DO-IT-YOURSELF HAIR REMOVAL: PROS AND CONS OF VARIOUS HOME METHODS

With summer just around the corner, it becomes imperative to eliminate unwanted hair and we often ask ourselves what are the best methods for hair removal in terms of pain / duration ratio. In reality, another factor is certainly not secondary: the cost, not always. In fact, if you are a fan of waxing at the beautician, you will know that the prices are not exactly cheap, especially considering that it is an expense that is faced several times a year, if not every month. That's why many women choose do-it-yourself hair removal: practical, fast and certainly cheaper.

But what are the most efficient and painless types of hair removal at home? Below we will try to explain it to you, taking into consideration the pros and cons of all possible hair removal methods, from razor to depilatory cream, to DIY waxing and pulsed light to do at home.

Hair removal with the razor: quick and painless but with fast regrowth

It is the fastest, most practical and cheapest method. Not going to eliminate the bulb of the hair, the hair removal with the razor will not last long and will have to be done again after a few days.

Shaving with a razor is more indicated on the legs or armpits, but it should be avoided in the groin area. The advice we give you is to always use a shaving foam which, thanks to the emollient principles, prepares the hair to be It is very important that the razor blades are always sharp, the less they are, the more the possibility of cutting you increases.

Depilatory cream

Quick, painless and longer lasting than the razor - about ten days - it is an excellent compromise between the available options. The depilatory cream does not eradicate the hair at the root but dissolves it thanks to salts derived from sulfur. If this is the first time you use it, remember to do a test on a small part of the skin to avoid the risk of allergy or irritation. Apply it on dry skin and wait for the exposure time specified in the instructions, rinse thoroughly and hydrate the skin well using a cream without aggressive agents or alcohol, preferably with a soothing lotion with a neutral or slightly acidic pH.

Pros: ideal if you have capillaries in evidence and in cases where you do not particularly love the razor.

Cons: regrowth, although not as fast as in cases of hair removal with a razor, is quite fast. Furthermore, the depilatory cream can be quite aggressive for certain skin types: the high pH can cause redness and irritation on particularly delicate and sensitive skin; for this reason it is essential to follow the times indicated on the package leaflet, and do not leave the cream to act for longer than the recommended period.

Depilation with the electric razor: fast and long-lasting

Compared to the razor, it is much more effective and lasts at least a fortnight. Almost all the epilators on the market are sold in very comfortable cosmetic bags, excellent for traveling. It is a hair removal method that is not suitable for women with particularly sensitive skin, because it can cause irritation. Although the advertisements always show a girl with a smile on her face, there is "it must be said that despite all the technological innovations, it remains a" rather painful option and we often find ourselves with small pimples or subcutaneous hair.

The advice we give you is to prepare the skin before proceeding with hair removal with an electric epilator. Scrub your legs to facilitate the elimination of ingrown hairs and rinse them with warm or warm water to open pores and facilitate hair extraction. Immediately after, rinse with cold water and moisturize the skin well.

Pros: hair regrowth is definitely slower than with razor and depilatory creams, especially as regards the hair removal of the legs.

Cons: hair removal with an electric razor is quite painful, best avoided in areas such as groin and armpits, which are rich in glands. It is difficult to remove shorter hairs and can cause under-skin (ingrown) hair growth.

DIY waxing: the most common and effective method of hair removal at home

It is undoubtedly the method most used by most women. Some choose to rely on the hands of the beautician, others prefer to save money and do it themselves at home. If you belong to the second category, the choice falls mainly between two options: hot wax or depilatory strips. If you choose wax you can use it for legs , groin, armpits and arms, being careful at the time of purchase, preferring the one that best suits your needs. If you are not an expert in hot waxing, the depilatory strips are the easiest to use, they are warmed by rubbing them between your hands, they peel off and apply. It is important to remember to wax in the direction of hair growth and quickly tear in the opposite direction. Before starting, dust your legs with talcum powder to make sure that the wax adheres well. Waxing is also the most suitable method in case you want to throw yourself into a total depilation of the private parts. A technique especially indicated for the most sensitive parts is the Arab waxing, based on sugar, water, lemon and honey and perfect to do at home.

Pro: it is certainly the method that allows the slowest hair regrowth, avoiding the unpleasant inconvenience of ingrown hair - much more probable with razor epilation. It is indicated in case of thick and thick hair. In the long run it helps to considerably weaken the hair, especially on the legs.

Cons: it is not very suitable in case of varicose veins and capillary fragility, both for the mechanical traction of the tear with cold wax and with the vasodilation caused by hot wax.

DIY waxing: the depilatory strips

Practical and cheaper than a wax from the beautician, the depilatory strips can be a good compromise to wisely dose effectiveness, economic price and lasting result. It is a rather convenient method that allows you to do it whenever you want. Comfortably at home.Thanks to new techniques and to the use of ingredients with strong emollient and soothing power, the depilatory strips can be less invasive and guarantee a more delicate and sweet tear. Also suitable for the most sensitive parts, such as mustache, groin and armpits.

Pulsed light at home: does it work or is it a waste? Opinions and advantages of the definitive hair removal

There are now many women who choose to invest in DIY pulsed light with specific devices with not excessive costs - in the "order of a hundred euros - that are easily found in supermarkets and electronics stores. But pulsed light is really worth it. at home? Just like for laser hair removal, opinions about it are a bit conflicting: the ideal phototype to act on is represented by the combination of light skin - dark hair, in other cases, where the hair is too light or the skin excessively dark, there may not be the desired results. In any case, DIY pulsed light represents a lower economic investment than treatments by the beautician or doctor, although it must be considered that the number of spots is not infinite, but after a certain period, it is necessary to buy back the lamp.

If you have particular problems with the other hair removal devices described above, it might make sense to try this path, also considering the lower prices compared to previous years.

Pros: if it leads to the desired results, it represents a considerable saving of time and money, considering that you can choose when to do it at home in your free time without going to the beautician and facing considerable costs.

Cons: it could actually reduce the hair, but not completely eliminate it, forcing you to buy back the refill to continue with the treatment. You will have to take care to respect times in which to do razor epilation to prepare the skin for pulsed light.

DIY hair removal at home: tips for a perfect result

In order to have a satisfactory result, it would be good to respect some precautions with any of the home hair removal methods described above. Here is a series of tips for a perfect DIY hair removal:

Avoid using dry razors, but use emollient shaving foam
Before hair removal, prepare the skin with a scrub: it will help eliminate dead cells and remove ingrown hairs
Avoid using deodorants, creams and soaps after hair removal, as they may irritate the skin.
After hair removal, moisturize the skin with a soothing lotion: sweet almond oil, coconut butter, fresh aloe and shea butter are perfect in this case.
After epilation, refrain from sun exposure and swimming in the sea or swimming pool.