What Hair Removal Product to Use?

Though the choices are vast, but if you ask the right questions and keep a few factors in mind, you should be able to find the right solution for yourself. An important factor which aids in deciding which hair removal product to use is the body part from where the hair is to be removed.

You need to be sure about your budget range, how long you want the clean neat look to last and your comfort level with certain procedures (i.e. electrolysis, waxing, laser hair removal, etc). The other factors to be kept in mind are the cost, safety, effectiveness, and ease of use of the various hair removal methods, as well as the area and amount of hair growth to be treated. These will also help you to decide whether to go to a professional or do it yourself.

If you want to do-it-yourself, a variety of home-use hair removal products are available over the counter. These include shaving creams, foams, gels, waxes, chemical depilatories and electrolysis devices. Professionals at beauty and skin care salons and in dermatologists\' offices provide services like waxing, electrolysis, and most recently, laser treatments to remove hair.

Shaving Gels and Creams

Shaving is by far, the most common method of hair removal for both men and women. Men have been shaving their beards and mustaches for thousands of years, but the use of this technique by women started only after the World War I. In present times, shaving is used for legs and underarms. The use of the product for shaving would also vary with the body part you want to shave.

For shaving your head, you would use a different set of alternatives which would not be same if you want to shave your legs or your bikini area. For shaving your pubic area, it is better not to apply cream based hair removal products or chemical based products because there is a risk that their use may irritate the sensitive regions. Instead, it would be better to use a good old fashioned wet shaver and generous amount of shaving cream or gel at home. The types of razors also vary depending on the usage. There are both electric and hand held razors available. 

Hot and Cold Waxes 

Both cold and hot waxes can be used at home or can be administered professionally at salons or practices. Waxes for hair removal are effective because they remove hair completely from the root and the hair growth is slower.

If you are using hot wax, then you need to warm it before using it so that it spreads easily. The warm wax is then spread in the direction of the hair growth and a cloth strip is placed on it. The hair becomes embedded in the wax, which cools and firms up grasping the hair. The wax is then quickly pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth, pulling the hair out of the follicles.

Cold waxes come in the form of strips which are pre-coated with the wax. The method of usage is same as that of using the hot wax.

Depilatory Creams

Depilatory creams can be equated to a chemical razor blade. These are available in gel, cream, lotion, aerosol, and roll-on forms and contain a highly alkaline chemical--usually calcium thioglycolate. This chemical dissolves the protein structure of the hair, causing it to separate easily from the skin surface.

Sugaring

This technique is same as waxing, but instead of the wax, a solution composed of sugar, water and lemon juice is mixed together and warmed. This warm substance is then spread thinly over the skin, in the direction of hair growth. Cloth strips are then placed over the paste and pulled off in the opposite direction of hair growth. This method of hair removal is better than waxing as sugar tends to only stick to the hair and not to the skin which makes it less painful. It is also inexpensive and can be done at home.

Epilators

Epilators are electrical machines that look much like electric razors, except that they have rows of coiled springs instead of razors.