HAIR REMOVAL A close shave
To do, or not to do – learn the rules of home hair removal
WAX WORKS Waxing removes hair from the very root, which means its effects will last from three to eight weeks.
DO make sure skin is clean and dry before waxing
In order for wax to get a good enough grip on the hair, skin needs to be completely dry and free from any moisturisers or lotions. Melanie Franklyn, Nad’s brand manager at Sue Ismiel & Daughters, says: “Natural skin cells and moisture can reduce the effectiveness of the wax.”
DO wax in the right direction “Application of product and technique is often the biggest challenge that consumers face during the hair removal process,” says Franklyn: “It is important to follow the direction of hair growth, which isn’t always in the same direction on each area to be waxed.” Wax strips and formulas should be smoothed onto skin in the direction of hair growth and removed in the opposite direction in one clean swipe. This will ensure the wax grabs and removes as much of the hair as possible, and will help to prevent ingrown hairs.
DON’T worry if it’s uncomfortable Some people do find waxing an uncomfortable hair removal method,
48 Pure Beauty April 2012
but the pros far outweigh the cons, says Franklyn: “Skin is smoother for longer while over time the hair thins and becomes more sparse. (Depending on the individual of course)”. Waxing after exfoliating (and thoroughly drying!) will help to ease pain, as will ensuring the hair is short, so there is less pull on the skin. Others suggest popping an aspirin 45 minutes before waxing to help ease pain and reduce any post-wax inflammation.
DO exfoliate regularly following hair removal
Ingrown hairs form when the hair regrows back on itself or grows sideways into the skin. They can be unsightly and irritating, but are easy to prevent with regular exfoliation and moisturising.
CREAM OF THE CROP Depilatory creams dissolve the proteins in the hair so they break away from the skin. Results last for about as long as shaving, but regrowth is often softer.
DO remember to do a patch test As depilatory creams rely on chemicals to break down hairs, some people can have allergic reactions to them. Make sure you advise all your customers to do a patch test 24 hours before using a new formula.
DO leave the cream on for the required time
Buff away a small area to see if the hair is rubbing away easily, if not wait an extra two minutes at a time. Try not to leave the cream on for too much longer than the recommended amount of time, to avoid irritation.
DO disguise the smell Melanie Franklyn says: “The biggest disadvantage of depilatory creams is the
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smell that is caused by the actives working their magic to remove the hair.” Try lighting a scented candle to help disguise the scent.
DON’T forget to moisturise Depilatory creams are largely alkaline solutions, which can leave the skin feeling dry. To re-hydrate skin ensure it is moisturised regularly.
DON’T BE EPI-LATE Epilators catch and pluck away hairs as short as 0.5mm in length, and as they take them from the root they can deliver longer lasting results than shaving or depilatory creams.
DO keep hairs short Some women do find epilating an uncomfortable hair removal method, but this is often because they have not prepared appropriately. Ensuring the hair is short will help to reduce pain. The best advice we can give is to shave a couple of days before treatment, as this will ensure hair is at exactly the right length.
DO hold skin tight This goes for waxing as well. To reduce discomfort, hold the skin tightly and work the epilator in small circles, pressing hard against the skin (for waxing, keep the skin taught while applying the wax and strip, and while removing) as it helps to open the hair follicles and reduce pull on the skin.
DON’T forget about complementary products There are a number of cooling solutions that can be applied to skin to reduce the discomfort associated with epilating. Veet Pre-Epilation Comfort Spray starts to work
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