The Hairy Story:
We all know that we’ve descended from the apes and that apes are hairy creatures. Perhaps to forget this fact we prefer to have no hair on any part of the body excepting the head. Though we do not talk about this body hair, we have nevertheless discovered many ways to remove it. There are different hair removal methods to get rid of this hair either on our face, limbs, armpits. Each person chooses the best method that works for them depending on cost, skin type, time and availability of method.
Hair Removal by Shaving
Shaving is the most popular but temporary method of hair removal because it merely cuts the hair off at the skin surface. Men shave their facial and armpits hair. Women generally shave their legs come skirt season in summer time.
Physical Hair Removal
This is the next most popular method of pulling hair out from their roots. The hair grows back slower and does not affect its texture. However repeated often it can stunt the growth of hair or it may not grow back at all.
Plucking
Most women pluck their eyebrows or facial hair, it takes time and may cause pain. Also the hair needs to be long enough to be gripped by the tweezers.
Waxing
This is used to pull out large amounts of hair at once, like on arms and legs. Sticky wax is applied to the skin surface, allowed to cool if warm, and set firmly on skin, a piece of cloth is then pressed firmly onto it and pulled back in opposite direction, thus pulling out hair from the follicles.
Sugar Waxing
This process is similar to regular waxing except that a sugary paste is applied to the skin. A strip of cloth is pressed against it which latches on to the hair, and then pulled off in the opposite direction taking the hair out from the follicles.
Hair Removal with Depilatories
Hair is literally melted away in this process. Depilatories have a chemical called thioglycolate mixed with sodium hydroxide or calcium hydroxide, which disrupts disulfide bonds holding the skin and hair cells together. This is applied to the hairy area and left for 5 to 15 minutes. After that the melted hair is wiped off to give smooth skin.
Hair Removal with Electrolysis
Electrolysis burns the hair root thus stopping the hair growth completely. A fine needle is inserted into the hair follicle and an electrical current is passed to the follicle root. Each hair follicle must be treated individually and may take several treatments to destroy the follicle. Electrolysis is a permanent form of hair removal.
Hair Removal with Laser
Laser treatment retards the growth of hair. Lasers emitting light at different wavelengths energy and pulse is passed over the skin. It burns the melanin and hair is burnt off from skin. Since it darkens the skin it is recommended for fair skinned people with dark hair.
Hair Removal with Vaniqa
Vaniqa is a regular application on skin to reduce facial hair growth. It is available by prescription only. Its active ingredient eflornithine hydrochloride inhibits the enzyme that is needed for cell reproduction for hair growth. It shows results only after 5 to 7 weeks and has to be applied regularly until hair growth is unwanted.
As you can see, there are several hair removal methods. We recommend you consult with professionals and choose an appropriate method.