As women, we invest many hours of time waxing, plucking, shaving and zapping unwanted hair from every inch of our bodies, so unless you’re going to implore the ‘French’ approach to visible hair anytime soon, the time is ripe to consider the right hair removal option to suit your lifestyle, skin and hair type.
by Anna McDougall
Shaving Myths Debunked
Shaving is the most popular method of hair removal for women but there are lots of misconceptions out there about shaving being bad for your skin. Shaving, while not only being easy, assures woman that they can be fully groomed at all times, with the outcome of hair-free, smooth and silky skin.
Before you pick up your razor, it is worthwhile understanding the truth about shaving and important to differentiate between myth and fact.
Myth: The age at which you begin to shave influences the amount of hair you will have on your legs and underarms.
Fact: These factors are determined strictly by heredity. Early experiences with shaving coincide with the natural increase in hair growth resulting from puberty.
Myth: Shaving promotes darker, thicker or faster re-growth of hair on legs and underarms.
Fact: Since shaving removes hair on the surface of the skin, it doesn’t affect the colour or the thickness of the hair. After an area has been shaved, the hair shafts start to emerge from the follicle, so your hair looks and feels coarse and bristly. If you allow the hair to grow out, it will take on its original appearance and texture.
Myth: A tan can be removed by shaving.
Fact: Tanning occurs at the lower levels of your skin, where the skin’s pigment cells are located. Razor blades never come in contact with these cells. Shaving can actually “polish” your skin and give it a healthy glow. You’ll improve the look of your tan by removing flaky surface skin cells that give your skin a dull appearance.
Hair Removal Methods
There are a number of ways to get rid of our unwanted furry friends and it’s no secret that some methods are better suited to different parts of your body than others. Here’s how to decide the best method to eliminate hair most effectively.
1. Shaving
Why? Shaving, the most common form of hair removal for us ladies is quick, convenient, cheap and easy. On the down side, shaving cuts the hair off at the skin’s surface so stubble develops quickly
Where? Shaving is great for your underarms, and especially legs. Be careful of ingrown hairs if you venture to shave your bikini area. Never shave your chin, eyebrows or upper lip!
Pain Factor – Relatively pain free, just make sure you soap or foam up appropriately to aviod nasty nicks.
For best results try the Schick Hydro Silk Razor that includes hydrating water-activated moisturising serum for silky smooth pins as well as, 5 Curve-Sensing Blades great for tricky areas like your knees.
RRP $14.25 available from Woolworths, Coles, Priceline and pharmacies nationally.
2. Laser Hair Removal
Why? Lasers work best on dark hair, light skin because the laser targets melanin which is found in dark hair. You’ll need 5-6 treatments spaced four weeks apart, depending on the area you are getting lasered.
Where? Anywhere and everywhere! Great for bikini line, upper lip and underarm hair to get rid of them once and for all!
Pain Factor – A pulsed light from the laser can feel like a rubber band snapping your skin. Some areas of the skin are more painful then others and it varies from person to person. Your upper lip may be a mere tickle while an area like your underarms might take getting used to – nothing that can’t be tolerated of course!
Laser hair removal may not suit everyone’s budget, but think of all the money you’ll save in the long run on waxes! Definitely a great investment.
Find a reputable laser hair clinic from Rescu’s Hair Removal directory!
3. Waxing
Why? Yep, we’ve all been there, be it a monthly, fortnightly or weekly ritual, they application of hot sticky wax to the skin to rid hair in an instant is another common hair removal method.
Where? Waxing is great for your eyebrows to shape them to perfection. Waxing also suits bikini line, underarms, legs and well, just about anywhere!
Pain Factor – It can be an alarming feeling as hair is being ripped from their very roots, but they will grow back thinner and will be less painful every time you go to the salon – we promise!
Thinking of trying for your self?
Parissa have a great options in DIY waxing like the Parissa Microwaveable Warm Wax. A hair remover with premium strips that eliminates coarse & stubborn hair for ultra-smooth results up to 6 weeks for face and body.
Not only do Parissa offer a wide range of waxing options for every hair you can think of, but they seriously know their waxing, so before you dive in the deep end, or simply want to brush up on your skills, head to their website for a library of instructional videos.
Parissa’s Self Waxing Tips:
For your first time, let your hair grow to about 1/4″ (1/2 cm) long.
Avoid waxing irritated, or extremely sensitive skin.
Avoid waxing skin heavily treated with Retin A, Accutane, or anti-wrinkle creams.
Avoid waxing over moles or warts or severe varicose veins.
Avoid heavy sun exposure immediately before or after waxing.
RRP: $12.95 available from Priceline
4. Tweezing
Why? A great little tool to keep in your purse for the odd hair, or grooming on the go. Invest in a good pair, cheap ones just won’t do the job!
What? Great for strays or pesky one offs in the facial region, mainly the eyebrows. But don’t tweeze too much or you’ll lose the natural shape of your brows!
Pain Factor – Pin pricks of pain that just takes getting used to, it will become second nature after a while and you won’t notice a thing.
Rescu. loves the Tweezerman for Benefit Slanted Tweezer, sharp, effective and with a handy slant design.
RRP: $49 available from Benefit counters nationally
Hair Removal Cream
Why? Pain free, quick and easy, just apply, rinse off and you’re good to go!
What? Highly recommended for sensitive skin, especially legs.
Pain Factor – 0 pain!
Rescu. recommends the Nair Spa Clay Shower Power Hair Removal Cream that effectively removes hair in three minutes (i.e. the length of your shower!) The water-resistant technology allows the Shower Power Cream to stay on while you shower and dissolve when you’re ready to rinse it away.
$14.99 is available from Woolworths, Coles, Big W, Kmart, Priceline and pharmacies nationally
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