Tired of excess hair on your face and body, but hate the pain, cost and wasted time required to shave with a razor? Fear not -- there are several ways to get rid of hair without going near a blade. Depending on the quality of the fur and the expected result, any one of these choices could be right for you, so educate yourself about them today to know what to do!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Everyday Solutions
Step 1. Use a depilatory cream
Depilatory creams are designed to remove hairs by dissolving them on the skin's surface. These products usually come in lotion form or in bottles like shampoo, and are sold in pharmacies at relatively low prices. If you use this method, check the ingredients when you purchase to make sure you are not sensitive to them. Remember to follow the label directions.
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Pros:
it doesn't hurt and it's easy to use.
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Cons:
needs frequent use (hair grows at normal speed). It may have a bad smell.
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Grades:
for best results, apply after showering when hair is soft. Do not use body products on your face - they can contain harsh chemicals..
Step 2. Try the removal pads
Another useful product for getting rid of unwanted hair is the removal pad. This product basically works like a portable polish: you rub the coarse surface against the skin in quick, short strokes, applying moderate pressure, thus removing the hair. The area the pad works on at a time is small, making this method best for small tufts of hair.
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Pros:
does not hurt when used correctly and does not cause irritation from aftershave.
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Cons:
it takes time.
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Grades:
this product will wear away the skin, leaving it gray. A good idea is to apply a lotion in sequence to rehydrate her. Wash and dry pads after use.
Step 3. Try line hair removal
This method of hair removal, which originated centuries ago in Turkey, is gaining popularity around the world. When someone has unwanted hair, the professional uses a cotton thread to loop the hair, twisting it for removal. With this technique, it is possible to remove a good amount of hair relatively quickly – 15 minutes for eyebrows is considered a good time.
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Pros:
less aggressive than wax, being recommended for sensitive skin. It lasts for several weeks.
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Cons:
may hurt, is most useful on flat surfaces (joints are not recommended) and cannot be performed at home.
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Grades:
take the time to find a reputable professional. It can make the process a lot less painful.
Step 4. Try using tweezers
The tweezers are an old and reliable tool that allows you to pick up and pull out unwanted items individually. This relatively painful process is usually reserved for removing new hairs a few at a time – more than that, it can be difficult to bear.
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Pros:
it's a precise method; allows you to remove exactly the desired hairs, one at a time.
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Cons:
painful and time consuming unless you wanted to remove just a few hairs. Also, it can cause mild irritation in some people.
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Grades:
wash the tweezers before and after use. See the article How to Avoid Ingrown Hairs with Tweezing Hair Removal for information on how to minimize irritation during sessions.
Step 5. Try waxing
This famous hair removal method has a frightening reputation, but it's usually not as bad as they say. Wax is great for removing stubborn hair from legs, underarms, bikini area and face (when applied gently and carefully). This method is also useful for people with thick, black hair that contrasts with fair skin. Waxing can be done by professionals or with hair removal kits found in cosmetic stores.
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Pros:
removes a lot of hair relatively quickly and lasts for several weeks.
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Cons:
painful, although the pain subsides after the first time. Also, it's hard to do at home. Professionals can be a little expensive.
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Grades:
if applying by yourself, always apply wax in the direction of hair growth and pull in the opposite direction. Follow the directions on the package, especially with regard to heating the wax.
Step 6. Try the sugar method
This method of hair removal works in much the same way as a wax – a thick liquid mixture is applied to the skin and pulled off with a cloth after a period of rest. The difference is in the ingredients of the mixture: unlike wax, a mixture of sugar, lemon juice and water is used, creating a consistency of honey. This creates a less aggressive product for some people's skin (especially those with allergies).
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Pros:
removes lots of hair quickly, lasts for several weeks, has less risk of allergies/irritations and can be done at home (carefully).
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Cons:
pain similar to waxing, although it decreases after the first time. Hard to do at home and professionals can be expensive.
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Grades:
see How to Make a Sugar Paste for Hair Removal for a homemade recipe and instructions for use.
Step 7. Try an epilator
An epilator is a device that works more or less like a set of automatic tweezers, pulling wires with mechanical grips. However, unlike tweezers, epilators only pull the hair -- not the surrounding skin -- which makes the process less painful for some. These devices are very versatile as they work relatively quickly and can be used on various parts of the body, in addition to maintaining reasonable levels of pain.
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Pros:
removes a lot of hair quickly, lasts several weeks, is faster than using hand tweezers, and is gentler on the skin.
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Cons:
a little painful, although it is reduced after the first use. Requires little maintenance/cleaning.
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Grades:
if you can, get a waterproof epilator and remove the hairs during the shower, when they are softer and easier to come off.
Method 2 of 2: Permanent Solutions
Step 1. Consider laser hair removal
This method is one of the most common cosmetic procedures today. In it, a highly concentrated beam of light strikes individual hair follicles, destroying them. Hair usually stops growing almost permanently after three to seven sessions.
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Pros:
fast and relatively painless. Widely available due to its popularity.
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Cons:
it causes pain and redness similar to a sunburn for several days. Blisters, temporary discoloration, and other more unpleasant side effects are possible, but rare.
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Grades:
treated hair falls out in about a month, not immediately. Sunscreen is generally recommended to protect the treated area.
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Cost:
varies depending on the aesthetic clinic.
Step 2. Consider electrolysis
In an electrolysis, a thin, small probe is used to destroy follicles with a short radio wave. Afterwards, the hair itself is removed with tweezers. This method creates almost permanent hair loss after several sessions. Electrolysis is suitable for most parts of the body.
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Pros:
usually the discomfort is minor. Few short sessions.
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Cons:
can cause temporary pain and redness.
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Grades:
look for a trusted and certified expert. A poorly performed procedure can cause even more pain.
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Cost:
varies depending on the clinic.
Step 3. Understand that even these methods can allow some hair growth
Unfortunately, at the moment, there is no truly "permanent" hair removal method. Even though the above techniques "can" permanently eliminate hair growth, the results will never be 100%. After a few years, there may be some growth, so "touch-up" sessions may be necessary. Keep this in mind when making your decision.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor before looking for a "permanent" solution
Even though both laser hair removal and electrolysis are considered to be safe when performed by a professional, there is a small (but real) chance of danger. For example, in some isolated cases, individuals who have used excessive amounts of numbing cream for laser treatment have experienced severe symptoms.
For this reason, it is crucial to discuss these procedures with your doctor before undergoing them. Only the professional can tell you with certainty which treatments (if any) are safe and appropriate for you
Tips
- With all of the above methods, it is best to exfoliate your skin regularly to reduce the risk of ingrown hairs.
- When testing a method such as wax for the first time, apply it to a small, barely visible area until you master the technique.
Notices
- Pay attention to the way the skin reacts to the product used. If you develop a rash, itching or redness, discontinue use.
- Be conservative with permanent and semi-permanent solutions such as using wax, especially on highly visible areas such as the face. It is always possible to repeat the hair removal if a spot goes unnoticed, but it is impossible to magically put the hair back once it has been removed.