There are many ways to remove hair. Which one should you choose? How are the methods different? In this article, we'll take a look at popular home hair removal methods. If you want to get a lasting result in a minimum of sessions, take a course of laser hair removal from an experienced cosmetologist, then we recommend visiting Ola beauty centers.

Why can there be excess vegetation on the body?

Excessive growth of dark and coarse hair in uncharacteristic areas is called hirsutism and occurs in both men and women.

Common causes of hirsutism:

• hereditary factor;
  
• ovarian dysfunction (including polycystic ovary syndrome);
  
• ovarian tumors;
  
• drug hirsutism (taking testosterone, danazol, anabolic steroids);
  
• idiopathic hirsutism (increased sensitivity of hair follicles to male hormones).
  

In most cases, the cause is a hereditary factor, however, concomitant diseases must be excluded, and therefore, before epilation, consult an endocrinologist, gynecologist / urologist. The overwhelming majority of episodes of non-neoplastic hirsutism occur during puberty. Young women may also experience hirsutism after gaining weight or not taking birth control pills. Identifying the cause of hirsutism allows you to prescribe therapy - this can be a correction of hormonal levels, lifestyle, etc. Such a correction will make the result of any hair removal as durable as possible.

How can hair be removed?

All methods differ in stability, duration of the result.

Temporary hair removal

Simple methods can be used at home. As a rule, the effect lasts up to 5-7 days. Incorrect execution technique leads to the appearance of ingrown hairs, skin damage.

• Shaving.
  
• Mechanical depilation.
  
• Waxing.
  
• Shugaring.
  

Hair growth retardation, partial removal

Depilatory creams and low-power home laser epilators can reduce blood flow to the hair follicle, and in some cases even destroy it. The result is that hair grows more slowly and thinner.

• Depilatory cream (active ingredient eflornithine hydrochloride)
  
• Home appliances for laser hair removal.
  

We do not recommend using home laser epilators - they can cause burns. Creams can be used, but strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Hair removal permanently

Complete and irreversible hair removal is possible only with the destruction of hair follicles. The first 12-18 months after the course, rare supportive sessions are carried out to remove the awakening follicles, that is, passing into the anagen stage. 1.5 years is enough for all hairs to be in the stage of active growth, which means they could be destroyed along with the follicle.

• Electrolysis, thermolysis.
  
• Laser hair removal.
  
• ELOS techniques.
  

Popular home hair removal methods

Common methods of self-removal of unwanted hair are shaving, removal with wax, sugar, cream and a mechanical depilator.



Shaving

A quick, simple, cheap and affordable method, but also cumbersome: hair grows back quickly and the procedure must be repeated every 2-3 days. Frequent shaving is accompanied by permanent injury to the skin and hair follicles, which can cause inflammation of folliculitis, ingrown hairs and skin irritation.

If you plan on removing hairs with a razor, we recommend choosing a good men's shaving razor with 3-4 blades and a floating head.Such machines perfectly cope with thick and dense stubble on the face, and therefore, rest assured, they will show excellent results on any other part of the body.

Shave should be effortless - use gels, foams and always sharp blades. The fewer strokes of the blade over an area of ​​skin to remove hairs, the less irritation and the better the result.

Hair removal with wax

The wax can be made by yourself or purchased from the store. In the first case, you can be sure of the naturalness of the composition, in the second, you will receive care additives along with the wax. Most still use wax from well-known brands - it has a uniform consistency, anesthetics in the composition. Waxes are often equipped with spatulas for application, special non-woven strips for the most painless removal of hairs from the body.

The result of depilation lasts for 2-3 weeks. The method is suitable for almost any part of the body, even sensitive ones - the upper lip, eyebrows. It is important to cleanse the skin before and after the procedure to prevent folliculitis, i.e. inflammation of the hair follicle. Excessively hot wax can cause skin irritation - redness, tingling, itching, especially on delicate light skin and sensitive areas. After waxing, the likelihood of further hair growth, folliculitis and excessive pigmentation remains.

Wax is not used in the treatment of acne with a systemic retinoid (roaccutane) due to the risk of skin damage and scarring. Do not use wax on damaged, tanned, or dermatitis skin.

Sugar depilation

Sugar hair removal has been known since ancient Egypt. This simple and safe procedure is ideal for home use: apply a thin layer of warm sugar mass to the skin and remove with strips of cotton cloth (hair is removed along with the sugar mass). For example, old shirts can be used as depilation strips. Since the ingredients of the mass are natural and non-abrasive, the procedure is suitable for people with allergies and psoriasis, eczema, flaky skin and varicose veins.

After the session, the skin may turn red, which is normal. Redness, irritation disappear within a day. The method is suitable for all areas of the body, including eyebrows, upper lip, armpits, legs, arms, back, bikini area. The skin remains smooth for 2-4 weeks. The result may not be the best if the hair is very short and coarse.

Recommendations for the maximum effect of the paste:

• For epilation with sugar mass, the hair should be up to 6 mm. Longer hairs make the procedure painful.
  
• The skin must be clean and dry. You can use baby powder to keep your skin completely dry.
  
• Apply the sugar mass in the direction of hair growth in as thin a layer as possible. Use a spatula or spatula to keep the layer even.
  
• The mass is applied in a warm, not hot state. It is removed after hardening.
  
• The sugar mass should be of a uniform consistency, without water.
  

Mechanical depilation

Mechanical depilator - in fact, an advanced razor, as a rule, runs on battery power. At the end of the depilator there is one or more drums with many holes. The drums, when guided over the depilation zone, capture the hairs and cut them off or pull them out. In the first case, the method is not much different from shaving, in the second - the procedure is quite painful, leads to irritation, but also a more lasting result.

Depilation is painful. With a low pain threshold, an anesthetic is applied to the depilation area 20-30 minutes before the session.



Depilation cream

Depilatory cream usually contains thioglycolic acid salts, which dissolve keratin and cause hair loss. Chemical depilatories work well for hair removal in areas of dense skin and are not used on eyebrows, mucous membranes and damaged skin.

Manufacturers for different depilation zones produce different creams, all of them differ mainly only in the concentration of the active ingredient.Chemical depilation can lead to skin damage and allergic reactions. Carefully read the instructions for use and apply the products for a period no longer than indicated by the manufacturer. Allergic contact dermatitis from thioglycollates often occurs when the cream is used incorrectly.

Eflornithine-based creams are considered more modern, often referred to as the latest generation of unwanted vegetation. The drug has recently received FDA approval. Eflornithine does not remove or depilate hair, but inhibits an enzyme that stimulates hair growth. As a result, the metabolic activity of the hair follicle decreases and the growth of the shaft slows down. Usually the drug is applied 2 times a day, the effect is noticeable 2-3 weeks after using the product.