Hair removal has always been one of the most utilized ways to let your melanin shine through. However, when it comes to hair removal, being beautiful on the outside may not be what’s best for your inside. Is hair removal good for the skin you’re in? Let’s find out!
Shaving
Shaving is one of the most well-known hair removal techniques available. A razor is used to remove hair down to the level of the skin, leaving the root of the hair intact. The main types of razors on most bathroom counters are the straight edge, disposable and electric.
A straight razor has an exposed blade and requires a high level of skill to avoid nicks and cuts. Disposable razors were created with safety in mind. The edges of the blades are surrounded in plastic and there is a plastic handle for easy guiding. A disposable razor should get tossed when the blades become dull. An electric razor is powered by batteries or electricity as it removes hair more closely than a disposable razor.
Benefits
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If done properly, shaving is safe in comparison to other hair removal techniques. Disposable razors cost about $.50 on average and an electric shaver costs around $40. Unlike some of the other methods of hair removal, shaving can be done as often as needed and in the convenience of your own bathroom.
The Downside
Facial and body hairs can be coarse and curly which can cause ingrown hairs. This is commonly seen amongst African-Americans. Shaving only removes hair at the skin's surface and can make it more likely for these curly hairs to become ingrown. Along with ingrown hair, there can be pain, irritation, and inflammation. Shaving over these problem areas can cause further issues with the skin such as folliculitis, which is inflammation of the hair follicles.
Shaving with a dull razor or without shaving cream can cause ingrown hairs and skin can darken around the follicles. Small dark spots can also appear when oil, bacteria, and dead skin get trapped inside of the hair follicle. This is called “Strawberry Legs” because the appearance of the dark, pitted spots look like the skin of a strawberry.
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Other side effects of shaving include; itchy skin, razor bumps, nicks and cuts, and razor burn. However, many of these can be avoided by exfoliating the skin before shaving, shaving in the direction that the hair grows, and getting rid of dull and dirty blades.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal has become more commonplace than it was a few decades ago. How does laser hair removal work? A laser beam is concentrated on the hair follicle and this causes permanent damage. Therefore, the hair does not grow back. The contrast between light skin and dark hair allows the laser to focus on the hair without damaging the skin. For this reason, laser hair removal was a successful technique for people with brown skin and dark hair.
Today, technology has advanced and laser hair removal has been more successful for those with dark skin and dark hair. There are two types of lasers that work for dark skin: the YAG and the diode. The YAG is the safest because it can bypass the melanin in the skin, without causing damage to the skin.
Benefits
A laser can remove an area of hair the size of a quarter in about a second. Now, that’s fast! Lasers are precise which cuts down on damage to the surrounding skin. In about three to seven treatments, most hair is removed completely.
The Downside
The average cost for a laser hair removal session is
$285. The cost depends on the size of the area being treated, the length of time it, if a doctor is performing the procedure, and the number of treatments required. In other words, it can get pretty expensive to reach the hairless result you desire.
Two of the most common side effects experienced by people with darker skin are hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is when the area that is treated becomes darkened and hypopigmentation is a lightening of the skin. Hypopigmentation can be difficult to correct. If laser hair removal is not performed by a professional, permanent damage to deep layers of the skin can result.
Waxing
The process of waxing involves the application of soft or hard wax. When soft wax is applied, a cloth strip is applied on top of the wax and the hair is quickly removed from the root once the wax is cooled. Hard waxes are made from things like beeswax and oil and removes hair from the root without the use of strips.
Benefits
When the wax is removed with a cloth strip, dead skin cells are pulled away, giving the skin a light exfoliation. Waxing lasts for about 3 to 4 weeks which is much longer than shaving. A professional waxing session can cost between $50-70 while a home waxing kit can cost $20-30.
The Downside
Waxing has some side effects that are similar to other hair removal treatments such as: skin irritation, ingrown hairs, bumps, sun sensitivity, allergic reaction, folliculitis and scarring. Many of these can be avoided by having the procedure by a professional.
Depilatory Creams
Depilatory creams, AKA hair removal creams, use a strong alkaline chemical that helps to break down the keratin protein bonds in hair. The product is applied to the skin for about 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the hair, and the hair is wiped away with a warm towel or cloth.
Benefits
The process is of using a hair removal cream is fast and easy to apply. Hair removal on a small area may take about 15 minutes while a larger area may take up to 30 minutes. The cool thing about applying a cream for hair removal is that you’re free to throw a load of laundry in the machine or read a book while you wait. Hair removal creams won’t break the bank either! They cost around $10 or less at your local store.
The Downside
The chemical smell of some hair removal creams is enough to take your breath away! Most manufacturers add fragrances to drown out the chemical smell. If your skin is sensitive or if the product is left on the skin too long, blisters, chemical burns, and rashes can be the end result. Due to the hair only being removed at the surface like with shaving, the result of using a hair removal cream is not long-lived. You may start to see unwanted hair return in a few days.
Whether your skin is smooth as silk or as wooly as a mammoth, your top priority should be your skin’s health. Some options for hair removal can leave you with undesirable results that cause pain and even disfigurement. Your skin is your largest organ and your body’s first defense to invaders. Let’s take care of it!
Dr. Candace McMillon-Dantley is on a mission to inspire and educate women about health. She is the creator of The Doc Knows, a health and wellness site for women. When she’s not health writing, she is health motivating and educating through presentations on healthy nutrition, self-care, and conditions of the body. Her experiences as a business owner, chiropractor, wife, and mom of two resonate with all women. Connect with Dr. Candace on Instagram @drcandace.
