Top Ten Hair Removal Tips
By Shweta Govindarajan
It’s 4:30 in the afternoon, you’ve just run your hand over your legs,
and there it is — the tiny, prickly, unmistakable beginnings of stubble.
And your last shave was only a few hours ago. Hair removal is a
complicated and frustrating process, and one that gets little attention
compared to other mainstream beauty issues. And for many South Asian women,
who often feel the most afflicted, hair removal is more than a chore –
it’s an obsession.
The truth is there’s no hard and fast method that works for everyone –
and there aren’t too many ways to stop hair growth permanently without
spending a good chunk of change. But there are general guidelines to
help steer you down the right path. Consider trying different methods
to see what works the best, and take heart – you’re not the only one
struggling with hair removal!
1. Know Your Enemy
Assess the areas of your body that need attention to figure out which
part responds best to what treatment. For instance, threading works
great on eyebrows, sideburns, and cheeks but could be an ouch-inducing
experience on larger areas like your arms and legs. Waxing might work
like a charm on your legs but can cause breakouts on your face. Different
areas respond differently to each treatment, so be open to switching it
up or trying something new, just as long as it’s safe. And remember,
just because it worked for your friends doesn’t mean it’s the right
method for you.
2. Know Thyself
Not all skin is created equally, as those with sensitive skin know all
too well. Plucking, threading, waxing, depilatories – each option has
its merits, and its dangers. Pay attention to what happens immediately
and in the few days after your removal treatment and make changes or
adjustments accordingly. Nair, a chemical lotion to get rid of unwanted
hair, can burn your skin, even if you’ve used it before with no
problem. For the complete skinny on hair removal methods check out
Hairfacts.com, maintained by a Chicago-based journalist who has compiled
a virtual database of tips and research to help you make the right decisions.
3. Rough Road Ahead
For those of us unlucky enough to have to deal with troubled and hairy
skin, hair removal is even trickier. Acne medications can make skin
more sensitive and susceptible to irritation, and dermatologists have
been known to deem facial waxing off-limits for women undergoing acne
treatment because wax strips can peel off a layer of skin along with the
hair. Some South Asian women have turned to threading as a friendlier
solution, but it could be more painful, and improper technique can cause
tiny cuts in delicate eye and cheek areas.
4. Don’t Make It Harder
Be smart, don’t use shortcuts, and work with your body, not against it.
Try plucking after you’ve showered – the heat opens your pores and
makes it easier, and possibly less painful, to yank out those stray hairs.
A warm washcloth applied to your face also does the trick. Avoid dry
shaving at all costs, even if it takes a few extra minutes to apply a
lubricant. Not only can your skin feel itchy and irritated afterward,
but you also raise the risk of cutting yourself – not a pretty sight if
your post-shave plan involves a skirt. (Beauty magazines recommend
shaving your legs and underarms with hair conditioner for an extra
moisturizing boost.) And be religious about changing your razors often and
making sure your tweezers have a precise tip – with blunt tweezers or an
old, dull blade, you might as well take the hair off with a rusty butter
knife.
5. Period Blues
A common feeling among women is that the approach of your period makes
nerve endings hypersensitive, throwing the doorway to pain wide open.
For those women who have a lower pain threshold, it might be a good
idea to be cautious in the days leading up to your period when it comes to
hair removal. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, but knowing when to stay
away from the salon could make it easier on you.
6. Take the Edge Off
And speaking of pain, why whimper and wail when modern medicine exists?
Topical anesthetics, available over the counter and by prescription,
can dramatically reduce the discomfort of hair removal. They may not
completely eradicate pain but anesthetics can make the process a little
less dreadful. In a pinch? To temporarily numb your skin, try rubbing
an ice cube on areas like your eyebrows and cheeks.
7. Amateurs Beware
Fabulous eyebrows are the most coveted mark of beauty—and the easiest
part of our faces to ruin. And for South Asian women, our eyebrows,
those elegant strips of ebony, can be either a gift from god or the bane
of our existence. Before attacking your brows, have a plan and know
your desired shape. And if you’re about to start plucking, remember to
move a few steps back from the mirror every couple of hairs to assess
your progress and keep yourself in check. Novices might want to consider
a salon visit the first few times to get a good blueprint to work from
in the future. Eyebrows.com can provide step-by-step guides on how to
shape and style brows and even offers 911 help for the overzealous plucker
in all of us.
8. Outgrow Your Ingrown Hair
It’s a curse that’s fallen on many of us: those vile, coarse hairs that
remain under the skin, cause infection, and make hair removal more of a
headache that it already is. For women who are prone to ingrown hair,
make sure to exfoliate regularly, with a loofah or scrub, to slough off
dead skin. You may also want to consult your cosmetician or
dermatologist to find out if a medicated exfoliating treatment, or even an
alternate hair removal method, would be better for you.
9. If it’s too Good to be True…
It’s hard to believe, but so far, there is no miracle hair removal
method that is cheap, easy, painless, and permanent all at the same time.
Miracle creams or pills won’t stop hair forever. Only electrolysis,
which zaps hair follicles with electricity, can halt hair growth, but
it’s expensive, often painful, and tedious. And it works better on
smaller areas like your stomach and chin. Laser hair removal, which sends
light into the skin to target the hair follicle, works better for large
areas like legs, but it only lasts up to six months and works best on
lighter skinned women with dark hair. Both methods are considered safe
when done by a certified professional. Our advice? Be wary of
false-sounding claims. For more help, try Hairfacts.com’s section on
dubious hair removal methods to figure out if what you’re hearing is too
good to be true.
10. Maintenance Is Key
This is the gospel of hair removal. You can minimize your efforts on
certain parts of your body – your eyebrows, underarms, and legs in
particular – if you tend to these areas everyday rather than waiting long
periods of time between treatments. An extra ten minutes in the shower
for your legs and underarms and another ten before you go to sleep for
your eyebrows (make sure you’re working under good lighting) can free up
a Saturday afternoon for activities a lot more interesting than
spending time with Sally Hansen.
Shweta Govindarajan is a Washington-based journalist who secretly
desires to be a makeup artist. In addition to feeding her Sephora
addiction every chance she gets, Shweta writes about all things beauty
for ABCDLady.
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