Picture the scene. You’re all dressed up and ready for that highly-anticipated night out. You thought you looked the part from head-to-toe, seeing as you went to the trouble of splurging on that gorgeous black dress. But the excitement quickly fades once you notice that some annoying little hairs have appeared on your legs. You could try booking a trip to the beauty salon but it would be difficult to land an appointment this late in the evening. Your only option is to find a quick solution at home. Figuring out which hair removal method to go with can be a little confusing. Let's take a look at some of the best ways to approach the issue. No matter which hair removal method you end up choosing, be sure to read and follow all label instructions carefully for the best results and safest experience.
Shaving
Shaving is one option for removing hair in a hurry. Using a razor, hairs can be cut quite close to the skin in a smooth glide. This method is suitable for most parts of the body, apart from the facial area[1]. But regrowth, typically 1-3 days, is relatively quick compared to other methods like waxing. It’s commonly advised to use a shaving gel or foam before applying the razor, to ease the blade’s movement across the hair and avoid nicking the skin.[2] When you shave hair you’re cutting off the soft tip so that it appears coarser when you touch it. For this reason, regrowth after shaving can sometimes appear thicker, and feel less smooth than it does after using other methods.[3]
Cold Waxing
You can use cold wax strips to remove hair from the body quickly and easily. The strips come with pre-applied wax which means that you don't need to spend time with a mixing bowl and spatula. The strips are especially effective on hard-to-reach areas such as the underarm or bikini line. Waxing has longer lasting effects when compared to shaving, with results lasting up to four weeks.[4] Make sure to let your hair grow at least ¼ inches long before you wax so that the strips will be able to grab individual hairs with ease.[5]
To use a cold wax strip, simplypeel away the adhesive cover and firmly rub the strip onto the skin. Pull the strip off in one swift move to remove hair.[6] Apply a soothing after-care lotion such as Aloe Vera to reduce any redness that may appear.[7] The beauty of cold wax strips is that they're mess-free and easy to dispose of once you’re finishing waxing. Any excess wax can be washed off the skin easily with warm, soapy water.[8]
Depilatory Cream
Depilatory creams are a virtually pain-free way to remove unwanted hair. And they work well in a hurry. The creams work by breaking down the keratin structure of the hair. [9] Sensitive versions of depilatory creams are effective for areas where skin might be more prone to irritation, such as the face. Veet® Hair Removal Creams with our specially designed Sensitive formula are enriched with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E, which are known for their soothing properties. Another upside to depilatory creams is that they can also keep regrowth at bay for a little bit longer than shaving. However, for more long-term results, you may want to consider waxing. [10]
Depilatory creams are also easy on the wallet when compared to costly salon trips. To use the cream at home, apply it evenly to the area of unwanted hair and wait 10 minutes, or as long as it states on the instructional leaflet. Wipe the cream off with a towel and rinse skin with water before patting it dry. Finally, you can re-apply cream to any areas that may have been missed the first time around. [11]
Whichever method you opt for, hair reduction need not be a nightmare. Shaving is helpful if you're hard-pressed for time as unruly hair vanishes with a simple glide of a razor. Cold strip waxing is an effective way to keep hair at bay for much longer. Another option would be depilatory cream which is a practically pain-free and budget-friendly method of hair elimination. Now that you've been briefed on some of the best ways to remove hair, you'll soon be ready to find the one that gets you out the door on time.
[1] http://hairremoval.about.com/od/threading/tp/how-to-remove-facial-hair.htm
[2] http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/tips/a20754/mistakes-shaving-your-legs/
[3] http://teens.webmd.com/girls/shaving-tips-girls?page=2#2
[4] http://hairremoval.about.com/od/waxing/f/How-Long-Does-Waxing-Last.htm
[5] http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/beauty/news-features/TMG4795623/Back-to-basics-leg-waxing.html
[6] http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/beauty/news-features/TMG4795623/Back-to-basics-leg-waxing.html
[7] http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7654/the-benefits-of-using-aloe-vera-for-skin-care-and-more.html
[8] http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/beauty/news-features/TMG4795623/Back-to-basics-leg-waxing.html
[9] http://www.skintherapyletter.com/fp/2013/9.2/3.html
