Women take an enormous sense of pride in their hair. Unfortunately this is limited to the hair on your head, which we all know is not the only area on your body that grows hair. Unsightly, unmanageable hair appears on everything from your arms to legs, your underarms, the sides of your face, back and even your upper lip. For some women, this isn't an issue, as the hair appears like peach fuzz, barely visible on the skin. For others, thicker, darker hair grows in, encroaching on areas we'd prefer to remain hairless. Hair removal is purely cosmetic as hair growth is natural and poses no health risks, but women everywhere still make valiant attempts to stay hair-free. There are many methods to hair removal with corresponding pros and cons to each, so when choosing a method that works for you, get familiar with your options.
Who Wears Short Shorts?
Chemical depilatories come in a variety of forms from gels to creams and even aerosols. Companies like Nair manufacture all types of depilatory products that are aimed to remove hair through a chemical process of breaking down the keratin bonds, making them easy to scrape off. This method is not suggested for facial use, but many women still prefer it to shaving as it eliminates the risk of nicks and cuts. Disadvantages include the pungent smell; results that don't last long and a risk of skin irritation as the chemicals also affect the keratin on the skin surface.
Wax On Wax Off
Waxing is a great way to remove hair from any area of the body. It allows you to remove a large amount of hair at a time and gives you long-lasting results, with hair re-growth occurring two to six weeks after treatment. Many women prefer waxing areas of the body that they'd prefer not take a razor to or areas that they would rather remain hair-free for longer, such as the upper lip or bikini area. The downside to waxing is, as we all know, the pain factor. Ingrown hairs are common and even bleeding can occur. Though strips of hot wax being pulled off your skin is not a pleasant experience, women still undergo this method of hair removal pretty regularly. Waxing can also be pricey, costing as much as $300 for the whole body.
Threading the Needle
The Middle Eastern technique of hair removal called threading has recently gained a lot of popularity in the West. It is similar to tweezing; only a thin strand of cotton is used to remove an entire row of hair at a time. It is typically used for the facial area, mainly the eyebrows, but it can be used on any area of the skin. Many consider this method painful as it plucks a large area of hair at a time, but because it gets the job done faster, it is grown in popularity.
No! No! Yes. Yes.
If going pain-free is an absolute must for you, than consider no!no!'s method of pulsing heat. I have to admit, when I heard about this product, I was a bit skeptical. It claims to crystallize the hair down to the root upon contact, which you then buffer off to create a smooth hairless surface. I have a friend who has struggled with removing her facial hair, or as she calls it, "Peach Fuzz Gone Wild." She says this product lives up to its pain-free claims and does reduce hair growth over time.
Again like I mentioned earlier, hair removal is not necessary. Life would be so much easier if we just embraced a hairy lifestyle, but alas, for many women and myself, we'd rather keep up the fight if it means we get silky, smooth skin in the end.
Asia Fujikake is an article writer for http://www.benevolenceinc.com/. BenevolenceInc.com aims to provide affordable, high-quality apparel and beauty products to intelligent, fashion-forward women. At least 50% of profits are donated to a Non-Profit Organization of the Month! Shop to Donate!
