Kaboutjie SA Mommy Blogs by Lynne Huysamen
Some women like to leave all their body hair natural without removing any hair, but most women like to remove some of their body hair while some women like to remove all body hair other than their eyelashes and hair on their heads. There are many ways to remove hair and some hair removal methods are better suited to certain parts of the body.
Hair removal is a very personal choice so there is not one method that will suit all women, to find the best hair removal method for yourself you will need to research the pros and cons for each method and experiment with the ones that sound like they will be a good option for you. You may find that you choose different methods for different parts of your body, this is very common.
Here are the hair removal methods for women with their pros and cons:
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Shaving
Shaving is one of the most popular hair removal methods for women. Shaving involves removing the hair with a razor. This method is so popular because it is cheap, easy and convenient. You can buy a razor and blades from most stores, or you can get yourself an electric razor which will be a lot more expensive but it will last a much longer time. You can choose between buying a razor that has replaceable blades or buying disposable razors.
Shaving is done at home and it is very quick which makes it convenient. You can shave your legs, underarms and bikini areas.
Most women choose not to shave any hair on their faces, however there are some women that swear by it. If you do choose to shave your facial hair remember to be very careful since your skin on your face has lots of blood vessels, so don’t press hard. For facial shaving you need to shave in the direction of your hair growth which is the opposite of when you shave your legs.
One of the downsides of shaving is that it does not last long. You will need to shave every one to three days to keep yourself hair free.
If you are shaving it is best when the hair has been softened in water for a few minutes before shaving. Shave your armpits and legs against your hair growth. For the bikini area shave horizontally from the outside to the inside. Using soap, shaving cream or shaving gel will help you get a better shave.
Make sure to moisturize your legs after shaving as they will dry out very quickly after shaving. Avoid using any antiperspirant or deodorant immediately after shaving your armpits to avoid your armpits stinging painfully and becoming irritated. Rather shave your armpits at night and use deodorant in the morning.
Epilator
An epilator is an electrical device that plucks multiple hairs out simultaneously. The downside to epilation is that it can be painful, especially when you first start, however the more you do it the less it hurts.
If you use an epilator regularly over time your hair regrowth becomes less and your hair will become thinner.
It is best to find an epilator that can be used dry and wet so you can use it in the shower since warm water helps to loosen your hair follicles making the process much easier. Read some reviews to find the best epilators to choose from.
Exfoliation will help to keep your skin clear from ingrown hairs. Your hair needs to be at least 0.5mm to effectively use an epilator.
An epilator is also quick, easy and convenient since you can use it from your home any time you need to remove hair. It is also cost effective since once you buy the epilator you can use it for a long time to come.
The effects of using an epilator will usually last around 4 weeks which makes it an appealing option over shaving which has to be done more often.
Waxing
Waxing means using applying cold or hot wax to the area before removing it with a strip. Like epilation, waxing removes the hair from the root.
Waxing can be very painful, especially if you do it on sensitive areas like your bikini area.
You can buy wax kits and do your own waxing at home, or you can have it done professionally. It is highly recommended to have it done professionally if you have never waxed before. Start off with the less sensitive areas first such as your legs so that you can prepare yourself and know what you are in for before trying any more sensitive areas.
As with using an epilator, exfoliating your skin regularly will help to keep your skin looking smooth and free from ingrown hairs if you wax. Your hair must be about 6.5mm in length before you wax for it to be effective.
Waxing can last up to six weeks and it is highly effective for all areas, which makes this a great option if you can get past the pain factor.
Hair Removal Cream
Depilatory cream (hair removal cream) breaks down the hair so that it can be washed away. It is the least painful method and it is perfect for reaching hair in hard to reach places, as well as for large areas.
It is simple to use – all you do is fully cover the areas with cream and wait until the time specified in the instructions before washing the cream (and hair away).
The hair is removed to just below the surface of the skin and regrowth can occur after two to three days. If you use this method regularly you will need to buy hair removal cream often so this is not the most cost effective method available.
Make sure to do a small test patch when trying out a new hair removal cream to check if you have any allergic reaction before attempting to remove any hair.
Laser Treatment/ IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)
IPL is a skin treatment that is used to treat many things, including hair removal. The light of the laser is targeted at the pigment of the hair, damaging the follicle and making it unable to continue to grow.
Laser treatment for hair removal reduces hair growth does not completely stop it. It is however considered the most long term solution to hair removal.
Laser hair removal does hurt but not nearly as much as waxing. To have laser treatment done you need to shave beforehand. You need to have no hair above the skin, but you do need to have a hair bulb in the follicle for it to work. You will need multiple sessions to achieve good results. Laser hair removal is not a fast process, but over time you will begin to see results.
It is important to note that IPL will not work for every combination of skin and hair type. In order for IPL to work the hair should be darker than the skin colour so that the IPL targets the hair and not the skin. It is not suitable for women with naturally dark skin tones.
You can do laser hair removal at home or at a salon. It is quite a costly affair to have multiple sessions over time at a salon. If you purchase a home IPL machine you will be able to achieve results at a much lower price and from the comfort of your own home.
If you plan on doing your own laser hair removal at home make sure to properly research the process and to carefully follow the manufacturer’s instruction regarding use, as well as the information provided regarding skin and hair color.
Three years ago I chose an epilator as one of my preferred gift options in the Clicks gift guide, so my hubby bought me one.
I’ve used it once and only on a small section. It was so painful especially on the lower part of my legs. Or maybe I’m just don’t have a high pain threshold. I’ll have a look if it is a dry and wet epilator. Using it in the shower sounds like a better option and maybe less painful.
After all these years I still prefer shaving because disposable razors are cheap and I find this the quickest way. The only problem is that you have to shave at least every third day in order to avoid looking like a cave women.
I’ve tried using a hair removal cream once, but it was not ideal because of my eczema. It itched so badly. I never tried it again. I’m not sure if you get a hair removal cream that is for people with sensitive skin or eczema. A hair removal cream is probably a lot faster and effective than shaving. I’ll have to do a bit of searching.
I have been a fan of epilation for many years now. I try to avoid shaving. Of course, there are the odd times when I have to make use of the good old fashion razor, like shaving and showering in the same time to save some time when I am late to meet up with a friend and I am desperate to wear my new dress for the night. But usually, instead of good old shaving, I epilate.
Years ago, the idea of using epilators for women would just make me cringe. I was, like many girls probably, terrified at the idea of having a machine ripping the hair out of my skin. Ouch! Far from me was the idea that one day, I would start religiously using epilators over shavers!