Hair Removal -
Waxing
The concept of waxing to remove body hair can be traced all
the way back to ancient Egypt. It was during this
period that the wives of Royalty and the well-to-do looked
at hair removal as a way to remain young and forever beautiful.
That concept has continued throughout the centuries and in most
regions of the World.
The official definition of waxing is: 'a
temporary method of hair removal which removes the hair at
the root. New hairs do not grow back in the waxed area for
three to eight weeks. Almost any area of the body can be
waxed, including eyebrows, face, bikini area, legs, arms,
back, abdomen and feet'. Waxing is not exclusively for
women though. Today's fashion trends have men waxing their
bodies for cosmetic reasons, and many athletes such as
bodybuilders and swimmers have been waxing for years.
Most waxes are made from a proportional mixture of
beeswax or paraffin, natural oils or fats, and a specially
designed resin to help the wax adhere to the skin. A
number of brands of wax add Vitamin E or other supplements to
help soothe the treated skin. If you think that you might want
to try waxing, the first step, whether you are a male or
female, is to decide if you want to use the 'hot' or 'cold' wax
technique.
The hot wax method involves heating the wax to a comfortable
temperature. A thin layer of wax is spread onto the area to be
treated in the direction of the hair growth. Once the wax is
cooled it is quickly torn off, in the opposite direction of the
hair growth, and the hair is removed with it. With the cold wax
process, strips of cloth are pre-coated with wax. You apply the
strips to the area to be treated, rub the strips in the
direction of hair growth, and then pull the strips off quickly
in the opposite direction. Although hot waxing techniques are a
bit more messy than cold wax ones, many people find that the
hot wax gives better results.
Post-Waxing Skin Care
An application of non-perfumed moisturizer to the treated
area can be soothing to the irritated
skin. Moisturizers that are fortified with Vitamin B
and Aloe Vera are also recommended. However, be sure to
avoid the following activities for at least 24 hours after
waxing to avoid possible complications:
- Sunbathing
- Swimming
- Using a Spa or Hot Tub
- Applying perfume, aftershave or deodorant to the treated
area
Waxing Safety Tips
Be aware of the folowing cautions that should be exercised
if you decide waxing is right for you.
- Always check to be sure that the hot wax is below scalding
or burning temperatures before applying to your skin.
- People with diabetes should consult a doctor before
waxing.
- Never wax over sunburned skin or peeling skin, lesions or
infections, moles, warts, skin abrasions, rashes, or varicose
veins.
- Never wax the eyelashes, nose or ear hairs, nipple hair,
or hair which is growing directly on the genitals (bikini area
is okay).
Bottom line - waxing is a great solution for the temporary
removal of unwanted hair. However, you will need to
consider your threshold for pain. Waxing can be
rather uncomfortable, and sometimes painful, during the
procedure. So if you are tough enough to stand a
little discomfort and skin irritation, this hair
removal method can be an effective and economical way to take
care of your unwanted hair problem.
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