The hair removal technique you use depends on a variety of factors. We offer a handy guide to make the process easier.
You love everything about your appearance – you are beautiful, have a fit body and own an enviable collection of clothes and make-up. You make heads turn wherever you go, and many women secretly want to be like you.
But maintaining your appearance takes a lot of work, and most of your time is devoted to ensuring that you have smooth, hairless skin. This entails frequent visits to the salon for waxing and threading appointments. Though you love the results of these treatments, you wish that you had more time to devote to salon visits. Sometimes, not having the time to get your arms and legs waxed can force you to wear long sleeved shirts and trousers instead of sleeveless tops and skirts.
An even bigger area of concern in hair removal is damaging the skin and causing trauma using the wrong technique. If you don’t want to inadvertently cause damage via hair removal, consider the following checklist:
* Your skin quality makes a difference. Sensitive skin is more prone to breakouts and localised trauma than other skin types. If you bruise easily or if the skin develops angry red patches after waxing, you may have sensitive skin. You should consider depilatory creams instead of waxing.
* Shaving is a strict ‘no’ for certain reasons. Though shaving is extremely convenient, it causes more problems for the skin than you realise. The razor blades strip away the essential layer of moisture on the skin, making it dry. Next, it causes ingrowth of hair in many cases, which looks unsightly. Shaving also makes the hair grow out in a coarse stubble for at least two days after the hair removal. Besides, the possibility of injury from cuts is higher.
* Use products that are safe for you. The hair removal product you use – hot or cold wax or depilatory cream – must contain skin-friendly ingredients. Check the product composition to rule out substances that are allergenic or which cause rashes or breakouts on your skin. If you are unsure about which product to pick, show a few samples to your dermatologist before you proceed.
* Waxing is not recommended for the face. Though many salons use waxing strips on your upper lip, eyebrows and sideburns, waxing on the face makes the skin flaccid. Over time, you will notice that the skin becomes loose and dull. You might also develop ingrowth on the sides of your face. Threading off the excess hair is acceptable, as is using depilatory creams meant for the face. Be sure to use a moisturiser afterwards.
* You must prep your skin before hair removal. Whatever the technique you use, there is a preparatory process to follow before you begin. For instance, you must apply cooling pads on the skin to numb it before applying waxing strips. When shaving, you must wash the skin with a loofah and shower gel to make the hair softer and smoother. When using depilatory creams, you must soften the skin by soaking in warm water for five minutes. Not prepping the skin adequately can cause surface tears and trauma.
You love everything about your appearance – you are beautiful, have a fit body and own an enviable collection of clothes and make-up. You make heads turn wherever you go, and many women secretly want to be like you.
But maintaining your appearance takes a lot of work, and most of your time is devoted to ensuring that you have smooth, hairless skin. This entails frequent visits to the salon for waxing and threading appointments. Though you love the results of these treatments, you wish that you had more time to devote to salon visits. Sometimes, not having the time to get your arms and legs waxed can force you to wear long sleeved shirts and trousers instead of sleeveless tops and skirts.
An even bigger area of concern in hair removal is damaging the skin and causing trauma using the wrong technique. If you don’t want to inadvertently cause damage via hair removal, consider the following checklist:
* Your skin quality makes a difference. Sensitive skin is more prone to breakouts and localised trauma than other skin types. If you bruise easily or if the skin develops angry red patches after waxing, you may have sensitive skin. You should consider depilatory creams instead of waxing.
* Shaving is a strict ‘no’ for certain reasons. Though shaving is extremely convenient, it causes more problems for the skin than you realise. The razor blades strip away the essential layer of moisture on the skin, making it dry. Next, it causes ingrowth of hair in many cases, which looks unsightly. Shaving also makes the hair grow out in a coarse stubble for at least two days after the hair removal. Besides, the possibility of injury from cuts is higher.
* Use products that are safe for you. The hair removal product you use – hot or cold wax or depilatory cream – must contain skin-friendly ingredients. Check the product composition to rule out substances that are allergenic or which cause rashes or breakouts on your skin. If you are unsure about which product to pick, show a few samples to your dermatologist before you proceed.
* Waxing is not recommended for the face. Though many salons use waxing strips on your upper lip, eyebrows and sideburns, waxing on the face makes the skin flaccid. Over time, you will notice that the skin becomes loose and dull. You might also develop ingrowth on the sides of your face. Threading off the excess hair is acceptable, as is using depilatory creams meant for the face. Be sure to use a moisturiser afterwards.
* You must prep your skin before hair removal. Whatever the technique you use, there is a preparatory process to follow before you begin. For instance, you must apply cooling pads on the skin to numb it before applying waxing strips. When shaving, you must wash the skin with a loofah and shower gel to make the hair softer and smoother. When using depilatory creams, you must soften the skin by soaking in warm water for five minutes. Not prepping the skin adequately can cause surface tears and trauma.