Shaving and more, a friendly how-to guide Options

[Comptine]

One of the things the girls in this forum constantly complain and ask questions about is shaving. I hate it too! Takes way to long sometimes and when the hair starts to grow back in, it itches a lot. I recently received a magazine with different hair removal systems and decided to share with my fellow females... and guys, if they are interested.

First off, I would like to take clear of one little thing. The most common shaving myth:

Shaving causes hair to grow back darker, thicker, and/or quicker.

If you were to Google 'shaving myths' a few sites will pop up to dispel it.

It's just an illusion, according to Dr. Kitha Griffin, an Atlanta dermatologist. "New growth is often sharp-tipped and stubbly, depending on the removal technique," so it may appear bristly, she says. Hair grows independently, unaffected by anything external. Dr. Griffin adds that if this myth were true, all men would have thick dark beards.

Taken from CNN

Wikipedia restates this fact.

Some hold the belief that, once shaving commences, the hair will grow out more thickly. However, this bit of conventional wisdom happens to be false. The resulting stubble only makes the hairs seem to be thicker. Because a shaved hair has a blunt end (versus the tapered end of an unshaven hair) and because hair is often darker in color near the root, there is a widely held belief that shaving causes hair to grow in thicker and faster. Clinical studies have demonstrated that shaving does not have an effect on hair growth rates or density (see medical data below).

Hair Removal Methods


• Shaving


Uses a razor and a lubricant (such as a cream or oil).

Pros: It’s quick and easy because you can do it yourself and the results usually are immediate. It’s also cheap. I suggest you buy a good shaving cream such as Skintimate because it does such a good job of protecting against nicks and cuts, just about any razor is good. That way you don’t have to spring for a really expensive razor.

Cons: It leaves the hair root intact so with this method, the stubble becomes apparent much quicker. It’s good for about 1-3 days. And there’s always those nasty nicks, cuts, and ingrown hairs*.



• Depilatory


A chemical cream (on the label it is referred to as a lotion) that softens/dissolves hair so you can wipe it away.

Pros: It gets down to the root too so the results last much longer. Anywhere from 3 days to one week. It also leaves the skin very soft. A popular brand is Nair which has many different versions of depilatories.

Cons: It has lots of strong chemicals in it so most of the time it smells horrible. Like your nose hair is burning away. It also requires you to get lotion all over your hands. It is also irritating to sensitive skin. If you like this method but hate the mess, you can try Veet which sprays it on.



• Waxing/Sugaring


A hot or cold sticky paste is applied to the area then covered with a piece of cloth. Then the cloth is tore off and the hair is ripped out.

Pros: Since the entire hair is pulled out, it lasts for weeks (3 - 4). Plus you don’t also have to go to the salon for waxes. You can buy an at-home-kit. Try Nad’s. I heard it works pretty well.

Cons: Quite frankly, it hurts because it removes a layer of skin too. It can also cause the entire area to turn red and irritated.



• Epilators


An electrical tweezer in a way. It has a rotary head with tiny tweezers.

Pros: Like waxing, it removes the entire hair so it lasts it pretty long time.

Cons: It’s expensive. It’s like an electrical razor. It can cost from $30 to $150. Also, you have to wait till the hair is long enough for the tweezers to grasp. It hurts. Braun makes epilators.

Alternative: Got time on your hands? Manual tweezing. =)



• Threading


An Asian method that uses a twisted piece of sewing thread to pull it out. Mainly used for small areas like the face.

Pros: It’s less painful than waxing because it’s only one hair at a time. It’s also pretty gentle and precise. Think of it as a small spa/pampering. And not that expensive. Depending on the area (how large it is), it can cost from $5 - $30.

Cons: You need a professional to do it. You have to find a salon that does it. Chinese people do it so you should go to your local Chinatown and ask around. It also causes irritation.



• Electrolysis


A small needle is inserted into each hair follicle and an electric heat current is sent to the root, destroying it and preventing future growth. Should be done by a professional.

Pros: It last for a long time and can have permanent results.

Cons: It’s expensive ($25 - $150 per half hour) because you need a lot of sessions to be completely hair free (every three to six weeks for about a year). You might feel discomfort from the current. There are also a lot of complications. The needle might not pierce a hair follicle. It can cause skin damage and might not work at all (no response to hair regrowth).

Alternative: There are at home kits but professionals don’t recommend it. You most likely will do it improperly and can cause anything from an infection to skin damage.



• Laser


First, your skin is prepped and protected by either a protective spray or a numbing cream. A laser is applied and it destroys the follicle for permanent results.

Pros: It’s permanent! And not that painful.

Cons: It’s expensive ($150 for 30-60 minute sessions) with several sessions. It doesn’t work on light colored hair because it’s attracted to dark pigments. Can burn the skin or cause skin discoloration.




*Ingrown hairs - hair that grows out improperly and goes underneath the skin. It curls and twist underneath the skin. A bump is formed due to irritation and may lead to infection/cysts. You can spot them usually or you notice them because they are itchy/irritated/painful. Try exfoliation to break up the skin covering the hair. You can also carefully try to pick them out. I advise against it because I tried it and got red bumps and even further irritated skin. Try a scrub. I used a face scrub that worked pretty well. Except my knees smelled like fruit.

Tips

• For shaving/depilatories, they work best after soaking your skin in warm water. Do it after you bath/shower.
• Clean your razor to prevent infection.
• Use your razor only 3 - 5 times.
• Shaving over and over on one spot causes razor burns. Stretching the skin taut produces the same result.
• Make sure your leg is propped on something sturdy. It prevents cuts.
• Put lotion on your knees after shaving. It’s a trouble spot that usually gets irritated.
• Buy a spatula like thing for depilatories. It’s a little clumsy but you don’t need to use your hands. I used an small ruler I found in the bathroom. Made things a lot easier.
• Get a hair minimizing lotion to extend the periods between shaving/depilatories.
• Put an ice pack on areas you before you wax. It lessens the pain.



Thanks to Cosmo Girl! May 2005 issue and HairFacts


EDIT: August 31, 2007

Bikini Wax Tips

I decided to add more to the guide because the original touches on everything BUT bikini waxes, which I often hear girls asking questions about.

There are four types of bikini waxes:

1. The Bikini Wax - hair is removed from the bikini line
2. The Brazilian Bikini - leaves a vertical strip in front (landing strip), two to three fingers in width just above the vaginal area. Hair is not removed from the labia. Hair is removed from the tush. Hair may be removed from the buttock or peri-anal area.
3. The Playboy Bikini - the Playboy Bikini Wax - all hair is removed from the labia, all hair is removed from the tush, including the peri-anal area, and only a very narrow strip is left in the front. Named after playboy magazine because that's what you see on the models of playboy.
4. The Sphinx (or the Full Bikini Wax) - it's all taken off. Everywhere. Everything. Bald.

You don't have to restrict your wax to these four types. You can have it tailored to your own needs. Those are just the four main ones.

Getting a bikini wax will definitely be uncomfortable for some women. You're naked from the waist down and the waxer will have a full view of your privates. So before you go get one, ask yourself if you can handle such exposure. A bikini wax is akin to going to see a gyno.

If you want to get a bikini wax but are uncomfortable with baring all, you can wear a skimpy thong and help the waxer work around it.

Preparing for a Bikini Wax

Do Not get a bikini wax near/around your period because the skin becomes extra sensitive/tender. Bikinis waxes hurt already so you do not want to add to the discomfort.

Do Not get a bikini wax if you have diabetes, a skin condition, or take Retinol or Accutane.

Do take an aspirin or ibuprofen like Advil (unless your doctor has told you, you can't take pain killers) before going. Since it takes time to kick in, take it 15-30 minutes before getting a wax.

Do trim down there. If the hair is too long, the pain will increase. If it's too short, the wax won't grab on. Normally, you only need about a quarter inch to a half inch to wax. You can shave it three week prior to getting it waxed or trim it a little before. You should definitely call the salon you're getting it at and ask about how you should prepare for the waxing. Some places will trim your hair for you but if you do it before hand, the process will go a lot faster.

Do exfoliate down there a little. This will help ward off ingrown hairs later.

Do Not sunbathe or swim 24 hours prior to the wax.

Do wear clothes and underwear that is easily washed or not important to you because wax residue can get on it.

Do ask the salon how long it takes so you can allot the time for it. If you want a less painful wax, consider spending a longer time. Some say a wax done in small patches hurts less and is more effective. Then again, some say a fast wax gets it over with and is less painful/uncomfortable.

Finding a salon

Waxing is a tricky business, especially down there. Your vaginal area is very sensitive. Also, waxing can cause irritation and ingrown hairs. These can lead to infections and other things (yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and in very extreme, rare cases, STDs). There are some scary (but rare) stories out there of women who got horrible consequences out of their waxes. These side effects are very rare but find a salon with them in mind to ensure a safe treatment.

Ask the salon to see the license for bikini waxing. The license may specify what type of bikini waxing the salon is qualified for so CHECK IT! Do not go to a salon which people tell you does good bikini waxes.

Visit the salon before getting your wax. Is it clean? Do they leave waxing materials or other debris lying around? Do the waxers wash their hands/wear gloves? The seat/lounge in which the waxes are performed, are they covered by clean paper/sheets and changed for each person? Do they use new waxing applicators for each customer?

Ask about experience. A novice can do small mistakes that can lead to big problems. Ask the salon who has the most experience and how long the waxers have been working.

If you see people leaving the salon or know someone who went there, ask (politely as it is a bit of a private thing) how their experience was.

If the salon people get annoyed by all your questions, then it's definitely not the place to go. Any reputable and self respecting salon will want to ensure their customers of the hygienic care they will get.

Getting the bikini wax

You'll be in a private, enclosed space (sometimes your own room or a curtained space). You can remove your bottoms or ask the technician if she can work around a skimpy pair of underwear.

The technician should be experienced and also friendly so she'll put you at ease.

The wax will work from front to back. The technician will probably ask you to move this way and that to reach all the places. Hot wax (if it's too hot or burning, voice your opinion immediately. Too hot wax can hurt your skin) is spread on the hair and skin. Then, a cloth is pressed into it. Once it's cooled, the cloth will be pulled off in the opposite direction of hair growth. One spot is not suppose to be waxed more than once. If there are any stray hairs, the technician will tweeze it for you.

After the wax is done, a soother will be applied to the area.

Ask your technician what to do for aftercare.

After the Bikini Wax

Your wax should leave the area sensitive. Do not sunbathe or go swimming for a couple of days. There maybe irritation so ice might lessen the pain. If there are ingrown hairs, get an antibacterial cream to ward off infection. You can also GENTLY exfoliate the skin to stop ingrown hairs.

There are creams/lotions/etc on the market for after bikini waxes. Invest in those to keep your wax safe and healthy.

Hope this helps!