he average woman has around 11,000 hairs on her legs and 2,500 under her arms – here’s how to find the best method for you to get rid of them!
BLEACHING
What you need: Bleach cream
What it does: Uses lightening ingredients to disguise hair
Where: Face and lower arms
Lasts: Up to two months
Pain factor: Nil – unless you leave it on too long
Insider tip: Never bleach immediately after using skin products containing alpha-hydroxy acids because this can cause scarring
How: Wash the area to make sure there is no makeup on your skin that could react with the chemicals in the bleach. Apply as directed and for as long as stated. Wash off.
TWEEZING
What you need: Tweezers
What they do: Pull the hair out at the root
Where: Best for eyebrows
Lasts: Four to six weeks
Pain factor: It hurts a little, but applying ice before you pluck will numb the pain.
Insider Tip: or the best results, choose tweezers with flat, slanted tips rather than pointed ones – they grasp hair better and are less likely to scratch your skin.
How: Quickly and in the direction of hair growth.
SHAVING
What you need: Razor
What it does: Cuts the hair at the surface of the skin
Where: Underarms and legs – bikini lines and facial hair are not really appropriate for shaving because the hair grows back blunt, making it noticeable on the face and itchy on the bikini line.
Lasts: One to two days
Pain factor: Nil unless you slip, but using a single-blade razor minimizes the risk of cuts
Insider Tip: Use hair conditioner instead of soap – it doesn’t dehydrate your skin.
How: Soak in the bath for two to three mins before you shave to expand the hair follicles, giving a closer and longer-lasting shave. Apply shaving cream then shave upward, then downward. Rinse and moisturize.
DEPILATORY CREAM
What you need: A cream formulated for the area you’re going to treat
What it does: Uses chemicals to dissolve the hair just below the skin’s surface
Where: Anywhere
Lasts: Two to three weeks
Pain factor: Nil – though they can smell pretty horrid
Insider Tip: Apply a little soya milk after you’ve removed the cream – ingredients called sernine protease inhibitors stop hair growth and keep you smoother longer.
How: So simple. Apply as directed, wait as long as stated, and shower off. Avoid hot water and perfumed products on the area for at least 3 hours after application to reduce the risk of irritation.
WAXING / SUGARING
What you need: Prepared wax strips: hot wax used with cloth or sugaring solution (usually made with sugar or lemon and honey)
What it does: Pulls the hair out at the root
Lasts: Four to six weeks
Pain factor: Pretty high, especially around your bikini line. Taking a mild painkiller like aspirin helps.
Insider tip: Start waxing in winter – hair must be at least 1/8 inch thick to be waxed properly and you’re less likely to be noticed in the winter months. Also, as each waxing thins hair, the regrowth will be less noticable when the summer months arrive.
How: Apply talc to soak up skin oils, which prevent the wax from sticking. Apply wax strips or hot wax and cloth. Leave for 3 seconds and then pull quickly up in the direction of hair growth. Remove excess wax with warm water and avoid perfumed products for 48 hours.
Sorry this was so long – I figured I would tell you everything I know on hair removal. I didn’t include laster treatments because I myself dislike the procedure. Way too expensive for me…
Good luck!