The Basics of Hair Removal

The Basics of Hair Removal

Hair removal is a tedious and often time consuming problem, especially for women. Hair removal has always been an issue of personal hygiene. Even in ancient times there are writings that demonstrate how the people of those ages were interested in personal hygiene and thus in the removal of their hair.

Some cultures practiced the complete removal of hair from all over the body, in other cultures it was practiced only the removal of the hair covering certain areas of the body. Starting with the men’s beards and going on with other areas covered with hair (at men and women too) we can see (like the ancient had seen also) that it’s much easier to keep your face or other regions of your body clean if the hair on them is cut.

One of the first cultures that had understood this issue was the ancient Egyptians. The pharaohs are always presented in the pictures on the walls of the pyramids and other ancient constructions clean shaved, without beards or hair covering their bodies.
Another culture that had understand the importance of personal hygiene and appreciated the removal of hair from their bodies was the Romans. They were generally (most of them) clean shaved (the men). It is also know that not only the women practiced hair removal of their bodies and legs, but also the men were shaving and removing the hair of their bodies and legs.

In the Roman Empire the hair removal of your body also represented a social status. This way the nobles and the important figures from the empire were distinguished from the common and poor people. Also this way the Romans distinguished themselves from the “barbarians” (other people in ancient Europe like the Celts or the Germans and northern tribes whom generally worn beards).

Even now, in modern times, a clean shaved man or with a clean-cut beard is appreciated more than if he would have an unshaved beard. It still is a status symbol.

Methods of hair removal

Hair removal might be considered a "cosmetic" issue, but managing or removing unwanted hair can go beyond being a simple "cosmetic" problem.

Many cultures have an aesthetic "ideal" amount of hair for males and females. For some of us, unwanted hair that exceeds this arbitrary standard can cause real or perceived problems with social acceptance.

Temporary methods

Hair removal can be achieved through depilation (removing part of the hair above the skin's surface) or epilation (removing the entire hair). For many consumers, temporary methods at regular intervals are acceptable.

Depilation lasting several hours to several days can be achieved by:
• Shaving or trimming (manually or with electric shavers)
• Depilatories (creams or "shaving powders" which chemically dissolve hair)
• Friction (rough surfaces used to buff away hair)

Epilation lasting several days to several weeks can be achieved by:
• Tweezing
• Waxing (a hot or cold layer is applied and then removed with porous strips)
• Sugaring (similar to waxing, but with a sticky paste)
• Threading (also called fatlah or khite, in which a twisted thread catches hairs as it's rolled across the skin)
• Rotary epilators (devices which rapidly grasp hairs and pull them out by the root)

"Permanent" methods
If you're seeking permanent hair removal, you have several imperfect options. A number of methods have been developed that use chemicals, energy of varying types, or a combination to target the areas that regulate hair growth. Permanently destroying these areas while sparing surrounding tissue is a difficult challenge. It is recommended relying on a body of published, peer-reviewed scientific evidence to ensure the effectiveness of a method. Do this to ensure your own safety.

Permanent hair removal for most
• Electrolysis

Permanent hair reduction for some
• Laser
• Flashlamp

Lasting hair inhibition for many (requires continuous use)
• Prescription oral medications
• Prescription topical preparation (Vaniqa)

Restricted methods
• X-ray (banned in the United States)
• Photodynamic therapy (experimental)

Doubtful methods
• Electric tweezers
• "Transdermal electrolysis"
• "Transcutaneous hair removal"
• Photoepilators
• Microwaves
• Foods and dietary supplements
• Nonprescription topical preparations (aka "hair inhibitors," "hair retardants," or "hair growth inhibitors")

The major methods for hair removal are: shaving, waxing, depilatories, electrolysis and laser hair removal.

Shaving
By far the most common hair removal method. Cheap, quick, minimal side effects for most, but not long-lasting.

• Description: A sharpened metal blade cuts hair off at the skin's surface.
• Advantages: Inexpensive, fast, usually painless, very safe, can be done at home, available almost anywhere.
• Disadvantages: Effect lasts a short time - anywhere from a few hours to several days. Dark-haired users may have visible "shadow" of dark hair under skin. Often requires daily use. Can cause skin irritation and cuts. For some, it causes ingrown hairs (esp. in women's bikini area and African-American men's facial hair). Blades require frequent replacement.
• Equipment cost: From under $1.00 to $25.00 for manual razors and supplies.

Cream depilatories
Common, but some consumers find the caustic ingredients cause skin irritation or even chemical burns.

• Description: A chemical dissolves hair at the skin's surface.
• Advantages: Inexpensive, fast, sometimes painless, can be done at home, available almost anywhere.
• Disadvantages: Effect lasts a short time - anywhere from a few hours to several days. Dark-haired users may have visible "shadow" of dark hair under skin. Often requires use every two or three days. Can cause skin irritation. Can be a severe skin and eye irritant.
• Equipment cost: From under $1.00 to $8.00 a bottle.

Waxing
An ancient method, one of the few temporary methods still commonly performed professionally.

• Description: Hot wax is applied to the skin, and a strip of cloth or paper is pressed into the preparation. The strip is then quickly pulled away, taking hairs with it.
• Advantages: Can be done at home, fast and inexpensive.
• Disadvantages: Hairs can break off at or below surface, can be messy, consistency is difficult to get correct. One must be careful to avoid infecting skin
• Equipment costs: $25-$75 for home use kits; $20-$200 for professional waxing (based on areas treated).

Electrolysis
Permanent hair removal for most consumers if performed correctly (which requires considerable training and skill).

• Description: A hair-thin metal probe is slid into a hair follicle. Proper insertion does not puncture the skin. Electricity is delivered to the follicle through the probe, which causes localized damage to the areas that generate hairs.
• Advantages: By far the best and longest track record of results. Over 125 years of clinically proven safety and effectiveness.
• Disadvantages: Can be expensive. Can be painful. Can be tedious. Can be difficult for large amounts of hair. If done improperly, it can result in: partial to full regrowth, lasting skin damage, and spread of infection.
• Cost: The price varies from one cabinet to another.

Laser hair removal
Some consumers have experienced permanent hair reduction, but there is limited data on how long hair reduction usually lasts, how much hair reduction is typical, and how often permanent hair reduction occurs.

• Description: Light at a specified wavelength is delivered from a handpiece into the skin, where it targets dark material (usually the pigment in hair).
  This is intended to cause thermal and/or mechanical damage to a hair follicle while sparing surrounding tissues.
• Advantages: Some consumers have experienced long-lasting hair removal or permanent hair reduction. Considered safe if performed properly. Useful for large areas such as backs or legs.
  Regrowth can come back lighter in color or finer in texture. Light-skinned consumers with dark hair have the best results.
• Disadvantages: Long-term data on safety and effectiveness have not been accurately established. Response rates have not been established. Regrowth rates have not been accurately established and cannot be predicted due to numerous variables. Generally not as effective on unpigmented (gray) hairs and red or blonde hair. Must be used very cautiously (if at all) on darker skin tones or on consumers who tan themselves. Improper treatment can cause burns, lesions, skin discoloration lasting several months, or patchy/patterned regrowth.
  Recent data suggest other skin structures are often affected by laser irradiation, and long term effects of this constitute an unknown risk. Requires eye protection. Can be expensive. Some find treatment painful. Some consumers, even ideal candidates, do not respond to treatment.
• Cost: The price varies from one place to another.
  

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