An Insider's Guide to Hair Removal
Everything You (Actually) Need to Know About Hair Removal
Shave. Tweeze. Wax. Thread. Sugar. Epilate. Laser.
These are just a few of the tried and tested methods that men and women undergo in the tireless endeavour to remove unwanted facial and body hair; and honey, that’s not all.
Whether you have been going bare for years, prefer touching up for sunny seasons and special occasions, or choose to leave the fuzz ‘au natural’, here is everything you actually need to know about hair removal.
By the end of this article, you’ll be able to share with all your friends and family your new knowledge about the vitally important role of hair follicles, what alcohol and caffeine do to your pores, and the most opportune time of the month to book a hair waxing appointment.
Let’s take a moment to get back to basics with the what, where, and why of this hairy conversation, talk about short versus long term solutions, zap the top five myths of hair removal, and divulge our most recommended dos and don’ts.
The Basics
First thing’s first, everyone has body hair. You do, I do, even the First Lady does. The way it grows, however, varies from individual to individual, and its maintenance and ‘landscaping’ ultimately comes down to your personal preferences. For many, the riddance of unwanted hair can pave an avenue towards strengthened confidence, physical comfort, and even liberating self-expression.
Fortunately for you, with advances in modern technology today, there are common and popular hair removal options available -- from pain-free, short-term tools that you can attempt at home, to professional and semi-permanent hair reduction salon solutions.
The choice is always yours.
Hair Removal Areas & Hair Types
Ever wanted to do something about that faint, pesky upper lip ‘stache? Do you daydream of what the possibilities might be if you weren’t constantly covering up those bumpy, inflamed ingrown hairs? Or do you ever lay awake wondering what in the world to do with your beautiful but oh so hard-to-reach curves and crevices?
Well, every external area on your body - except for the delicate bottom area of the eyebrows - can be treated!
This includes:
Facial fur: chin, neck, upper lip
Torso tufts: chest, stomach, back
Those less than lustrous limbs: legs, arms, underarms
Your bashful bikini area, and more
The effectiveness and longevity of your shave, wax, or laser hair removal procedures, however, can be uniquely affected by your hair follicles and the presence of pigments. For example, pigments like brown, black, and red would make you a good candidate for Elegance Studio’s non-invasive, non-ablative GentleYAG™ system. Contrary to popular belief, blondes don’t always have more fun, (at least not in the laser hair removal clinic anyway!), and developing a better understanding of hair follicles explains why this is the case.
Hair Follicle Facts
You may have heard this term tossed around in hair and beauty conversations, but what are hair follicles? Where do they live? And why do they matter so much in achieving the silky smoothness of a dolphin?
Hair follicles are located in your epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, and are responsible for growing hair.
Hair begins growing at the bottom of your follicles and continues up to the surface.
Follicles are responsible for how much your hair grows and influence what it looks like.
Their shape determines how curly or straight your hair is, and the presence of melanin determines the pigment and colour of your hair.
They are nourished by blood vessels that deliver varying hormones throughout different stages of your life.
When damaged, the follicles can stop producing hair, and your hair growth cycle can slow down.
This is where hair removal methods with penetrating properties come into play, with a significant role.
So let’s dive in and learn which options our follicle friends best respond to, for results you can see and feel.
Short-term vs. Long-term Hair Removal
In-home DIY methods such as depilatory creams and shaving with a razor ultimately yield short-term results. Consulting with a professional esthetician on the other hand will provide you with longer lasting hair reduction and removal solutions. Regardless of which route you choose, it is always important to remember that your own unique factors will affect eventual hair regrowth. Consider:
Health of hair follicles
Genetics and hormones
Medications you are taking
Stress you may be experiencing
So now the questions that remain are, which method will you choose, and what does our professional team of estheticians at Elegance Studio recommend as the wisest investment?
Quick Fix Methods
Depilatory creams and sugar scrubs aside, here are three of the most common hair removal quick fixes on the market. We have also noted regrowth timelines to help you compare the options.
Shaving: The age-old razor method will cut your hair at the surface level.
No, pressing down harder does not achieve a cleaner, closer shave; and no, shaving frequently and regularly does not make your hair grow back thicker or darker -- but more on this later.
In order to reduce the chances of irritation, always use a sharp blade and apply a lubricant, like shaving cream or gel. Maintain the razor flat against your skin, and gently glide along the surface. Avoid storing your razor in the shower; rather, allow it to dry upright in a ventilated space in order to minimize germs and bacteria.
→ Hair will grow back in 1 - 3 days
→ Downsides: as this is merely a surface method, you will need to continue shaving frequently to stay smooth
Waxing: Umm, ouch? (Hang tight, we will delve deeper into the ‘pain myth’ very shortly!)
Hot or cold wax is applied to the skin, and once adhered to the hair, strips are removed to extract hair from the root. The team at Elegance Studio endeavour to treat you with careful, clean, and comfortable waxing services for a truly efficient experience.
→ Hair will grow back in 3 - 6 weeks
→ Downsides: waxing can often miss short hairs, and if you do it yourself, things can get rather messy
Tweezing: AKA plucking individual hairs. One. By. One.
This technique removes hair from the follicle when performed correctly. And yes, you guessed it, it is a risky business when not done accurately. You can be left with irritation, scabs, and even scarring if the tweezers dig into your skin.
→ Similarly, with waxing, the hair will grow back in 3 - 6 weeks.
→ Downsides: this is a truly tedious endeavour for larger areas like legs and torso regions
In for the Long Haul
Now with some fancy follicle knowledge up your sleeve, you can understand that hair will continue to grow back as long as the follicle is alive and well. That is why laser hair removal is considered a successful, semi-permanent solution, makes sense in the long run, and is highly recommended by our professional team.
Laser Hair Removal: “A trickling vibration and warming sensation” is how we describe the laser pulse.
Precise lasers emit a gentle light beam which targets pigments, transforms into heat, and zap, hair follicles are permanently destroyed. No damage is caused to the surrounding skin and the treatment can therefore be safely applied to your face and body.
With every session, hair regrowth is noticeably slowed down, thinner, and lighter than before. The more significant the difference between skin and hair colour, the better the results of laser hair removal.
→ Hair falls out 10 - 14 days later
→ 6 - 10 treatments spaced out every 4 - 6 weeks are recommended for ideal results
→ After the initial course, just 1 - 2 yearly sessions will aid in maintaining your desired silky smooth skin
Hair Removal Myths Zapped
#1 Laser Hair Removal is Too Expensive
Laser hair removal treatments may seem costly at first when compared to a disposable razor, but certainly not in comparison to monthly waxing sessions. Factor in the longer-term results and voila, overall this personal investment is not so expensive after all. What’s more, Elegance Studio offers laser hair removal experiences starting at just $30.
#2 You Must Always Shave Against the Grain
Shaving against the grain can potentially offer you a closer shave, however, you run the uncomfortable risk of skin irritation, razor bumps or burn, and ingrown hairs. Shaving in the direction of natural hair growth, after a hydrating hot shower and applying shaving cream, ensures a more comfortable experience.
#3 The Struggle Ain’t Real for Men
Did you know, only less than a third of British men do not remove any body hair! Manscaping is proving to be a growing trend, and there is an increasing number of men who seek professional hair reduction services on their own accord. Pair this need with the pressure that comes with hair loss and balding concerns, and you can admit that they do not necessarily have it easier!
#4 Hair Will Grow Back Thicker and Faster After Shaving
Undisturbed hair is naturally tapered and generally lies flat and soft against the skin. However, after shaving it may appear thicker when regrowing, as the hair that emerges is now blunt and no longer tapered. It feels sharper and coarser at the touch but is essentially unchanged.
#5 Waxing is Always, Always Painful
Okay okay, so there is no absolute way to eliminate the pain of pulling hair out from its root. However, better understanding your own body’s sensitivities and thresholds can enable you to find simple strategies to dull and mitigate the otherwise less than pleasant experience.
Here is a handful of insider tips from our team:
Your hormones can make you more susceptible to pain, especially three days prior to menstruation, so it is wise to schedule your waxing appointment two weeks after your period.
Visiting a trusted esthetician who creates an environment of soft lighting, soothing scents, and calming music will also provide some mental comfort.
Last but not least, avoid consuming stimulating foods and drinks, like alcohol and caffeine which tend to tighten your pores.
Final Dos and Don’ts
As we wrap up our insider’s guide to hair removal, let us leave you with our recommended list of dos and don’ts.
DO your research and choose an experienced, certified, and well-reviewed professional esthetician. Feeling at ease and comfortable with your specialist can truly transform your hair removal sessions into efficient and delightful experiences. Furthermore, quality medical grade equipment will ensure you avoid mess, irritation, and infection, particularly for facial and intimate areas.
DO exfoliate. Gently exfoliating your skin once or twice a week helps not only to prepare for hair removal but also improves the appearance and texture of any dryness by loosening dead skin. Proper exfoliation expels dead, clogged cells, uncovering and revealing the fresh and radiant new cells beneath. Simply make small circular motions, and rinse with lukewarm water.
DON’T pluck, wax, or bleach when undergoing a laser hair removal course. For successful results, we want to allow the light beams to be absorbed by your pigments, and this is achieved by retaining your hair follicles in as much of an intact and natural state as possible.
DON’T ignore advised post-treatment aftercare following laser and wax treatments.
Avoid excessive sun exposure, saunas, and hot showers as this stimulates a moist environment for bacteria growth
Don’t lather up on lotions, deodorants, makeup, or perfumed products
Wait the recommended times between treatments: 4 - 6 weeks in alignment with your hair growth cycle
At the end of the day, the choice is yours. You are empowered to allow your hairs to grow freely and blow in the wind (in the privacy of your home, of course), or alternatively, achieve the aforementioned silky smoothness of a dolphin.
If the sound of the latter tickles your fancy, we welcome you to contact our professional estheticians to find out if our waxing services or recommended GentleYAG™ is right for you. The team at Elegance Studio strive to support and guide you on your journey to confidence, beauty and elegance, and are always here to answer your top laser hair removal questions.