Hair Removal Methods

Most of us are concerned about the amount of hair on our bodies, and there are many options for those who desire to rid themselves of unsightly hair. Shaving and plucking are the most popular methods of hair removal, but there are also methods known as waxing, sugaring and threading.


Shaving is the most popular method of hair removal. It's simple and can be accomplished with a straight razor or an electric razor. Some electric shavers provide best results after use of pre-shaving gels, creams or lotions, as can shaving with a straight razor.


Plucking is used as a method of hair removal for unsightly or unwanted facial hair. Using tweezers, hair removal from eyebrows is generally accomplished by hand held or electric tweezers. Tweezing pulls the hair out by its roots but it can be time consuming, depending on the results you're looking for, as each hair must be pulled out individually. Until the skin around the area becomes desensitized, this process can be on the painful side, and redness, inflammation can occur. For most, the effects of tweezing can last anywhere from three to eight weeks.


Threading is becoming a more popular trend in hair removal methods. This ancient hair removal process continues to be used in various parts of the world today, including parts of southwest Asia and the Middle East. To facilitate hair removal with this method, a long loop of thread, mostly cotton, is twisted into a figure-8 type shape and rolled along the surface of the skin. Hairs caught between the coiled pieces of string are pulled out by their roots, resulting in near perfect smoothness. This method suits hair removal from eyebrows and other facial areas, and is considered by many to be less painful than the plucking hair removal method.


Waxing is a hair removal method that is a little more time intensive and messy, though such inconveniences are more than outweighed by the fact that this method is extremely effective in hair removal of just about any type of body hair. Waxing facilitates the removal of entire shafts of hair, from below the surface of the skin. This method can be accomplished using either cool or hot wax. Be advised that waxing for hair removal, however effective, can cause skin irritations that may last several hours, and if not done carefully, can produce burns and other unpleasant results.


A hair removal method similar to waxing is one called sugaring. In this method, a sugar mixture is used instead of wax. Blending and heating sugar, water and lemon juice until it develops into a pasty mixture creates this concoction. This mixture is then applied to the surface of the skin, like a wax treatment, followed by a strip of cotton, which is then rapidly pulled off the skin in the opposite direction of the hair growth. This method of hair removal is popular among those who are sensitive to the ingredients in wax.


So take your pick, try them out and decide which method of hair removal best suits your time and your preferences.

Choosing The Right Hair Removal Products

There are several different hair removal products that are on the market. A woman may purchase creams or lotions that are designed to remove unwanted facial or body hair. This is a form of hair removal that uses the depilation method or the method that removes hair on the surface of the skin. Other types of techniques to remove hair that follow the depilation method would be the use of razors, gels, roll on or aerosol hair removal products.


Hair removal creams and lotions work like a chemical razor in that the products are designed to cause the hair to become separate from the surface of the skin. Hair removal creams and lotions usually contain a chemical known as calcium thioglycoate or a different type of high alkaline substance. This high alkaline substance is responsible for the dissolving of the protein structure of the hair.


Some products that help remove hair may contain too high a level of calcium thioglycoate. In individuals who have sensitive skin this high level of thioglycoate can cause chemical burns and skin irritation. The chemical thioglycoate is designed to disrupt the bonds that hold hair cells to the surface of the skin.


If an individual applies hair removal products to a large area of skin it is wise to first perform a skin patch test. Creams or lotions must be tested first on a small patch of skin in order to see if the chemical compound causes skin irritation. The creams or lotions must be tested for skin sensitivity or an allergic reaction. Using this type of product should be left on the skin for five to ten minutes.


When using creams or lotions on sensitive skin areas make sure that the cream or lotion is designed to be used in that area. Make sure to not apply cream around the eyes or on the eyebrows. The cream or lotion could cause eye damage or blindness.


There are several hair removal products to choose from. Most women prefer to use a cream or lotion on their legs or bikini areas. This is a pain free technique of getting rid of hair. If you have sensitive skin you might want to consider using a product that contains aloe or is specially designed to treat sensitive skin issues. Always remember to never leave a cream on for longer then the recommended time. This can cause irritation to the skin.


By using creams or lotions a women can easily remove unwanted body hair in a matter of minutes.