It seems like every day there are new ways to remove hair, whether it’s underarms, bikini line or moustache. Many women and men face hair removal challenges—the reality is, we all grow hair, but we don’t always want it.
It’s important to choose the right method for your skin type, and keep mind the time and money you have to devote to your beauty routine. There’s no point trying waxing if you don’t have the budget to go to the salon every few weeks.
If hair removal is done correctly, and you have no allergies, there should not be any lasting bumps or redness. Before trying any hair removal chemical or compound, do a patch test and wait 24 hours. If you show any signs of irritation or redness, don’t go there! Talk to your beauty care providers about any known allergies to avoid reactions.
Waxing
Waxing is one of the most popular hair removal choices, but it’s risky trying it at home. We recommend using pre-waxed strips instead of hot wax, so you don’t burn any sensitive areas. Too hot wax on a bikini line? Ouch!
If you do decide to try hot wax at home, test the temperature on the inside of your wrist before putting any warmed materials near your eyes or any delicate areas.
Waxing for hair removal is best done by an esthetician, who knows how to control the temperature and how to apply the warm wax and remove it safely.
Plucking
Plucking is a never ending job, but there is no truth to the old wive’s tale that if you continue to tweeze an area the hair will grow back even thicker. It’s also untrue that once you start tweezing that the hair won’t grow back.
Plucking an area of skin repeatedly can help to break down the hair follicle; however, that only occurs over time and the results can be uneven. Not all of the desired hair roots will be destroyed at the same time, so keep those tweezers handy.
Before choosing to tweeze your facial hair, especially eyebrows, think carefully about the shape you’re after. Not all eyebrows grow the same way. You may be lucky to have been born with a natural arch to your brow that requires minimal maintenance, or you may have to pluck daily to maintain that lovely curve.
You can reduce discomfort by lifting your brow with your non-dominant hand and holding the skin tight while you work with your other hand to tweeze. Applying a cold compress afterward helps relieve any stinging.
If you choose to use the tweezing method to remove stray hairs at home, invest in a good pair of tweezers. Disinfect the tweezers that you use for hair removal in alcohol between uses, and then thoroughly rinse and dry them before storing your tweezers and other grooming aids in a clean, dry container.
Sugaring
For centuries, women in Africa and Asia have relied on “sugaring” to get rid of unsightly hair. It’s simply a mixture of sugar and lemon juice applied to the skin surface. It adheres to the hair root, not the skin. This method works best on long hair growth and has mixed results when used to remove stubble.
Whichever method you use, take good care of your skin afterward. Avoid saunas and chlorinated swimming pools for a few hours after hair removal, and use the right type of moisturizer on the area afterward to keep your skin looking its best.
