If you are like numerous men and women who would like to get rid of unwanted body hair but don’t want to spend a fortune doing it, here are some different hair removal techniques you can do right in your home. Try them and see which one works best for you.
Depilatories
Before using any type of cream or lotion, do a skin test. This is necessary to find out if your skin is allergic to a product you want to use. Apply a small amount of the cream or lotion on a patch of skin and wait for 24 hours for a reaction. If the skin area looks normal, it is safe for you to use the product. To get the most out of depilatories, it is best to use them after a bath. This is the time when hair is soft and the pores are open. Follow the product application instructions down to a T! Never leave it on any longer than it says to. Use a watch or timer to make sure. If you have any irritated, acne or cuts on the skin, wait until they heal before using depilatories. Women use depilatories about once every two weeks, but the frequency of use still depends on how fast the hair grows.
Waxing
Waxing is a home hair removal technique that can be very painful. When waxing, make sure that the area to be waxed is completely clean and dry. The area should be devoid of lotions or creams. Apply the wax on the area in the direction of hair growth. Make sure the wax is put on thick enough to cover the hair. For fine hair, a thin amount of wax will do. For thick, coarse hair, though, more wax is necessary. Waxing is not recommended for hair that is less than 1/8 inch. Waxing can provide you with a month of hair-free areas.
Bleaching
Technically, bleaching is not a hair removal procedure. What bleaching does is actually lighten the hair so that it becomes less noticeable. However, before you take off and start bleaching, be aware that the bleach used for lightening hair is not the same bleach that is used for laundry! There are cosmetically approved bleaching creams that are safe for use on the body. Bleaching is often done to lighten the hair on the upper lip. Bleaching can cause skin irritation, so it is best that you test it out on a small patch of skin. Beware if you have dark skin as bleaching can produce an awful contrast between the hairs and your skin color. Bleaching is done every other week or so.
Abrasives
Those tiny hairs can be taken away by applying friction from a pumice stone or a unique set of gloves that are covered in a light coating of sandpaper. Rub the stone or glove over the area in a circular motion. Rub gently to avoid damaging your skin. Using abrasives results to mild inflammation and redness regardless of how gentle you rub. This home hair removal technique lasts for about three weeks or so.
Electrolysis
There are home electrolysis kits available in the market, but they are generally not effective at removing unwanted hair. Electrolysis is best performed by a professional who has the right equipment. However, if you want to try out this home hair removal technique, you need to buy a quality home electrolysis kit. For one, the needle or probe that comes with the home electrolysis kit must be blunt. Avoid home electrolysis kits that have electronic tweezers instead of probes. Before performing electrolysis, carefully read the label and warnings.
Apply a depilatory cream or wax on the area to be treated. Be aware that you will have better success at performing electrolysis if the hair is still in its growing cycle instead of being fully grown. Before using home electrolysis needle or probe, make sure it is sterilized. It is best to perform home electrolysis one small area at a time because this can be a tedious process. Mild swelling of the treated area is to be expected. Be aware that home electrolysis treatments are not permanent, so expect to repeat the treatment every two months or so.