Hair Removal Options: Depilatories

I’m wrapping up our series on hair removal for women with my thoughts on depilatories (hair removal creams). We’ve already discussed laser hair removal, brazilian wax, bikini wax, and shaving the bikini line.

I want to discuss the most popular over the counter drug store brand depilatory creams: Nair, Veet, Salley Hansen and Bikini Zone.

Generally speaking, I don’t particularly care for hair removal creams. Even if they work as claimed, the process is entirely too messy for me.  The process of applying the cream, waiting X number of minutes, running around naked (or semi-naked) – smearing the cream all over the place…bleh! I dunno, perhaps that only happens to me – but I hate it!

Veet:The Veet brand has both cream, lotion and wax products available over the counter.  They have a gel, In-shower removal cream, blade-less kit, spray on removal cream and products for people with sensitive skin.

Nair: Nair also has an extensive line of products that include a no-strip wax system. They’ve added a wax strip line called Pretty as well. The Nair Pretty system is a line of body and face wax that comes in soothing scents and has glitter in it. Honestly – unless you’re between the ages of 14-17 tops, I can’t imagine why you’d want glitter on your face or body.

Sally Hansen:Sally Hansen is probably one of the most recognizable and well trusted names in drug store products. From nail polish to bleaching creams – Sally Hansen has it! The Sally Hansen hair removal product line is probably the most extensive of the bunch. She has the standard lotions, cremes, gels and waxes – but she also has bleaches and post-hair removal moisturizing products.

Bikini Zone Hair Removal:  The pickings are disappointingly slim with the Bikini Zone product line. They have a grand total of 3 products for womens hair removal – wax strips, microwave wax and a creme hair remover. Though they do have a pretty good after-shave product that prevents/gets rid of bumps.

For the most part, depilatories all work the same. It’s hard to really pick one over the other in that regard. It will come down to a personal preference and skin sensitivities. Some of the products may contain ingredients that don’t really mesh well with your skin type. Although I generally speaking, DO NOT use depilatories – on the occasions that I do, I always go for the Veet brands. They smell better and leave my skin smoother!

Hair Removal Options: Shaving your Bikini Line

I’m continuing the series on the best hair removal options with a look at good ole’ fashioned shaving! We have already discussed laser hair removal, brazilian bikini wax, and standard bikini wax.

Hands down, regular shaving will be the most inexpensive option available to you. For the cost of a razor and shaving cream – you can have a clean bikini line in under ten minutes in the comforts of your own bathroom. But there is some reason behind why so many people look for alternatives to shaving. For starters, it just doesn’t last as long as other methods, and then there’s the potential for those dreaded god-awful razor bumps! I’m sorry, but there’s nothing more unsightly than a hot chick with a bumpy bikini line!

So here are some of my tried and true tips to getting the perfect bikini line shave and avoiding razor bumps!

1. Never shave dry skin!: 

I remember watching my dad shave as a young girl, I always made note of how he’d turn the hot water on in the shower, saturate his face with water and then lather up with his cream. The bathroom would have this sauna like effect but his face was always smooth as a babys bottom and he NEVER had razor bumps.  Allowing your skin to get wet enough, combined with the heat and moisture from the steam will open your pores – this creates a smoother shave, with no worries of bumps or nicks.

2. Exfoliate before shaving:

In many ways, shaving is a natural exfoliant. When you drag the razor across your skin, along with hair – you are also taking off dead skin cells. Do you seem to go through a lot of razors, getting just one or two good uses out of them? This could be one of the reasons behind that.  Using body brushes or gloves, gently exfoliate your skin while in the shower, before your shave. This will slough off all the dead skin. Be sure to focus on the areas that you’ll be shaving. Exfoliating before shaving leads to a more closer and smooth shave.

 

3.  Don’t be afraid to trim before hand:

Depending on how much of the bikini line you’ll be shaving, it may be a good idea to trim your pubic hairs first.  Invest in a pair of quality electric trimmers and use them to trim your hair down as low as possible. Now when you go to shave, your razor won’t get tangled in a bush of hair. You can purchase electric trimmers for as low as $19.99 from Walmart.

4.  Don’t keep your razors wet in the shower:

You may want to re-think  keeping your razor in a shower caddy or holding space in your shower. Remember, the blade of a razor is a thin metal and will rust very easily. When you’re done with your razor, put it in a place where it can completely dry – preserving the blades.

5. Don’t forget to moisturize:

Moisturizing after a shave is very important. I love using extra virgin olive oil to moisturize my entire body. It leaves my skin soft and supple.

Hair Removal Options: Bikini Wax

In preparation for the summer season, I’ve started researching the best and most long lasting hair removal options. We’ve discussed laser hair removal and the Brazilian bikini wax – next up is the standard bikini wax.

There are actually two types of “standard” bikini waxes, the American bikini wax and the French bikini wax. The American bikini wax  removes the hair at the “V” of the thigh and the top of the the pelvis. Then there is the French bikini wax, this method leaves a “landing strip” of hair right at the center of your pelvis.

Similar to the Brazilian method, hot waxes are used – so while it may be slightly uncomfortable – it isn’t nearly as painful as the Brazilian wax. Standard bikini waxes are also cheaper.

Here are some of the most popular questions (and their answers) when it comes to getting a bikini wax:

Q. What length does the hair on my body have to be to get a successful wax?

You should let your hair grow out a little so the wax has something to grab on to. If you have at least a 1/4″ growth of hair, you should get good results. That would be about a 2 to 3 week growth of hair, more or less depending on how your own hair grows. Some say this is the most uncomfortable part of the process; letting your hair grow and not shaving.

Q. Is there anything I need to know to prepare my skin for waxing?

You must have no sun exposure for the 48 hours prior to waxing. About 2 or 3 days before you come in for the waxing, lightly exfoliate the area to be waxed, using any exfoliator that you would typically use on your body. Don’t over-scrub, just as you would gently exfoliate your face. On the day of your waxing, be sure you thoroughly cleanse the area being waxed, but do not exfoliate, and do not apply any oils, lotions, powders, perfumes, etc.

Q. Does waxing hurt?

Well, we have to be honest here. Everyone has a different tolerance for pain, but the first time will hurt more than any other time. As you wax more regularly, you are removing less hair each time, and less hair means less discomfort. If pain or discomfort is a real concern for you, be sure to have a conversation with your esthetician before your waxing begins so that you can bring your concerns out in the open and receive some support. Please keep in mind that women should avoid waxing during their periods – the skin is most sensitive during this time. Avoid waxing any time your skin is under stress of any kind.

Q. Will I have to take my panties off when I get a bikini wax?

Your esthetician will have a disposable panty for you if you choose to be covered during your bikini line wax. Of course, estheticians are professionals and will treat you with respect. Before you begin the bikini waxing, discuss any confusion or discomfort you may be experiencing about the actual waxing procedure with your esthetician. You should agree beforehand on the bikini line you wish to wax so there are no mistakes made during the waxing to cause you and your esthetician discomfort. However, if at any time during the waxing you should become uncomfortable, you will want to stop the waxing and discuss your feelings with your esthetician. Don’t be afraid to seek out a different esthetician if you feel that you are not receiving professional treatment at all times.

Q. What about post-waxing skin care?

After each waxing appointment, give your skin a break. Stay out of the sun for at least 24 hours and do not climb into a tanning bed for at least 48 hours or more. Your skin is a bit stressed and will not like any alcohol based products, perfumes, lotions, powders, or oils. As a matter of fact, your skin will let you know in no uncertain terms that it wishes to be babied a little. Most any product you normally put on your skin will burn if you try to use it on your freshly waxed skin, so avoid these products for about a day or two.

Q. How long will I be able to go between waxings before I see hair growing in again?

It all depends on how fast your hair grows and if you are just starting your waxing routine. Some people may not be able to go longer than 2 weeks, while others can go as long as 6 weeks. However, the longer you have been on a regular waxing schedule, the longer each waxing will last. Hair grows in cycles which means it’s appearing at different intervals. Each time you wax, you are only removing the hair that’s made an appearance thus far; there are more hairs waiting underneath that will show up in the next few days. Because of that, it may take up to 3 waxing sessions to have all your hair growing in different intervals finally removed. So, your legs will probably not be smooth for about 3 waxing appointments. After that, you’ll notice that you will be able to go longer between waxings without seeing hair.

If you haven’t decided yet whether you should try waxing, you may want to ask yourself a few questions. When’s the last time you threw on a skirt or pair of shorts without worrying about the last time you shaved? Are you constantly sneaking a peek at your bikini bottoms trying to see if there’s anything peeking back at you? You may consider waxing as a way to finally relax and quit worrying and wondering whether or not anyone will notice you haven’t shaved. Getting rid of that razor, and razor burns, and cuts, is reason enough to call your esthetician and discuss the possibilities of waxing

Hair Removal Options: Laser Hair Removal

I don’t know about anyone else, but I get ridiculously lazy during the winter months when it comes down to maintaining my hair removal routines. I admittedly let my bikini line go weeks past it’s shaving due date and if I can get away with it, I do the same for my underarms and legs. But as we get closer to the start of the summer season, I gradually begin to fall back into a weekly routine of alternating days of shaving. It has truly become a draining process.

I’ve started researching some of the best and most long lasting hair removal techniques. I’ll share my findings with you over the next several days.

Hair Removal Options: Laser Hair Removal

In researching laser hair removal options, the very first thing that hit me was the cost. To begin, laser hair removal is a relatively new procedure that has very little side effects.Laser hair removal selectively targets the hair follicle under the surface of your skin.

 During the procedure, the doctor presses a special handheld laser device to the area of your skin being treated. The laser device emits pulses of laser beams. Each laser beam may sting a little, but a cooling gel will protect your skin from most of the laser beam, allowing it to pass through to the follicle. The light turns into heat once it has been absorbed by the skin, and this heat disables the follicle instantly. Because follicles are where hair growth originates, that follicle will no longer produce any regrowth.

Laser hair removal works by targeting the melanin in the hair follicles. The melanin is the pigment that turns hairs dark. Because of the way the laser targets the hair follicles, it works best on dark brown or black hairs. These colors are produced because there is more melanin in the hair follicle. A drawback of this method is that it is not usually effective on blonde hairs or fine “peach fuzz”. These hairs may completely regrow after treatment because the laser beam cannot disable the hairs follicle without enough melanin.

The hairs color and skin type are two main factors influencing the effectiveness of the procedure. For laser hair removal, ideal candidates are those with light skin and dark, course hairs. While older lasers could only be used with this combination, newer lasers are also effective on medium or darker skin tones, as well as slightly lighter hairs.

In order for you to achieve long lasting results, you will likely need several treatments. Now this is where it gets costly. One laser hair removal treatment can range from a low price of $300 to a high of $500. There are “affordable” options, however – affordable is all relative. With most experts suggesting anywhere
between three to six treatments, removing hair from your body using this method can be extremely expensive.

People often confuse laser hair removal with electrolysis – but they are actually pretty different techniques. Electrolysis can be a permanent solution to an unwanted hair problem. While it is one of many forms of hair removal, it is the only permanent method.

Using a tool called an ‘Epilator’ each individual hair is treated by inserting a tiny surgical probe into the hair follicle and directing an impulse of energy down to the root of the hair. The energy impulse causes localized damage to the area surrounding the hair. Electrolysis cannot be completed in one treatment, it is a weakening process. Each treatment causes the hairs directly treated, to die, but the energy impulse stimulates new hair growth directly around the area previously damaged.

 The new hair grows finer and thinner, so they are less noticeable. Each additional procedure will treat these new hairs until the growth stops completely. This is a very slow and exact process, but the time and care taken ensures permanent results. One downfall of electrolysis is that all technicians are not created equal. In other words electrolysis is only as good as the technician.

Using lasers to remove hair is safe for most areas of the body, including larger areas like the legs and back as well as smaller areas like the upper lip and bikini lines. Larger areas may take up to two hours, while smaller areas may take just ten or fifteen minutes.

Laser hair removal is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, and for good reason. As long as you choose a qualified and fully trained dermatologist, it is very safe. Other than redness and swelling, the risk of side effects is very low.