What Are Some Safe Methods To Remove Unwanted Body Hair?

Animals are cute when they have fluff all over, but modern humans perceive hair in the wrong places as something somewhat unsightly. In other words, if it’s not on your head, it generally has to go. If you’re tired of shaving daily but not up for spending a great deal of money on a shocking treatment like electrolysis or laser therapy, there’s good news.

There are numerous hair removal methods to choose from to successfully and safely give your skin a silky, smooth appearance. We look at some of the most popular (and affordable) techniques.

Waxing

Waxing involves applying hot or cold wax to the area of hair growth on your skin. The wax is then removed with a strip, much like a band-aid, pulling out all the hairs along with it. It can be slightly painful, but the great thing about waxing is that you can remain hair-free for a few weeks! Most people start to see new hair growth after three to four weeks.

Waxing is ideal for small and large areas, from eyebrows and the upper lip to your legs and arms. If you don’t mind the momentary pain and like the idea of being hair-free for almost four weeks, there are a few things you need to know before getting your wax on.

Waxing is not recommended for people who are taking or have taken isotretinoin in the past six months. If you’re applying tretinoin (retinoic) to your skin or taking antibiotics, you’ll have to stay away from waxing for the time being as well. The reason for this is that these medications cause thinning of the skin. When the wax is removed, it can cause serious injury by tearing the skin in the process.

At-home Waxing Tips:

• Do a small area first. This will help you gauge the correct wax temperature and check for any adverse reactions.
• Always use a wooden stick to apply the wax (not metal).
• Never dip a used stick more than once to apply wax.
• After waxing, your skin may be red and irritated for a short while. This is normal and will go away within 24 hours. Applying aloe vera gel can help ease itchiness.

Hair Removal Cream

A hair removal cream (also referred to as a depilatory) is an easy and painless way to get rid of unwanted hair at home. The hair removal cream is applied to the area you want to clear and simply needs to be wiped or washed off after the indicated time. Hair removal with a cream or gel keeps you hair-free longer than shaving.

As with any hair removal method, it’s important to consider the following before starting the procedure:

• Always follow the instructions and do not exceed the application time.
• It is essential to do a patch test on a small area first.
• If your skin starts to burn or sting, remove it immediately. In this case, it’s best to try another product that doesn’t cause skin irritation.
• It is advisable to do a patch test every time you use the product in a different area, as the skin may be thinner or more sensitive.

Just a little warning: these products generally don’t smell great.

Threading

Threading is very much like tweezing, except that it doesn’t involve a tweezer and requires a professional’s hand. Two twisted cotton threads are rolled over unwanted hairs and pulled out. This is ideal for small areas that require precise hair removal, such as eyebrows. It’s not suitable for large areas.

Threading is much faster than tweezing and will keep your brows shapely for four to five weeks. It’s also ideal for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin. Since it’s a precise technique, you’ll likely have to visit your salon to get it done.