Hair removal is a common practice for many people around the world. While hair plays an important role in protecting the skin, it can also be a source of discomfort and inconvenience. Hair removal helps to get rid of unwanted hair and achieve softer and smoother skin. But which hair removal method should you choose? What are the tips for successful hair removal at home? We have gathered all the necessary information for a perfect hair removal experience!
But first, let’s talk about hair. What is a hair?
Each hair comprises 4 parts: the hair follicle and the hair itself, the sebaceous gland that secretes sebum, the apocrine sweat gland that produces sweat in specific areas of the body such as the armpits and eyelids, and finally the piloerector muscle that is responsible for goosebumps.
Regarding the hair growth cycle, each hair has about 20 cycles in its life. The hair growth cycle consists of three phases: the anagen phase where the hair grows and colors, which lasts for three years, the catagen phase where hair growth stops for three weeks, and finally the telogen phase which lasts three months, where the old hair is eliminated and a new hair is created.
The catagen phase lasts only three weeks, which explains why it is necessary to perform hair removal every three or four weeks, depending on the person.
Now that we understand the structure of hair and its life cycle, let’s talk about the different hair removal methods. There are several, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Hair removal methods:
Shaving:
Shaving is the quickest method to get rid of hair, but it is also the least durable. Hair grows back quickly, often in just 1 or 2 days, and can be coarse and irritating for sensitive skin.
Depilatory creams:
Depilatory creams are a quick and effective option for removing hair, but they often contain chemicals that can irritate the skin. In addition, hair also regrows quickly, usually within 4 days.
Epilators:
Epilators are a more durable hair removal method, lasting up to 2 weeks. However, using an epilator can be painful, especially in sensitive areas, and can lead to ingrown hairs because this method breaks the hairs.
Waxing:
Waxing is a popular and effective method for getting rid of hair. It allows for lasting hair removal, which usually lasts for 3 to 4 weeks. Additionally, hair grows back finer after each waxing session. However, waxing can be expensive and therefore inaccessible for some.
Sugaring:
Sugaring, also known as Oriental hair removal, is a natural, effective, and gentle method for hair removal. It allows for lasting hair removal, which usually lasts for 3 to 4 weeks. However, this method can be difficult to use.
Threading:
Finally, threading is a natural, effective, and quick technique that is particularly suitable for small areas such as eyebrows. It carries no risk of allergy but can be difficult to master.
At-home Skincare Routine
Before scheduling a hair removal appointment, it’s important to follow a few tips to prepare your skin. First, choose the right time to wax. For example, during your menstrual cycle, it is not recommended to wax as your blood flow increases therefore making waxing more painful. It’s also important to check the condition of your skin to make sure there are no lesions, burns, or redness.
To prepare your skin for waxing, it’s recommended to regularly exfoliate with a scrub to remove dead skin cells and impurities while limiting ingrown hairs. It’s also important to moisturize your skin regularly, at least a week before your appointment, to keep it supple and prevent pulling during waxing. Additionally, on the day of the appointment, it is recommended to avoid moisturizing creams which can leave residues and prevent the wax from adhering properly.
After your appointment, it’s important to take care of your skin to avoid irritation. Here are a few tips:
Stay out of the sun after waxing
Exposing your new smooth skin may be tempting, but you should resist the temptation. After waxing, your skin is sensitive and fragile, and the sun can easily burn it. So, avoid sun exposure for at least 24 hours after waxing. If you have to go out, cover the recently waxed areas and use sunscreen.
Avoid heat
After waxing, your skin is already stressed, so don’t stress it further with exposure to high temperatures. This means avoiding hot baths, steam rooms, saunas, and jacuzzis for 24 hours. Your skin needs time to recover after waxing, so be patient.
Avoid scrubs and alcohol-based skincare
You may think that exfoliating immediately after waxing would help eliminate ingrown hairs, but you would be wrong. Scrubs can aggress your skin and cause irritation. Similarly, products containing alcohol can dry out the skin and make it even more sensitive. It’s therefore best to avoid these products for the 24 hours following waxing.
Moisturize your skin
After waxing, your skin may be dry and sensitive. It’s therefore important to use a moisturizing product to nourish your skin. Use the moisturising product of your choice and apply it daily to the waxed areas. This will help soothe the skin and prevent irritation.
Prepare for hair regrowth
For regrowth without ingrown hairs, it’s important to exfoliate once a week and moisturize the affected areas daily. If small bumps or ingrown hairs appear, use a special care product. It’s also important not to shave between waxing sessions, as this can make regrowth more difficult.
Book an appointment every 3 weeks
To have a clean wax and avoid multiple regrowths, it’s very important to respect the 3-week interval between each waxing. Plus, the more you wax, the less painful it will be. The first few waxing sessions are the most painful.
In conclusion, hair removal is a common practice that allows you to get rid of unwanted hair and have smoother, softer skin. There are several hair removal methods with their advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to follow an at-home skincare routine to prepare your skin before waxing and take care of it afterwards. So, choose the method that suits you best and enjoy smooth, soft skin!