How They Work: A depilatory is a cream or liquid that removes hair from the skin's surface. They work by reacting with the protein structure of the hair, so the hair dissolves and can be washed or wiped away.
How Long They Last: Several days to 2 weeks
Pros: Depilatories work quickly, are readily available and are inexpensive. They're best on the leg, underarm, and bikini areas; special formulations may be used on the face and chin.
Cons: Applying depilatories can be messy and many people dislike the odor. If you have sensitive skin, you might have an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the depilatory, which may cause a rash or inflammation. Depilatories may not be as effective on people with coarse hair.
Tips: Read product directions carefully and be sure to apply the product only for the recommended amount of time for best results. Before using a depilatory on pubic hair, read product labels to find one that says it's safe to use on the "bikini" area or genitals.
Waxing
Hot Wax Best For: All types of hair, including coarse and thick; its syrupy texture adheres well to any strands. Works on all body parts, from the face to the legs.
Cold Wax Best For: Fine, soft hair, like that on the face and the stomach. It’s good for small areas, too, like the toes.
How It Works: A sticky wax is spread on the area of skin where the unwanted hair is growing. A cloth strip is then applied over the wax and quickly pulled off, taking the hair root and dead skin cells with it. The wax can be warmed or may be applied cold. With cold wax, the wax is applied, it hardens and is quickly pulled off.
How Long It Lasts: 3 to 6 weeks
Pros: Waxing leaves the area smooth and is long lasting. Hair regrowth looks lighter and less noticeable than it is after other methods of hair removal, such as shaving. With regular treatments, hairs become weaker and will eventually stop growing. One further benefit of wax removal is that dead skin cells are also removed in the process. This can make the skin can feel quite smooth afterwards.
Cons: Many people say the biggest drawback to waxing is the discomfort: Because the treatment works by pulling hair out at the roots, it can sting a bit as the hair comes off. People may notice temporary redness, inflammation, and bumps after waxing. Professional waxing is more expensive than other hair removal methods. Teens who use acne medications such as tretinoin and isotretinoin may want to skip waxing because those medicines make the skin more sensitive. People with moles or skin irritation from sunburn should also avoid waxing. Some doctors do not recommend waxing hair for people who suffer from diabetes or who have varicose veins or poor circulation, as they are more susceptible to infection. Users of medications such as Retin-A, Renova, or Accutane are advised not to use this method on the face, as these medications tend to weaken the skin and tearing of the skin may occur when the wax is removed. Also, hair waxing should not be performed on areas of skin affected by moles, pimples, warts or rashes, or on skin that is irritated, peeling, broken, chapped or suffering from sunburn.
Tips: For waxing to work, hair should be at least ¼ inch long. So skip shaving for a few weeks before waxing. Waxing works well on the legs, bikini area, and eyebrows. Never let an aesthetician wax an area twice it may cause the skin to tear and could cause hypo or hyper pigmentation. I find that the hot wax keeps the hair away longer than the cold wax, however, the cold wax is gentler. Make sure the aesthetician does not double dip the waxing stick.
Additional Information: There are two methods of waxing hair removal: hot and cold (called Persian).
With a hot wax method, the wax is warmed to allow it to be spread easily over the skin. A cloth is then pressed into the warm wax. As it cools it adheres to the cloth and the hairs become embedded in the waxy cloth. The cloth is then quickly pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth, pulling the hairs out of the follicles.
With the cold wax method, waxed strips are pressed onto the skin. After a period of time the strips are pulled off in the same manner as with hot waxing. Any remaining wax that is still left on the skin must be peeled or scratched off. See Bikini Wax for additional information.
Electrolysis
Best For: Small localized areas of hair.
How It Works: Over a series of several appointments, a professional electrologist inserts a needle into the hair follicle and sends an electric current through the hair root, killing it. A small area such as the upper lip may take a total of 4 to 10 hours and a larger area such as the bikini line may take 8 to 16 hours.
How Long It Lasts: Intended to be permanent, but some people have regrowth of hair
Pros: Some people have permanent hair removal.
Cons: Electrolysis takes big bucks and lots of time, so it's usually only used on smaller areas such as the upper lip, eyebrows, and underarms. Many people describe the process as painful, and dry skin, scabs, scarring, and inflammation may result after treatment. Infection may be a risk if the needles and other instruments aren't properly sterilized.
Tips: Talk to your doctor if you're interested in this method. He or she may be able to recommend an electrologist with the proper credentials.
Best for: Individuals with fair skin and dark pigmented hair.
How It Works: A laser is directed through the skin to the hair follicle, where it stops growth. It works best on light-skinned people with dark hair because the melanin (colored pigment) in the hair absorbs more of the light, making treatment more effective.
How Long It Lasts: Intended to be permanent, but people often need to return every 6 months to a year for maintenance
Pros: This type of hair removal is long lasting and large areas of skin can be treated at the same time.
Cons: A treatment session may cost $400 or more. Side effects of the treatment may include inflammation and redness.
Tips: There are lotions that can be applied to the skin to improve the performance of the laser treatment. Using cold packs may help diminish any inflammation after treatment. Avoiding the sun before a treatment may make results more effective. If you are interested in laser hair removal, find a reputable professional. Laser hair removal can cause permanent skin damage if not performed properly. It can be painful, but as more research continues to be gathered, it’s looking more and more like a viable option for many people.
Prescription Treatments
A cream called eflornithine is available by prescription to treat facial hair growth in women. The cream is applied twice a day until the hair becomes softer and lighter — more like vellus hair. Side effects may include skin irritation and acne. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist if you are concerned about hair growth and removal.
Antiandrogen medications are another method that doctors prescribe to reduce the appearance of unwanted hair. Because androgen hormones can be responsible for hair growth in unwanted areas, these medications can reduce hair growth by blocking androgen production. Doctors often prescribe oral contraceptives in conjunction with these medications to enhance their effect, avoid pregnancy (since antiandrogens can be harmful to a developing fetus) and help regularize the menstrual cycle in girls who need it.
Oral medications work on three levels: first by reducing the production of androgens (e.g. testosterone); secondly by binding to the cell's androgen receptors; and thirdly, reducing the conversion of androgens to follicle stimulating chemicals (i.e. Dihydrotestosterone - DHT).
As with any form of medication, there can be side effects. Before taking any medication you should consult your doctor.
It’s neither hair nor there
Deciding to remove body hair is a personal choice.
Getting rid of body hair doesn't make a person healthier, and you shouldn't feel pressured to do so if you don't want to. Some cultures view body hair as beautiful and natural, so do what feels right to you!
Irritation Salvation
No matter how you combat hair, your skin may suffer minor casualties: ingrown hairs and burns. Luckily, they’re easy to treat, as follows.
Ingrown hairs
These curl under the skin instead of growing straight out, resulting in painful bumps.
Avoid them with daily exfoliation. You may use a terry washcloth, a grainy scrub, or a liquid that contains salicylic or glycolic acid. You can apply an antiseptic to help prevent infection, but if you notice redness or swelling, or have pain in the area, see a doctor. Avoid ingrown hairs by shaving in the direction of hair growth.
To treat existing ingrown hairs, choose an acid-based solution; scrubbing will hurt. Or try a hair-inhibiting spray or cream to help avoid them altogether. Skindinävia Post Shave or Tend Skin are two products that may help minimize problems.
Razor burn
If these rashy bumps are your issue, apply a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to the skin after hair removal. It will soothe any irritation before it gets out of hand.
Disclaimer: Information on this web site was gathered from many sources in public domain such as published books, articles, studies and web sites. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. Please discuss your health conditions and treatments with your personal physician.
