolerated. (The underarms are treated in eight minutes
altogether.) People with darker skin feel a slight tingling or
itching. For very ample areas or areas sensitive to pain, it's
recommended that an anesthetic cream be applied two hours before
the treatment. Immediately after the laser hair removal, the
treated area can get red or slightly inflamed, but these
symptoms disappear in a short period of time.
Immediately after a laser session, the skin's appearance varies
in each patient depending on the extent of the treatment. The
skin can get red or swell, but it shortly returns to its normal
appearance. In some cases a slight burn similar to a hot oil
splatter is produced and some problems of hiperpigmentation or
hipopigmentation (blotches) may appear.
Laser hair removal must be done through a doctor because the
European Union has this laser classified as type AA. That means
that it is not invasive but aggressive, and any treatment of
this type cannot be applied by non-medical personnel.
Let's talk about prices, approximately and depending on which
center: Underarms: approx. 480 Euros. Full legs: approx. 1200
Euros.. Upper lip: approx 360 Euros.
The hair-removal results are the following:
1. Between 80 and 90 percent of the hairs are eliminated. 2. Ten
to 20 percent of the hair remains, but it's much finer and
sparse, so that aesthetically it's less important. Possibility
of a touching-up session in one to two years. Laser is a form of
energy with visible light (many patients associate the word
laser to carcenogenic but that's not the case). With each
session 20 to 30 percent of the hair is eliminated, but the
results (bald areas and finer hair) start to be noticed starting
with the third or fourth session.
Laser effect: To slow down and debilitate, progressively, the
hair that continues growing. Precautions: If in doubt about
tanned skin, it's always best to test a specific area of the
skin. We use 2 or 3 different energies and the reaction of the
skin is evaluated in 24-40 hours.
About the author:
Maria Llorente is a qualified Make Up Artist and Beauty expert.
You read more of her articles at: http://www.todosobredepilacion.com/
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