Don't want to spend money to get a shaved, hair-free groin? Not too comfortable letting a stranger do that, but still want the hairs removed? No problem! In this article you will see that with some materials and a mirror, you can do this yourself at home! If you are a man, check out this article.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Using Commercial Products
Step 1. Buy a quality wax
You can even find depilatory waxes in supermarkets and pharmacies, but the variety in perfumeries is greater.
It's worth trying a roll-on electric device like the DepiRoll. The roll-on applicator allows you to spread an even layer over your skin
Step 2. Cut the depilatory strips into smaller pieces
They can be purchased (or come with the wax) or made at home. It is best to have strips of different sizes (ranging between 2, 5 and 5 cm).
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If you decide to make your own straps, look for an old T-shirt or cotton cloth. Cut into strips as you would any other material.
The advantage of homemade strips is that, if well washed and used with a water-soluble wax, they can be reused
Step 3. Clean the groin area to remove any residue covering the hair
This step is essential for the wax to stick well to the hair.
- Trim the hairs so that they are 0.5 to 1 cm long.
- Sprinkle baby powder on the areas to be waxed. Talc makes the wax stick to the hair, NOT the skin, which helps greatly to ease the pain.
- If you start to feel more pain, apply more talcum powder. Especially if you're in a warm place.
Step 4. Wipe away any remaining wax that sticks to your hands
For that, having a paper towel or cloth around always helps. For water-soluble waxes, a damp cloth is all good.
If you prefer, you can even moisten cotton balls with baby oil. In addition to removing excess wax, your skin will look smoother
Step 5. Start in the area near the navel and work your way down
Pass the wax in thin strips in the direction of hair growth.
- With one hand, stretch the skin well. Use paper towels to keep the skin from escaping.
- With the other hand, pull the strip against the direction of hair growth. By following these rules you feel less pain and get a better result.
- Avoid using too much wax, as this way the strips will end up without sticking to the hair.
- Place a mirror between your legs to see the parts that are not normally visible. A small mirror is enough.
Step 6. Continue epilation until you have removed most of the hair or until you are satisfied with the result
Due to the fact that the groin is a very sensitive area, it is likely that you will have to do more than one session to shave all your hair.
- Hair from one area will come off more easily than from another. This is because the thickness of the hair varies depending on the region. You may need to stop waxing if the area becomes too irritated and only start again when the skin is no longer so red.
- Instead of waxing the same place several times, use tweezers to pull out the most stubborn hairs.
Step 7. Wash the area
You may have wax remnants that are a little harder to remove.
- Use warm water and a soothing lotion.
- The redness is normal and will pass.
Method 2 of 2: Using homemade wax
Step 1. Gather the necessary materials
The recipe for sugar wax is simple, but getting the point right is an art. Become self-sufficient with the following recipe:
- 2 cups (400 g) of white sugar
- 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of lemon or orange juice (squeezed) or vinegar
- 3/4 cup (180 mL) of water
- Depilatory strips (sold in perfumeries or made with strips of cotton cloth or old T-shirt).
- Use a large stainless steel pot. If you're using an old pan, it's likely that small pieces of metal will end up floating in your wax.
Step 2. Mix ingredients in pan, using high heat
As soon as the mixture comes to a boil, lower the heat and leave on medium. Stir from time to time.
- Keep an eye on the pot! Undercooking can be fixed; but if you overcook it, that's it.
- If the mixture starts to boil again, lower the heat.
Step 3. Place the mixture in a clean container after it has caramelized
The wax should start out clear and turn a honey-brown color. As soon as it turns that color, take the pan off the heat.
- Getting the point right is a real art; it can take between 6 and 20 minutes. To check, put a butter knife into the mixture (don't touch the mixture, or you'll burn yourself!). Drain onto a saucer. If the mixture is thick and sticky like honey, it's ready.
- Another way to ensure the mixture is on point is to drop a drop into a glass of water. If the mixture instantly forms a ball, you're right.
- If the mixture is thin and you don't remember the wax you see in the salon at all, discard it (in the trash, not the sink) and start from scratch.
Step 4. Allow the wax to cool…but not too much
Let it get warm, but not so hot as to cause burns. To test the temperature of the wax, place the wax in a glass container and touch the glass lightly so it doesn't burn.
If the wax ends up cooling down too much, it will lose its grip on the skin. However, it can be reheated. You can place it in a microwave-safe container and heat it until it's malleable again
Step 5. Prepare the skin
This part is basic for the hair removal to work. Sprinkle talcum powder on the area to be shaved. Make sure the region is completely dry!
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As you shave, you may need to heat up the wax again or apply more talcum powder - which helps to make shaving less painful and to work around the situation if you start to sweat.
Pain tolerance is up to you. For some women, it's not really a problem. Don't let the pain stop you from shaving
Step 6. Apply the wax
You can do it with a butter knife. If it's too hot, wait a while. If it's too cold, you won't be able to get 100% of your hair out and will need to heat it up again.
- Apply in the hair direction. Try to cover about 0.5 to 1.2 cm before you start waxing; the mixture needs something to stick to, but if you apply too long it will be very difficult.
- Place a mirror between your legs so that you can see the bottom well.
Step 7. Pass the wax and place a strip on top
Wait for it to dry. Start in the area near the navel. Rub the strips into the wax a little to make sure it comes off completely.
- You can use purchased depilatory strips or make them at home using a cotton cloth or an old T-shirt. Homemade wax is water soluble and washable. Therefore, the strips can be used again if they are washed well immediately after use.
- The straps must be between 2, 5 and 5 centimeters. You can reserve the smaller ones to remove wax remains left by the larger ones or for more difficult places.
Step 8. Pull the straps fast
In order not to lose control of the process, do not load more than 2 strips at a time. Have you ever thought of cotton lint glued right there?
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Leave the strip on the skin for about 30 seconds (depending on size). After this time, quickly pull in the opposite direction of the hair growth.
The faster the better. So you feel pain for less time
- Repeat the procedure until all hair is removed.
Step 9. Clean the shaved skin area after you finish
If your skin is sensitive, use a soothing lotion (such as aloe vera, chamomile, or calendula). A tweezers help to pull out the occasional hair that's left.
Remember that the wax, being made from sugar, is very difficult to clean after it hardens. Therefore, the best thing to do is to clean up all the hair removal mess as soon as possible
Tips
- If it's your first time doing a hair removal yourself, don't expect perfect results - after all, you're not a professional, and experience is needed for good results. After a few sessions, the hair gets thinner and less, which helps a lot.
- Wash your hands thoroughly before starting the process. It's not mandatory, but it's recommended.
- Press on your skin immediately after pulling the strip - this will help ease the pain.
- Because the hairs in this area are thicker, removing them can cause some bleeding. To prevent infections, clean the area with alcohol after you finish.
- You can also use baby wipes that contain antiseptics to clean the area instead of alcohol. The Kleenex brand offers good products.
- Instead of pulling the strip up in a straight motion, pull it forward, trying to keep the strip as close to the skin as possible.
Notices
- Do not use shavers on hair that is not removed with the wax, as it will hurt a lot!
- Do not use the wax if your hairs are longer than 0.5cm, as this will not only hurt a lot, but it will likely hinder their removal. If so, cut them out before applying any wax. Professionals cut the thick hair in about 1cm and the thinnest, 0.5cm.
- Test the temperature of the wax before applying it to your skin.
- Pre-depilatory oil makes a big difference in terms of pain, they are highly recommended. Depilsam's is very good.
- If you don't get all your hair out at once and finish it later, it's best to wait a day or two for the skin to return to normal and not get too irritated.
- It is not recommended that you do this alone if this is the first time your groin has been shaved, as it will be more painful in the beginning and a professional can do a better job faster and save you a lot of pain.
- It is recommended that you do not do this alone unless you have been trained. In some cases, inexperienced epilators take away skin patches and/or cause bleeding.