9 Essential Tips to Make Hair Removal a Breeze
9 Essential Tips to Make Hair Removal a Breeze
Hair removal, while not always the norm, has become a common cosmetic procedure today. Not all women prefer it, but if you do, you’ll likely agree that shaving can be both physically and mentally painful. Hair removal can lead to various issues, from skin irritation to ingrown hairs, which can be particularly bothersome, especially during the summer. However, don’t despair, as we have some simple tips to help you prepare your skin for hair removal and make the process as painless as possible. Whether you use a razor, wax, or epilator, these tips will make your life easier.
1. Start with a Shower
The most crucial step before hair removal is to steam your skin. During a shower or hot bath, your pores open up, making the hairs thinner and easier to remove without damaging the skin. Steamed and relaxed skin is less sensitive to pain and irritation, and the risk of ingrown hairs is minimized. So, spend some time in hot water and let your skin prepare for the procedure.
2. Use a Scrub
One of the essential steps before shaving is thorough skin cleansing. Incorporating a scrub into your cosmetic routine can change your hair removal process forever. Removing dead skin cells achieves smoothness, making hair removal much easier. Regular use of a scrub also helps prevent ingrown hairs. Remember to cleanse your skin before shaving, not after, to avoid damaging sensitive areas and causing irritation and redness.
3. Apply a Moisturizing Lotion
Hair removal can make your skin smooth but can also cause dryness and irritation. Therefore, we strongly recommend using a moisturizing lotion after shaving. It will hydrate your skin, provide it with necessary oxygen, and the healing elements in a good cream or lotion will soothe any irritation. Don’t be afraid to apply the lotion generously; give your skin time to absorb the moisture and receive the care it needs. To make shaving easier, use a special shaving foam, not just soap or nothing at all. These products contain moisturizing components that protect your skin from painful or unpleasant consequences. So, if you haven’t already, now is the time to get a good shaving foam.
4. Monitor Hair Length
Shaving or any other hair removal method can turn into a disaster if the hair is too long. We recommend starting the removal process when the hair is no more than 5 millimeters long. This way, you won’t have to go over the same area multiple times, causing irritation, and the process will be much faster.
5. Don’t Rush
The hair removal process shouldn’t take forever, but rushing can lead to cuts and irritation, which can subsequently cause infection. Also, the faster you remove hair, the more likely you are to miss a spot and end up in an awkward situation. So, take your time.
6. Take Breaks
If you remove hair using wax or an epilator, you probably know that shaving between epilation sessions is not a good idea. Even though the skin remains smooth for several weeks after epilation, try to avoid the urge to shave. The more you shave, the faster the hair will grow back, leading to ingrown hairs and irritation. Additionally, hair that grows back after shaving is much coarser than after epilation. Taking breaks between hair removal sessions is essential, regardless of the method you use. Your skin needs time to heal, and the hair needs time to grow back, ensuring a safer removal process next time.
7. Use Talc
To prevent irritation caused by skin and hair contact with clothing, use talc. You can apply it to your skin immediately after shaving or epilation, as it effectively soothes irritation and cools the skin during hot summer days.
8. Follow the Direction
The direction in which you move your razor or epilator is crucial for achieving smoothness. The best way is to start from the ankle and move upwards, against the hair growth. For the underarm area, a criss-cross pattern works best due to the area’s contours and hard-to-reach spots where hair can grow.
9. Choose Your Hair Removal Method
Even if your best friend praises her epilator or waxing advertisements seem tempting, you need to determine what works best for you. Everyone’s skin is different, as are pain thresholds, hair growth speed, and hair density. Therefore, it’s essential to find the most comfortable method considering your physiology. Shaving might be too painful if your hair grows back quickly, as using a razor can make the hair structure coarser. For dense hair, wax or an epilator might be the best options. However, if you have very sensitive skin, choose hair removal products with this in mind.
For more information on skin care, you can visit American Academy of Dermatology.
