Hair Removal

Cultural standards and local fashions naturally vary, but the majority of women prefer smooth legs and armpits. The “bikini area” remains an area of personal preference, delicate skin and delicate sensibilities. Among women who prefer smooth skin, waxing remains the depilatory of choice—the least of all evils.

Face the wax facts: No hair removal tool or technique meets all the criteria for “best.” Arguably most effective, because it resolves hair issues once and for all, laser hair removal costs as much as a luxury vehicle, takes a long time, hurts a lot, and still falls short of perfection. Shaving, although the most popular method because most practical, irritates skin and frequently leaves nicks and cuts.. After-shave smoothness lasts only a day or two because razors only cut hair at the skin’s surface, and some hard-to-reach places never get the careful attention they deserve. New depilatory creams and gels work well, but they can irritate or burn tender skin, and they trigger severe allergic reactions in many women.

So, waxing would become the method of choice by default, but it earns the top spot on its merits, too. First, practice saying “ouch!” because it hurts. Waxing does, however, leave skin deliciously soft and touchable, and the benefits last for up to six weeks. A professional full-body wax can cost more than $100(US); spot treatments cost $25(US) to $50(US) each. Focus on the deliciously soft, putting the price out of your mind.

One Waxing Fundamental

Home waxes work well, and they cost very little, but you should not attempt the do-it-yourself home wax until you know how the professionals do it. Keep in mind that the procedure involves applying hot wax to cool, tender skin. If the wax gets too hot, you can inflict second-degree burns on some of your body’s most delicate areas. The procedure also involves allowing the wax to cool and harden so that you can pull-off wax and hair quickly, decisively. Clumsy wax removal can turn into a sticky nightmare, and it seriously can irritate your skin.

Let a professional do your first wax, and ask her to explain what she is doing and why she is doing it. Pay careful attention and ask lots of questions during each step of the process.

Five Waxing Essentials

• Do not wax if you suffer skin allergies, acne, eczema, or any other chronic skin disorder. Your dermatologist will recommend the best solution, or she may advise you to remain au natural until you have your skin complaints under control.
• Carefully prepare your skin for waxing. Wash your skin well using a loofah and pure soap—glycerin soaps work by far the best, because they contain no additives and leave no residue. Then, treat freshly bathed skin with a good toner, removing excess oil and conditioning skin.The best home wax kits include toner specially formulated for pre-wax treatment.
• Never wax immediately after tanning—either outdoors or in a tanning bed. First, style sense dictates you will tan better, darker, and more evenly if you sun after waxing. You probably are waxing in anticipation of debuting your fashion forward new bikini anyway. Second, tanning inevitably ravages the outer layer of your skin, and UV rays penetrate lower layers, too.

• Consequently, if you attempt waxing after sunning, you will tear away at least two or three layers of skin along with wax and hair. In many cases, women bruise themselves or leave open sores that take weeks to heal.
• Read and follow the instructions. Especially pay attention to the safety warnings. Although waxing follows the rules of common sense, timing and technique determine the outcome. If you apply the wax incorrectly, fail to leave it on for the recommended period of time, or do not remove it according to the instructions and diagrams, you may leave clumps of wax and hair stuck to your skin.
• Condition your skin after waxing. In fact, lavish all-natural aromatic lotions all over your exquisitely soft and smooth skin, restoring its natural moisture, nourishing it with vitamins and minerals, and protecting it against sun, wind, airborne toxins, and household irritants. Waxing leaves your skin vulnerable, and dermatologists recommend you protect yourself against bacterial infections and fungi, staying out of the swimming pool and hot tub for several hours after waxing.

Especially nicely waxed legs deserve high-quality everyday care. Many women enhance the benefits of waxing with high-quality moisturizers that contain chemical bronzers. New bronzers work well, gradually darkening skin without turning it orange, and nourishing skin while they beautify.