Hair removal – the complete Guide

We can never know for sure when people started removing hair from their bodies, as this practice probably predates written records.

Pumice stones could have been used by ancient people to remove unwanted hair, so the history of waxing may have started with our earliest ancestors.

We know that people in the Indus Valley civilizations, as well as those of the other great civilizations of the time (about 5,000 years ago), Egypt, China, and Mesopotamia, removed their body hair, and we know that the men shaved. Body hair would have been uncomfortable and unsanitary, so it would have been removed as it is today in hot weather.

When using and sharpening metal tools on flints, men, and perhaps women, would have made and used razors.

When people learned how to make threads, women used it to remove hair. For example, women in Pakistan, India, and the Middle East continue to practice threading (as it is called). It is called Khite in Arabic. Women use a thread to pluck another woman’s eyebrows, but it could also be used to remove leg hair.

Of course, people who come from hot climates do not have as much body hair as people who live in colder places.

The ancient Egyptians used sugar to remove unwanted hair based on the same principle as waxing. The paste used is sugar-based, and rose water can be added to give women the feeling that they are being pampered rather than experiencing a not very painless experience. It is not as painful as waxing, which is a more used method today to remove hair.

The paste adheres to the hair more than to the skin, making the removal of the paste and the hair more bearable. It is also more comfortable because the paste is colder to use than hot wax since it cools only at room temperature.

Since natural ingredients are used in the paste, it is better for skin health than waxing.

The ancient Egyptians brought hair removal to what we could today consider extreme since they also shaved their heads and later wigs.

Pharaohs (including Cleopatra) are also believed to have worn fake beards that transmitted a god state. There is conflicting evidence whether all of the women or all of the men removed their body hair, although they probably removed most of it.

Reasons for hair removal

• Part of the beauty regime today
• Cultural influences
• Religious reasons
• Medical reasons (before surgery)

Different methods of Hair removal

Many factors can cause fast hair growth, like hormonal imbalance (during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause), genetics, ethnicity, heredity, medications, or topical stimulation, e.g., waxing and tweezing.

To meet this need, as always, there have been many hair removal measures, some of which date back centuries of history.

1. Electrolysis

Electrolysis, the permanent hair removal method, is a highly sought after treatment by female and transgender clients. More recently, due to societal attitudes, the number of male clients is increasing.

2. Waxing

Waxing has been around since caveman times, but oddly the body parts we are removing hair from have been different over the ages. Removing hair from men’s heads and faces was originally not for vanity purposes but to survive.

During Elizabethan times, the practice of waxing (not of legs, armpits, or pubic hair), eyebrows, and forehead hair to give the appearance of a longer forehead and forehead was all the rage. It is surprising to note the obvious influence that ‘fashion’ has played in hair removal from the start.

3. Shaving

Egyptian women removed their hair from their heads, and both sexes considered pubic hair! The ancient Egyptians used a form of the razor made from flint or bronze since the razor was not invented until the 1760s by the French barber, Jean Jacques Perret.

4. Sugaring

A sticky paste (sometimes beeswax was used) would be applied to the skin, a strip of cloth was pressed onto the wax, and plucked, the equivalent of current hair removal. The wealthy women of the Roman Empire would remove their body hair with pumice stones, razors, tongs, and pasta.

5. Threading

Another technique called threading was also used and has recently seen a resurgence in popularity. A thin rope or string would be placed through the fingers of both hands. This repetitive process captured the hair and pinched, ripped, or pulled out the unwanted hair.

New hair removal devices seem to appear as buses every 20 minutes or so!

Waxing, sugar, depilatory creams, bleaching, shaving, sugar, plucking, threading, and even battery-powered tweezers, multiple hair removal systems, are temporary methods that many people try.

As technology advanced, with it, there seem to be some dubious and restricted methods of hair removal:

• Electric tweezers
• Transversal electrolysis
• Microwaves

These are methods with no established data on their effectiveness.

Hair removal methods are Permanent and Temporary

The English dictionary definition of “permanent” says: perpetual, eternal.

With this in mind, there is currently only one system on the market that can fully test ‘permanent’ hair removal primarily due to its longevity, testimony, and customer satisfaction, and that is electrolysis.

Invented in 1875, electrolysis offers permanent hair removal for all hair types and colors and all skin types. It continues used in hospitals by surgeons for trichiasis and other distortions of the eyelashes and supporting the hospital’s laser hair removal departments.

This method provides relief for the consumer with mild hirsute problems to the patient with severe hirsute problems and for the transgender patient who may require many hours of treatment.

Apparently, there have been confusing messages from regulatory agencies about the definitions of what the words “permanent,” “elimination,” or “reduction” actually mean in the hair removal industry.

It was agreed that if hairs that have been removed do not regrow for one year after the last treatment, a permanent reduction can be claimed.

Electrolysis remains to this day the only legally permitted method of claiming “permanent disposal“.

Newer technologies such as LASER

(Light Amplification Stimulated Emission Radiation) and IPL (Intense Pulse Light) were initially launched as competitors to electrolysis and initially marketed as THE answer to all permanent hair removal.

The truth is, while they have their successes, they also have their limitations: They cannot successfully treat all hair colors and types and all skin colors, and now they accept their limitations, and they accept electrolysis and electrologists for support.

The FDA allows lasers and IPLs to claim permanent ‘reduction’ but not permanent ‘removal’ of hair. The truth is that this new technology is brilliant for large areas and dark hair.

For grey or white hair, it just doesn’t work. The laser and IPL target melanin in the hair, and if the hair is grey or white, there is no melanin left in the hair for you to target.

In addition to this, for unknown reasons, not all hair reacts to treatment, and results range from 85% to 95% success. The remaining 5% – 15% of the hair will shed its melanin (hence it will look white) but still stubbornly grows. This leaves the only option from ‘permanent hair removal’ to additional electrolysis treatment to complete the job.

Laser and IPL are now recognized as a hair ‘management’ system, and clients are informed that it can regrow.

Photoepilator light energy 

The photo epilator light energy was launched in 1969 and was developed from research on laser hair removal.

Photoepilers use a burst of filtered light directed at one hair at a time. After the focus of light, the hair is clipped. Any laser and light instrument used in the device is directed against the hair’s blood and melanin pigments and warms them.

To allow this process, fiber optic probes were inserted into the hair follicle through which the light was illuminated.

There are no clinical data published to support any claim of permanence, and there is no established data on its effectiveness.

Tweezers 

This works by passing an electric current through the tweezers, which holds the hair to the skin’s surface by holding them for several minutes.

Electricity enters through the hair to its roots and claims to permanently damage it.

The scientific community has reservations since the claim that electricity destroys the hair root has no scientific support.

Transcutaneous 

Transcutaneous and transdermal offers “permanent hair removal,” but to date, no clinical data have been published to establish the claim that permanent hair removal.

In 1985, when AC electric clamps usage was discontinued, manufacturers made some modifications to the apparatus.

Adhesive patches were inserted in the place of cotton swabs, and the name was changed to transcutaneous epilation. It uses the idea of ​​direct current for drug delivery (iontophoresis) without the use of a needle.

A DC electrical current is passed through a conductive gel on the skin’s surface through an adhesive patch placed on it.

The hair root is said to be permanently damaged by the electrical current traveling to the hair follicle.

The laws do not support the claims made by manufacturers. Hair does not conduct electricity, but the skin does.

As electricity passes through the medium of low resistance, it will spread across the skin’s surface rather than through the hair. Therefore, as with the tweezers method, the argument that it will reach the hair root to destroy it has no scientific support.

Ultrasound hair removal 

It claims that ultrasound waves are precisely channeled through the hair shaft and, in the process, are transformed into thermal energy that superheats the hair growth areas and inhibits regrowth.

The waves are claimed to be attached to the hair shaft and not dissipate into the skin to avoid side effects.

Ultrasonic hair removal offers ‘total hair removal’ and claims to be the ‘next generation of long-term hair removal devices.’

In some marketing material, they say that it is “The hair removal solution” and that “no additional hair appears in the same follicle, which shows that it is a long-term treatment.” The FDA has not released the results to date regarding the latest device’s April 2010 market application.

Permanent microwave hair removal

Permanent microwave hair removal is one of the most unusual permanent hair methods, and its safety and efficacy have not been scientifically proven.

Microwave devices work similarly to those used in microwave ovens. Once absorbed, these waves cause the molecules for absorbing element to vibrate, resulting in the generation of heat.

Therefore, the skin heats up, and, in theory, thermal energy destroys the cells that grow the hair. However, microwave heating’s indiscriminate nature is its biggest drawback and is the reason for its limited use.

Medications

Some oral medications are effective in slowing hair growth. Spironolactone, flutamide, finasteride, and cyproterone acetate are some of the normally used medications to stop hair growth.

The main disadvantage of this is the side effects that these medications have on the human body. Therefore, it is always advisable to use them in consultation with a doctor or dermatologist.

Vaniqa is an FDA approved prescription topical cream. It claims that it helps in the unwanted growth of facial hair with its active ingredient, eflornithine hydrochloride, which helps reduce the growth of facial hair. It prevents hair growth by producing the enzyme that inhibits cell reproduction.

Reports show some improvement is shown, but only while taking the drug.

Hair removal devices

Hair removal devices that can adapt to you:

Shave

The shaver is a device used to remove hair and has undergone many variations and improvements over the years to make it more effective.

Shaving will provide immediate results, but the hair will regrow quickly in a day or two, however, and if you have sensitive skin, it is not suitable for you as it will cause irritation and breakouts.

Plucking or tweezers

This method is used to pluck unwanted hair from the roots, and this will slow down hair growth. It is generally suitable for use on smaller body areas such as the eyebrows.

It can also take a long time since you have to pull out a few hairs at a time and be quite painful, causing discomfort; This is not suitable for everyone.

Waxing

It has popular in recent years due to its long-lasting results. It is done by placing a wooden spatula into the wax, applying to the area, placing a strip, and then quickly pulling in the opposite direction of hair growth.

Hair takes longer to grow. You can do it yourself.

It can be applied to larger areas of your body, such as the chest, arms, legs, and bikini areas.

It is also quite painful, although it provides satisfactory results.

Laser hair removal treatments

Most laser treatments provide permanent results. It is performed by applying low-level laser light to the skin areas to remove unwanted hair; it involves multiple treatment sessions administered by a doctor before you can see the results.

These treatments can be expensive and probably cost you over a thousand dollars.

Manufacturers like Remington developed laser hair removal devices that you can use at home.

Light hair removal

Probably the best light-based device on the market is the Silk’n SensEpil hair removal device that uses light pulse technology for safe and easy hair removal.

This device removes hair without any pain from any part of the body through the photothermolysis process, where optical energy is used to stop growth by vaporizing the stem and follicle. This kills the hair root and ensures it will not grow back.

Unlike other similar products, this device works on larger areas of the skin to remove hair, making sessions less time consuming and can treat many more areas of the skin.

The results are not immediate, and you will need to use them multiple times before you can see the results.

It will give you a smooth and silky look that is desirable.

Procedures of hair removal

Whitening

This is the primary form of hair removal policy that is run around the world, especially for the fairer sex.

Black hair colouring is removed – this is the basic idea behind bleaching. This will induce the feeling of lack of hair in the eyes of others.

Whitening can be successfully performed only for specific body hairs (hairs on the face, limbs, and torso).

Shaving

This is another temporary way to remove hair. With the help of suitable instruments, one will be able to remove hair from literally any part of the body.

Keep in mind that if done incorrectly, it could cause cuts and abrasions, something that is not recommended, since the infection could occur.

Hair removal

This is a common procedure that is practised in many beauty salons around the world. Hair is extracted from the body using appropriate mechanisms.

Like bleaching, the process is limited to hairs on the torso and extremities. The procedure can be painful if it is not executed correctly.

Waxing 

Instead of using machinery to remove hair, it can be waxed. A specialized compound (common forms of wax) is subjected to the region (which needs to be devoid of hairs).

The wax is allowed to cool on the surface of the body. Once the wax cools properly, it is removed from the region.

This extraction procedure is delicate: the process must be carried out at lightning speed, and the extraction direction must also be taken into account.

Use of depilatories

Chemicals are widely used for this procedure. When these specialized chemicals are smeared to the region, it reacts with the hair and literally melts these hairs.

This is a painless hair removal method. In some people, these chemicals can induce allergic reactions.

Make sure your skin surface is not prone to such allergic reactions before undergoing these products; otherwise, intense burning may occur.

Use of electricity 

The term “electricity” can induce fear in some people’s minds. Electrolysis is carried out on the surface of the skin, particularly in the hair follicles.

Hair can be removed from the body surface permanently if this procedure is used. There are many disadvantages to this procedure.

It is best to consult a skin specialist before opting for this paradigm.

Cost of hair removal

At home, laser hair removal devices can cost around £ 40 to £ 1100, and you obviously get what you pay for with the more expensive models that have exceptional quality.

This may seem like a lot of money for what the system really is, but once you understand that you will need dozens of procedures and you may want to reduce hair on more than a single part of the body, then it is much more productive to wear a home-based system.

Even if you order one of the best systems and want to do some body parts, it is likely to be more affordable.

However, it will end up being the best value for using a clinic if you find yourself doing a small area and just have to have one or two therapies, and a home-use system if you want a much larger region to do it, or want a few limbs doing.

In most other situations, it is almost certainly less expensive to use a hair reduction system at home.

The cost of laser hair removal may be reduced in a clinic if you are receiving multiple treatments, so ask about the charge!

You may also feel more comfortable with an epilation expert; their devices are much more powerful than devices designed for home use.

Some quick math to show the benefits of home laser hair treatment systems. On average, you will need 4 to 6 visits at a hair removal clinic.

If everyone charges £ 10, for example, it’s already £ 50! Not to mention that if you need to do a lot of body parts, you will need to multiply that amount once again.

Of course, £ 10 was used simply to facilitate the task; actually, it would cost a lot more actually I just used it to indicate how the modest cost of a single procedure can be very misleading relative to the cost of laser hair removal.

But is it worth doing?

Hair reduction treatment; both at home and in the clinic, it is expensive, without a doubt.

However, the thing to keep in mind is that you will never have to waste money on things like razors, electric razors, hair removal solutions, and scissors ever again. Then you have the precious time preserved.

In my opinion, I spend no less than one hour of shaving weekly, which is 4 hours a month and practically 2 days a year. It accumulates over time and is one less topic to think about if you can forget about shaving.

Laser hair removal

There are many types of laser hair removal systems available for you to choose from when looking for a laser hair removal system.

Each laser hair removal system is different, at least in some way, from the next, and that is why it is so incredibly important that you really familiarize yourself with all the different options so that you are sure to make the right and best decision for you in the end.

Advantages of laser hair removal

• Laser hair removal is considered safe if done correctly and by qualified specialists.
• Most clients have reported long-lasting results and permanent hair removal.
• A laser hair removal treatment can be carried out on large areas such as the chest, back, and legs in one session.
• If there is new growth after laser hair removal, it will be much lighter and finer in texture than before.
• It can be practically painless compared to waxing and electrolysis as a means of body waxing.

Not surprisingly, hair removal laser is one of the world’s leading cosmetic treatments today. Over time, laser technology has undergone significant changes.

The treatment is safe and has practically no side effects. You don’t need to worry about pain because there would be none.

The procedure is non-invasive, and you can even take this treatment on your office break time as there is no downtime involved.

Best at-home laser hair removal

Home laser technology -IPL

With the rapid advancement of laser technology, simple laser procedures to remove unwanted hair have become easily accessible and affordable for everyone.

With home laser hair removal kits, more and more people can enjoy a more durable and convenient solution to remove unwanted hair.

Today, FDA-approved laser hair removal kits make it easier for everyone to enjoy smoother skin.

The Silk’n and Tria system are two of the FDA approved home laser systems that use true lasers to remove unwanted hair.

Both products offer the promise of safe and permanent hair removal. To do this, the products provide laser tools that gradually destroy the hair follicles to impair hair regrowth.

Pros

• One of the main advantages of laser hair removal is its ability to remove hair at its own time and make hair regrow less and less.
• The procedure also does not induce pain such as electrolysis, thick hair growth when shaving, and the fuss of hair removal.
• Compared to other similar cosmetic procedures, it is safe and has virtually no side effects.
• Home laser hair removal is also less painful than hair removal, especially in sensitive areas of the body.

Cons

• The main disadvantage of laser hair removal at home is that it is not suitable for dark skin tones.
• Today’s home laser machines can only be used on light to medium skin tones.
• The Tria system will only unlock and work if you read that the skin tone is within the acceptable colour range.
• With laser technology improving so quickly, it won’t be long before darker skin tones can use a system at home.
• For now, even if you have a medium to dark skin tone, it is best to opt for professional treatments.

Is laser hair removal permanent?

When you start thinking about removing unwanted hair, you have options that you can use, but you need to know which the best is and what they can offer you.

One option is to use a laser, and you will be wondering if laser hair removal is permanent. There are answers to all the questions you need somewhere.

You could keep shaving over and over again, wasting hours and hours or choosing other options.

You could keep making yourself a razor blade and keep cutting and cutting yourself over and over again. Spend your time shaving, or you can choose other ways to get rid of your hair.

One thing to know is whether or not laser hair removal is permanent or not. The best part is that you can get this treatment for what you would pay for the razors in about 6 months.

This is a great way to go if you want to get the body hair removal you’ve always wanted. You can get the treatment, and you never have to worry about shaving again. This is easy and very fast to do.

The other options, like waxing, are not as permanent as receiving laser treatment to remove all the hairs you have in unwanted places.

This is something you should consider, and you could do a spa treatment with all the pampering if you want to spend a little money, or you can do a type of appointment treatment that is more of an in and out type of treatment.

Is laser hair removal safe?

Like most cosmetic treatments, yes, it is safe, if performed by a licensed technician and if all safety precautions are taken.

There are very few risks associated with laser hair removal. The most dangerous part of the treatment is the laser itself and the effect it has on the eye, although any damage created by the laser can be easily prevented.

It is very important for both the patient and the technician wear protective glasses. Safety glasses or goggles will be provided on-site.

The different wavelengths of lasers determine which type of glasses should be worn.

Extreme safety measures must be taken, especially when laser hair removal is performed on the face since the laser works very close to the eyes.

In this case, full dark glasses should be worn to avoid damage to the eyes. Before the laser starts, you need to make sure absolutely no light comes in around the sides of the glasses.

Once the glasses are positioned correctly, be sure not to move or move them during the laser, as this can cause new gaps to allow the laser to enter.

In addition to the possibility of eye damage, there are minor side effects that can occur – including discoloration of the skin and minor burns.

Hair removal products

These products are specifically designed to remove body hair from the human body. These are used with different methods of hair removal:

Removing hair for a short period of time, at the skin level is called depilation and it’s done through:

• Shaving – with manual or electric razor devices
• Creams and powders – chemically acting to weaken and remove hair
• Buffing – friction movement

Methods that remove the hair from its roots, with results lasting for longer periods of time, and especially recommended for the summer period are what we call epilation.

This is achieved by using:

• Tweezers – metal medical instruments used to pluck the hair (mostly used for facial hair)
• Waxing – hot or cold, with strips of sticky combinations applied on the skin and then removed by pulling
• Sugaring – the application of a paste made with sugar and the same use as the wax. Check here the sugaring hair removal disadvantages.
• Threading – done with a thread across the skin

Types of hair removal products according to permanence

There are three main types of hair removal products available on the market.

• Temporary hair removal products
• Permanent hair removal products
• Hair growth inhibitors

Best hair removal cream

There are several websites where you can see reviews and comments on the products available in the market today.

Just be sure to check the ingredients contained in the cream to remove the hair you intend to buy. Also, find out if the company is offering a money-back guarantee in case it isn’t effective, or you have a negative reaction on your skin and need to return it.

The best depilatory cream can remove body hair without causing pain and leave your skin softer and smoother.

The benefits of using the best depilatory creams

• The best thing about using the best depilatory cream is that it takes longer for hair to regrow and less thick as opposed to shaving and waxing. This means that you will have to think about removing body hair less often.
• Using such products is beneficial for women who are always on the go, as it is easy to get rid of unwanted hair. Simply apply the cream to the target area, wait a couple of minutes (depending on the product), and then wipe it off with a clean, damp cloth or towel. This proves not only painless but also very convenient.

Disadvantages of using depilatory creams

• These products is that they tend to have an unpleasant smell, but the results far outweigh this minor downside.
• Another complaint is the burning sensation you would feel once the cream comes in contact with irritated skin or open wounds, but obviously, this can happen to anyone, regardless of the cream they use.

Best home wax

There are generally two types of kits available:

• hot
• cold

Hot wax needs to be heated prior to application. While the cold strips come with a coating and are more convenient to use, as they are ready to apply. You can buy any of these according to your preference.

Few tips can help you make a decision about whether to buy a hot or cold one.

• Area to be waxed: the hot one is more suitable for waxing larger body areas such as hands, legs, and back.
  Cold wax is suitable for smaller areas like the upper lips and face. Bikini waxing is a good way to remove pubic hair.
• Frequency: the choice of the kit will also depend on the frequency with which you want to epilate.
  Hot wax is suitable when you want to wax regularly. It is cheaper and can be used to remove hair from the entire body.
  You can also easily find recharge packages that help save money.
  Those who wish to wax occasionally can use cold wax strips.
• Convenience: Cold wax strips are easy to transport because they cause less mess compared to hot ones. It is always better to carry cold wax strips than to carry a complete kit. Read here: What to use instead of wax strips.
  If you are going on vacation, it is advisable to wax beforehand, as hot waxing can help get rid of hairs for at least a month.

Advantages of home waxing

• You can do it in the comfort of your home
• Reducing costs
• Reducing time lost with appointments
• You choose the brand and the type of wax
• You can do it any time you want

Disadvantages of home waxing

• Minor burns when using hot wax, if you are not careful
• Messy
• You might need someone’s help for areas difficult to work with

Electrolysis remains the proven method of permanent hair removal and many women, and indeed many men, have benefited from this proven and reliable treatment.

Electrologists are often privileged to witness a dramatic transformation in their clients, from a shy and introverted personality at the start of a course of treatments, to a confident and happy individual once treatment is underway and results are made evident.

Whatever your opinion about hair, ‘removing’ it in our Western society is a multi-billion dollar industry.

However, such a big money machine will have more than its fair share of misconceptions, misunderstandings, myths, and legends, none of which has much to do with harsh reality.

The big profit-led hair removal industry has a fair amount of quacks and scams, all drawn to the huge opportunities generated by the profits.