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Hair Be
Gone: A Critical Look at At-Home Hair Removal
Options
 Smooth,
silky, sexy… hairless. In most cases, society
and relationships dictate that barely there and
very little hair are the ways to achieve the
ultimate in sexiness. But when it comes to
ridding our bodies of unwanted hair, what is the
best approach?
Shaving seems to be the
standby of all time, with quick whisks of the
blade in the shower solving our problems oh-so
temporarily. Lotion hair removers like Nair and
Sally Hansen brand depilatories make a lot of
promises but don’t always produce the results
they pledge. At-home waxing kits can be very
time consuming, but if executed properly, you
can be hair-free for weeks if not months.
Your personal needs will best determine which
method of hair removal is right for you.
Consider the following product report cards,
featuring the pros and cons, risks and efficacy.
Shaving
Costs: Inexpensive,
but it adds up over time. Razors and shaving
cream; $5 - $10 per month or less.
Time Required:
Anywhere from five minutes to a half-hour or
more
Results Last: One to three days; Results
vary from person to person. I personally shave
every day because the hair typically tends to
grow back by the end of a 24-hour period.
Risks: The only real risks involve
nicking your skin by shaving carelessly. If deep
enough, those nicks may cause scarring.
Pros: Inexpensive, fairly easy to do, no
true dangers involved, generally very effective
– even if only temporarily
Cons: Results don’t last very long. It
becomes frustrating when you have to shave every
day or suffer with stubbly legs, etc. If you get
goose bumps, watch out! Stubble is sure to
follow.
Lotion Hair Removal
Costs: Typically
less than $10, possibly less than $5
Time Required: 10 minutes to a half-hour,
possibly longer
Results Last: I have not been successful
in achieving favorable results as of yet.
According to those who have achieved success
with such depilatories, results may last longer
than shaving.
Risks: Irritation, allergic reaction,
chemical burns, possible lack of results; Follow
directions very closely to avoid problems.
Pros: If it works, it is a nice
alternative to shaving because it minimizes the
risk of nicks and cuts. Also, depilatories can
produce results that last longer than shaving if
effective.
Cons: Takes longer than shaving. Doesn’t
always produce proper results. Can cause
irritation or damage to skin, especially small
red bumps along the hair follicles. Often
carries an unpleasant odor.
Waxing
Costs: Moderate in
price; Costs do add up over time. At-home waxing
kits typically cost anywhere from $5 to $20+
each.
Time Required: HOURS – No kidding, but
try to split up the areas of your body and apply
the wax on different days if you are doing an
at-home waxing. In other words, don’t try to wax
your legs, bikini line and underarms all in the
same day unless you want a headache!
Results Last: Results last anywhere from
three weeks to two months, depending on the
effectiveness of the treatment.
Risks: Waxing doesn’t carry too many
risks with it; women applying this hair removal
treatment should be careful not to burn
themselves by heating the wax at too high a
temperature. Also, be sure to test the wax on a
small area prior to use in case of allergic
reaction.
Pros: What a nice change from shaving!
Waxing prevents stubble from coming through
until the hairs physically grow back. Smoothness
and silkiness endure, leaving your body
hair-free and super sexy. At-home treatments are
moderately priced and well worth the time it
takes to perform the procedure.
Cons: The time involved to remove hair
can be tiresome, but it was well worth it to me.
Sometimes the wax can be difficult to handle,
and at times it doesn’t effectively remove all
the hair. Frequent trips to the microwave to
reheat the wax become annoying.
By Kathryn M. D'Imperio
 .....
Skin & Body
Also See:
Healthy
Nails..... |
