Is waxing for hair removal the better choice? It seems that it is…
The methods for removing body hair fall into two general categories: depilation and epilation. Following is a description of each method and how it works.
Depilation
The hair is removed at the skin line. Shaving and using chemical depilatories are examples of depilation. Depilatories are chemicals that dissolve the hair so that it can be wiped or washed away.
Examples include Nair and Neet, which can be purchased at any local drug store or supermarket.
Epilation
The hair is removed below the surface of the skin. The advantage of epilation over depilation is that it will take longer for the hair to grow back if the hair is removed by epilation. Also if it is performed repeatedly on the same area over a prolonged period of time, the quantity of hair will be permanently reduced.
Examples of epilation include waxing, tweezing, Epilady Hair Removal System and electrolysis.
Probably the most effective method of removing unwanted hair in both large and small areas is waxing. Hair can be removed with a minimum amount of discomfort. There are two types of waxing techniques. The first and most common method is warm waxing. The second method is cold waxing.
Cold waxing is the method that most people use at home. Cold wax can be bought at any drugstore and it usually comes in tubes. The directions on the package are easy to follow. Warm waxing is more effective than cold waxing and is the type of hair removal that is performed at a salon or spa. Any hair baring area can be waxed including the mustache, chin, eyebrows, legs and bikini line.
The warm waxing procedure
1. First the esthetician will discuss the hair removal process. He or she will examine the areas you want treated.
2. The wax is heated in a warmer until it is just melted and then it is applied to the skin with a small wooden spatula. Next, the esthetician will place a strip of muslin cloth or a cotton cloth over the wax. The wax is allowed to cool and then she will remove the strip of cloth quickly. The cloth is pulled in the opposite direction of the hair growth. This sounds painful but it only lasts a few seconds.
3. Once the cotton strip has been removed, hand pressure is applied to the area to minimize the discomfort. The area will be red and sensitive for a few hours.
4. Caution!! If you are using Retin-A, let your esthetician know. You should stop the medication 3-4 weeks prior to the treatment. Otherwise, you may be left with a sore area which could heal with a brown spot.
That’s the warm waxing process in a nutshell. Again, it is a safe, effective way to remove hair.
