In one survey on the grooming habits of the average American woman, it was discovered that over the course of her life she will spend almost two whole months and over $10,000 in the pursuit of removing unwanted body hair. There are numerous methods a woman might choose for hair removal, some with more success than others and some with more expense. But whether one chooses to shave, wax, or laser the offending hair away, it is vital to a person’s health that they always do so in a safe manner.
From Razors to Lasers: The Cutting, Zapping, and Pulling of Hair Removal.
There are many more options for getting rid of hair today than was available to the average woman 100 years ago. Even with these new options though, hair removal comes down to three main techniques: cutting, pulling, or zapping.
Razors. Cutting refers to using a very sharp blade to cut the hair at the level of the skin, which in so doing also scraps away the topmost layer of skin. This results in a smooth feel that doesn’t last very long, with many woman complaining that they must shave again the next day.
Lasers. Electrolysis is a permanent method of hair removal, but it will cost you time and money. Experts recommend their patients come back in four to six week intervals for a touch up to stubborn hairs. This option is attractive to those women who would prefer to be done with the whole hair removal process.
Wax, Epilators, Tweezers, Threading. The pulling technique is that which grabs hold of each hair and pulls it out at the root. Threading, waxing, and epilators use this method. There is some pain involved although this does lessen somewhat after repeated procedures. Thankfully, this method does last longer than regular shaving, with some women remaining hair-free for up to a week. Unlike shaving, to wax allows more variety in the areas to be stripped, such as: the bikini area, legs, arms, eyebrows, and upper lip area.
The Dangers of Hair Removal: Waxing Can Lead to Big Health Problems.
When done by a conscientious professional who adheres to safe practices, a bikini wax is not a cause for concern. However, by the very nature of the process there are inherent risks that need to be addressed so that women can make an informed decision. The temperature of the melted wax can cause burns; the sticks used can pass diseases; the actual removal can tear the delicate skin; and the sheets of the bench can harbor communicable diseases.
This might make getting waxed seem like a terrible idea. It’s not, so long as you do due diligence and go to a professional who also understands these issues and has taken steps to protect against them. If you chose to not do the research for an appropriate salon, the worst case scenario is fairly bleak. Even a small tear in the skin is an opening for bacteria to enter. As you may already know, the human body is covered with bacteria. But if the wrong kind of bacteria enters through even a small tear in the skin, it can lead to problems such as a staph infection or even septic shock in the absolute worst cases.
A responsible salon will do the following to minimize these dangers. They will use disposable sheets on the benches, and one-use wood sticks for the wax application. The technician will make sure they pull the skin taut before pulling the clothe strips (which should also be disposable!) to minimize the risk of tearing. Finally, they will apply a special salve to help speed the healing process and will advise the client on the proper aftercare to minimize the risk of any adverse reactions. Clearly, it may be necessary to do a consultation first.
Studies suggest about 99% of women remove some of their body hair voluntarily. As many as 85% choose to remove their unwanted hair nearly everyday. Some methods carry more risks than others. To ensure your safety, do proper research before trusting anyone with your body, even the unwanted bits such as leg hair.
