It’s almost that time of year again – skin-baring season. As the temperature begins to rise, you’ve probably started daydreaming about spending a little more time on the beach and a little less time in the office. If you’re anything like us, warmer temps also mean it’s time to start grooming for warmer weather.
Most women have been dealing with hair-removal methods since our teens – including all the pain, dribbles of blood, stubble, and ingrown hairs that come with it.
At a time when boys are relishing every new chin hair that pops up, girls are struggling to find a hair removal technique that works. Finding one with lasting results is a bonus.
No matter how long you’ve been removing unwanted hair from your body, new techniques are always emerging that claim to save you time, money, or pain. Thankfully the days of having to choose between shaving daily or trying to hide new growth have long gone.
With so many hair removal options available today, for both men and women, the question becomes, Can it get any better?
The answer is yes. There’s an amazing way to get longer-lasting results from any hair removal treatment you choose. Before we talk about this revolutionary technique, let’s review some of the most popular hair removal options available.
Waxing – The Old Standard
Waxing is one of the most commonly practiced hair removal techniques. It can be done at home yourself or in a salon by a professional. Waxing swiftly pulls hair from the root through a series of repetitive tugs.
This hair removal method is an affordable choice for anyone looking for long-term results. It’s more precise than shaving for removing hair from areas with delicate skin, such as the bikini area.
How Waxing Works
Waxing uses a mixture that is warmed before application and comes in two types – soft or hard. The soft wax mixture contains rosin, oils, and other additives. Hard waxes are made up of beeswax, resin, oils, and other additives.
The wax, either hard or soft, is applied in the same direction as hair growth. After soft wax is applied, a strip of paper is placed on top and is removed once it cools by pulling in the opposite direction of hair growth.
Hard wax firms up on its own once applied and can be removed without paper strips. Generally, hard waxes hurt less than soft waxes.
Waxing has the added benefit of providing light exfoliation, removing dead skin cells in the area to reveal a soft layer underneath. Following treatment, the area may be red or tender for a few hours, but you’ll be able to show off in your swimsuit within 24 hours.
Is Waxing Safe?
There is a slim chance of experiencing unwanted side effects after a waxing appointment. In addition to the pain associated with waxing, some potential adverse effects include:
- Redness or irritation
- Bumps or scarring
- Allergic reaction
- Infection
- Ingrown hairs
- Sun sensitivity
Of course, your skin sensitivity will play a role in your level of risk for experiencing these effects. If you opt to wax yourself at home, your level of risk will be determined by the safety of the product you choose.
If you choose to have a professional perform your waxing, selecting a clean and safe salon will reduce your risks. Find a reputable salon that has strict sanitary practices, including using gloves and clean applicators, and doesn’t reuse wax between different clients.
How to Get Optimal Results with Waxing?
The best things you can do between appointments to make your wax last are:
- Let your hair grow, but not too long – this means no shaving, tweezing, or trimming.
- Keep your skin exfoliated and moisturized – this also helps prevent itching and irritation.
- Maintain regular appointments – even during winter months.
You can minimize the appearance of bumps and ingrown hairs by exfoliating before your appointment. You can resume your exfoliating routine in as little as 24 hours following your treatment.
Perhaps the best way to get longer-lasting results is to leave it to the professionals and schedule a waxing appointment. Waxing is usually done every 3-4 weeks since that’s about how long it takes for your hair to reach the appropriate length.
Sugaring – The All-Natural Way
Sugaring is a newer, more natural technique for removing unwanted hair. It removes your body hair quickly by pulling the hair directly from the root, similar to waxing but with some minor differences.
No paper strips are involved with sugaring. Additionally, the pain level associated with sugaring is moderate and therefore recommended for sensitive skin types. The sugaring process is more gentle than other methods, resulting in your hair growing back slower and softer.
How Sugaring Works
Sugaring is named after the mixture itself, which includes lemon, water, and sugar. The ingredients are heated together until they reach a candy-like consistency.
Once the mixture has cooled, it is applied directly to the skin in the opposite direction of hair growth. It is then removed by pulling quickly in the same direction as hair growth.
Cleanup is fairly easy since the mixture doesn’t stick to the skin, any residue can be rinsed off with water. The process only exfoliates the surface of the skin, meaning it can be reapplied to the same area multiple times.
Is Sugaring Safe?
The sugaring paste is a mixture of all-natural ingredients. Unless you have an allergy, there are no known side effects associated with this hair removal method.
Sugaring removes hair from the root but has less risk for ingrown hairs than waxing. Some people may experience minimal bumps or irritation immediately following the procedure, but these reactions are not long-lasting.
The ingredients in the mix are more transparent than waxing, which can contain additives that may irritate sensitive skin. The sugaring mixture is also more environmentally friendly than wax, which may make it more appealing to some.
How to Get Optimal Results with Sugaring
While it’s less likely to develop ingrown hairs following a sugaring treatment, it’s still a good idea to exfoliate a few times a week between appointments to help prevent ingrown hairs.
It’s a good idea to wait at least 48 hours following an appointment before:
- Exposing treated areas to the sun
- Resuming your exfoliation routine
- Utilizing saunas, steam rooms, and other heated sources
- Exercising (24 hours)
- Swimming in chlorine (24 hours)
Maintaining a regular sugaring schedule will help keep you hairless for longer. Regular treatments can also reduce your skin’s sensitivity over time.
Laser Hair Removal – The Semi-Permanent Solution
Laser hair removal is a non-invasive treatment for hair removal and is arguably the longest-lasting technique available. The lasers target hair melanin (color), which means it works best for people with dark hair color and light skin tones.
It was first approved by the FDA in 1995, but it’s been around since the 1960s when testing first began. The chest, back, shoulders, neck, bikini line, and face (except for around the eyes) are the only areas it has been approved for use.
How Laser Hair Removal Works
Laser hair removal is often mistaken for a permanent hair removal solution. The truth is, however, that laser treatment only reduces the number of unwanted hair in a particular area.
It works by heating your hair follicles using high-heat laser beams as a mild form of radiation. The light targets the pigment in individual hairs, then travels down the shaft of the hair and into the follicle.
This process damages or destroys your follicles, putting them into a state of dormancy and stopping the growth of new hairs for an extended time. Much longer than shaving, waxing, or sugaring.
Is Laser Hair Removal Safe?
Laser hair removal can cause serious complications, though they are less common. On these rare occasions scars, burns, blisters, infections, and permanent changes in skin color may occur.
The following side effects are more common, but usually subside within a few days of the treatment:
- Swelling
- Redness
- Skin irritation
- Skin discomfort
To reduce your risk of experiencing more serious side effects, it’s important to have a skilled professional perform your laser hair removal. More specifically, choosing a board-certified dermatologist to administer treatment will go a long way to minimize the risk of complications.
How to Get Optimal Results with Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal typically requires several treatments over two or three months. This is because hair may regrow if the follicle was damaged and not destroyed, or if hairs in a resting phase of the hair growth cycle were not visible to the technician.
When the hair follicle is destroyed, it will not regrow; whereas if it’s only damaged, the hair will regrow even if it takes a while.
Speak to a dermatologist or skilled practitioner to determine if laser hair removal is conducive to your skin complexion and hair type. This will help you get the most out of your treatment.
Hair Growth Inhibitors – The Perfect Complement
Hair growth inhibitors are sprays or creams that inhibit or slow down the growth of hair on your body. This results in you removing less hair, less frequently, which is great for anyone with hot summer plans.
They are an ideal complement for your favorite hair removal treatment.
Natural VS Prescription Hair Growth Inhibitors
Natural hair growth inhibitors utilize plant enzymes in their formulas, making them a safe over-the-counter option. They are a safer alternative to chemical-based hair removal creams that have been known to cause skin irritation or damage.
Prescription hair growth inhibitors are approved by the FDA and specifically designed to remove unwanted facial hair on women. They can take up to two months to work and require a prescription from a doctor or dermatologist. Prescription hair growth inhibitors can cause adverse effects following regular use.
How Hair Growth Inhibitors Work
Hair growth inhibitors are applied following other hair removal techniques. Once the hair has been removed using your preferred method, the inhibitor is applied.
It works by changing the actual structure of your hair follicles, weakening them, and slowing down their growth. By changing the structure of your hair follicles, the hair that grows back is lighter, softer, and finer, making it less noticeable and much easier to manage.
Although you’ll need to use them regularly, hair growth inhibitors are a natural and inexpensive addition to traditional hair removal methods.
Are Hair Growth Inhibitors Safe?
Natural hair growth inhibitors are made with botanical ingredients and plant extracts. Unless you have specific skin conditions, they are not known to harm your skin.
When trying any new topical product, it is recommended that you test a small area on your inner arm at least 24 hours before treating the desired area.
How to Get Optimal Results with Hair Growth Inhibitors
Hair growth inhibitors do not remove hair permanently, but it can seem as if they do.
To get the best results, apply the solution following a hair removal method that removes hair from the root. This allows the formula to fully penetrate your pores and gain direct access to your hair follicles.
It even provides an additional benefit when paired with laser hair treatment. This is because laser hair removal works best on dark hair, while most hair growth inhibitors work well on all colors, including light and gray hair.
Using an all-natural hair growth inhibitor, like Ultra Hair Away® from Leading Edge Health, improves your results no matter which hair removal treatment you prefer.
Avoid Summertime FOMO with Ultra Hair Away®
Most of us want to spend as much time as we can enjoying the sun at the beach or pool this summer. So why waste time at salon appointments or holed up in your bathroom while everyone else is living it up?
Ultra Hair Away® can double the time between your hair removal treatments. Some people have even reported being able to wait three times as long between appointments simply by using Ultra Hair Away®!
No matter which method you choose for going hairless this summer, try pairing it with Ultra Hair Away® so you don’t miss a minute of fun in the sun. And don’t miss out on our blog post, “11 Anti-Aging Tips Every Woman Must Know” to look your best this year!
