September 01, 2006
Body Hair Removal
Body hair can be pretty embarrassing to have in excess. While its of course totally natural and normal to have a lot of body hair, it has definitely developed a kind of stigma associated with it in some countries, including the U.S. Having a lot of body hair can make going to the beach or a public pool an embarrassing and uncomfortable event, when it is supposed to be fun and relaxing. Body hair removal is getting to be more and more common as this sort of stigma grows and spreads.
One of the older tried and tested methods of body hair removal is of course waxing. This is my personal favorite. There’s nothing like getting hot wax poured all over you, then having your hair ripped out one strip at a time. If you’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing this form of body hair removal, I highly recommend it. Somewhere between medieval torture and a bad day at the dentist, getting your body hair waxed is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Of course, then there is shaving. Shaving is probably the most common method of body hair removal, if not the most efficient. While its relatively painless, your hair will just grow right back again within days, and you are limited to shaving areas you can reach. Body hair removal for your legs, armpits, and of course face is easy to do by shaving, but its pretty hard to shave your own back unless you have some amazing flexibility.
The most effective form of body hair removal that I know is electrolysis. This is a medical procedure involving lasers that permanently, or nearly permanently, removes hair by killing the roots. While it is actually pretty painless compared to waxing, the problem with this kind of body hair removal is it is expensive, and therefore not really feasible for large portions of your body.
There are some body hair removal lotions and creams I’ve seen, but I’m a little wary of any chemical that can dissolve your hair. Generally, that’s not a good sign, and probably means it’s doing all kinds of harmful things to your skin.
Posted by KeyWest at 04:29 PM | Comments (0)
June 10, 2006
Body Hair Removal
An Overview of the Most Effective Body Hair Removal Techniques
Men and women alike are spending increasing amounts of money on the latest techniques to remove unwanted body hair. And we're not talking about the hair on men's faces and women's legs. We're talking about getting rid of hair on our arms, chests, backs, private areas, and faces. Is it possible to remove hair from such large surface areas? And more importantly, is doing so safe? The answer to both questions is, yes. Removing body hair is possible and if done correctly, and in some cases by a licensed professional, it is also safe.
As stated already however, the costs are extreme. To do an area as large as the back will cost several thousand dollars, and that's per treatment. Several treatments are necessary because the laser technique can only impact hair that is currently in a growing stage. Also, there will be places where hair will regrow and although it will regrow finer and lighter, in order to be permanent, the hair follicle needs to be rendered incapable of growing new hair.
The next best method of removing body hair is waxing. Far less expensive than laser treatments and even electrolysis, waxing works by extracting hairs out of their shafts. Because the hair follicle is not specifically and purposely damaged, hair will regrow, but it will take several weeks for it to reappear. Repetitive application of this hair removal process may ultimately affect the follicle and cause hair growth to cease, however, this is not guaranteed which is why waxing cannot be considered a permanent hair removal method.
Waxing, or sugaring if you're sensitive to wax or prefer an organic solution, works by applying a layer of cold or hot wax or a sugar-based mixture directly on the area where hair is to be removed. After allowing to harden it is very quickly peeled away from the skin, in the opposite direction of the hair growth and viola – the body hair is pulled free from that area. The process is repeated until the entire body surface is free of hair. It is possible to do this at home, but since most of us have a low tolerance to self-inflicted pain, you'll get better and faster results if you leave this type of work to someone else, at least for the first few times.
If you think it's time to remove unwanted body hair, whether for cosmetic reasons, sports-related competitions or any other reason, go with laser therapy if you can afford it or waxing. They're the best for removing large expanses of body hair.
Posted by KeyWest at 04:29 PM | Comments (0)
May 31, 2006
Unwanted Hair Removal
Facts about unwanted hair removal
Whether you suffer from hair growth conditions like hypertrichosis or hirsutism, or you simply have some hair growing in places where you wished it didn't, there are an endless number of hair removal options available today. There are essentially two categories of hair removal procedures. 'Permament' procedures seek to remove unwanted hair in such a way that it never returns. Sometimes these techniques turn out to be semi-permanent and have to be repeated over time. Temporary hair removal techniques work for short periods of time and are subject to the body's normal hair growth cycle.
There's as many reasons as there are hairs on your body. Most woman treat hair removal as part of their normal cosmetic routine. They shave their legs and underarms, pluck their eyebrows, and have pubic hair trimmed or removed to accommodate today's fashions. Some men also shave their body hair for cosmetic reasons, and most men shave their facial hair unless they are purposely growing it out as a beard, goatee, or moustache. Many athletes, particularly swimmers and body builders, will undergo hair removal procedures in order to enhance their performance, their appearance, or both. Then there are medical reasons for removing hair and just plain old 'because I felt like it' reasons as well.
Examples of Permanent Hair Removal Techniques
ELECTROLYSIS
Electrolysis treats every hair follicle individually by injecting a needle into the hair follicle and subjecting it to an electric charge. This process can go on for months depending upon the size of the area undergoing treatment. This is a relatively painful process, and side effects can include scaring and infection. Costs can run as high as $1,000-$3,000 for the legs or pubic area.
LASER
Laser hair removal is an FDA approved process which should only be performed by a licensed and trained professional. During this procedure, a small laser beam is used to destroy the hair follicles. This is a relatively painless procedure which works best on people who have light colored skin and dark hair. It is not recommended if you are deeply tanned. Costs run around $1,000 for the removal of facial hair, and anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000 for hair removal from the legs and pubic area.
PHOTO EPILATION/PULSED LASER
Similar to LASER treatment, this FDA approved procedure uses a pulsed light beam to destroy the hair follicles. This method is especially effective for removing hair from the underarms and the bikini area. There are no restrictions regarding skin color, tanning, or hair color. Costs run from $500 to $2,000 and up, depending upon the area of the body treated.
Temporary hair removal methods include a wide variety of hair removal creams, shaving, plucking, waxing, and more exotic procedures. What a dichotomy. While millions of people are spending billions of dollars to grow new hair, make it soft and shiny, or have it cut just right, the rest of us are sending our money trying to get rid of it!
Posted by KeyWest at 05:01 PM | Comments (0)
