So who decides what unwanted hair is anyway? Why is hair anywhere but the head seemingly unwanted? Is it just a perverse fact that our bodies sprout hair where we don’t want them to? Is it all a big conspiracy, with companies making millions by convincing us that some of our hair is unwanted?

You may not think it matters – bring on the tips, you may be screaming. But think about it for a minute. How you look at your hair determines your approach to removing it. If you think your unwanted hair is a terrible burden, you are more likely to try the more expensive systems that remove hair for longer periods of time. You owe it to yourself to at least stop for a moment and consider it.

Are you getting rid of your body hair because you think it is disgusting? Are you just following trends? Some women may find that they are happy with a more casual approach to hair removal. Some women find that their body hair interferes with their activities – a bikini line that peeks out of underwear or that makes wearing a bathing suit uncomfortable, for example. Some women complain that body hair rubs against the fabric of their clothes and is uncomfortable. Some women find hair troublesome (especially along the bikini line and under arms) because it traps sweat and makes them feel uncomfortable.

No matter why you consider your hair unwanted or unsightly, you should consider your motivations for hair removal. Understanding why you want to get rid of hair may make you consider treatment options you had not considered before. If you want to get rid of your bikini line because you just don’t want hair visible when you wear a bathing suit, you may realize that you don’t need a Brazilian bikini wax after all – a less painful and time-consuming wax just along the bikini line will suit your needs. If hair irritates your skin and you are using harsh depilatories to get rid of it you may not be happy with your hair removal system because it does not accomplish what you really want – greater comfort.

What are the facts?

To help you sort out fact from fiction, take a look at the following facts:

• Laser treatment: This is one of two methods that is possibly permanent. It is most effective when done by a professional. Some laser types are more effective than others, so be sure to do some research before paying up for this expensive procedure. Also, no matter what anyone tells you, you will need at least a few sessions to get permanent results (some people never experience permanent results with this method) and some pain can occur if skin becomes irritated.
• Electrolysis: This is permanent, but only when done by a professional. It always involves sticking a thin probe or needle into the skin. There is always some pain because of the electric current used during the procedure. No matter what some salons may claim, you will need more than one (expensive) treatment for permanent results. NOTE: “Needle less electrolysis” is not the same thing as electrolysis and while it is effective as a hair remover, it is not permanent.
• Home Electrolysis, Transdermal Treatments, Laser Kits, Electric Tweezers: These devices can be painful since they generally either zap your skin or pull the hair out at the root. The results you get from these are not as good as what you will get from a salon, and they are also less expensive.
• Abrasives: These work by rubbing hair off, and they generally come in the form of a “mitt” that you rub over unwanted hair. Results do not last much longer than shaving.
• Hot Wax: This process is can be done either at home or at a salon. It works by having hairs stick to wax which is ripped off the skin (ripping the hairs out with it). The newest hot waxes are formulated to not even require cloth strips – they solidify on the body. Waxing is not permanent, although results do last for weeks.
• Cold Wax: Here is a hair removal system that works on the same principle as hot wax, but is a little less messy. Some cold wax kits come with the wax pre-applied to cloth strips – just press them onto skin and rip off.
• Sugaring: Similar to cold wax, but the product is made of sugars instead of wax. It makes the clean up much easier too, since you can rinse the sugar off. Keep in mind that sugaring kits should be less expensive than most waxing kits.
• Threading: This is best left to the experienced or a salon professional. A thin piece of string is rolled fast across the skin, plucking hair from the face and brows. It may be slightly irritating and results last up to a few weeks.
• Tweezing: Hair is ripped out individually from the skin using a pair of tweezers. It is best for small areas (like the face). It is not permanent, although some individual hairs can damage and then not grow back. Tweezing does not make your hair grow back thicker.
• Depilatories: Also called hair removal creams, these use powerful chemicals to dissolve the hair. Results are not permanent and skin irritation can occur with some brands of product. You can expect skin to remain hair-free for a few weeks. I personally use Revitol for my own regime, as it is hassle free and doesn’t cause me any irritation.
• Epilators: These machines have coils that grip the hair and pull it out. The results are much like waxing: fast and painful, skin is hairless for weeks.
• Shaving: Shaving is probably the cheapest and easiest method. It lasts for a very short time (usually from one day to one week) but it is not painful unless you cut yourself or create skin irritation. Contrary to popular belief, shaving does not make hair grow back thicker.

How sore can it be?

On a pain scale, some techniques hurt more than others:

• Hair removal systems that rip hair out by the root (using an epilator, waxing, tweezing, sugaring, threading): These systems can hurt quite a bit because they tear not only the hairs but bits of skin as well. These systems also sometimes cause ingrown hairs, irritation, or welts.
• Permanent hair removal systems like laser and electrolysis kill hairs by using electricity or laser beams. Both methods can cause irritation. Electrolysis hurts when electric currents surge through hair follicles.
• Some chemical and herbal approaches (depilatories or hair removal creams, hair growth inhibitors) can irritate the skin with powerful chemicals. Sometimes these result in inflammation or itchy rashes, so the correct choice of product is essential.
• Abrasive methods like mitts and kits that remove hair through scrubbing or rubbing the hair cause a lot of pain because they are basically fine-grain sandpapers. They rub the hairs off, but also rub off part of your skin as well. Save your skin and use sandpaper only for re-finishing furniture.
• Techniques that cut hair like shaving and trimming tend to be the least painful. When done properly, only the hair is cut and there is little if no irritation at all. Result: no pain. However, both methods may result in painful nicks and cuts. Shaving can cause razor burn, ingrown hairs, or irritation. Ouch.

How can I minimize the pain or gain some relief?

Before embracing the fuzzy look forever, there are a few things to do to give relief from pain during hair removal. Some women take Advil or Tylenol before painful sessions to give relief from pain. Drug stores carry creams that can give some pain relief (you can’t use them with depilatories, though). Numbing your skin with ice just before waxing or tweezing can bring some relief, too. Professional aestheticians have many ways of minimizing pain. If you find yourself very sore afterwards, you may like to try a different method. Perhaps not get a completely pain-free experience, but at least a bearable hair removal experience (as well as bare-able skin).

It is also possible to minimize pain by choosing hair removal methods (like shaving) that produce less pain. With waxing and sugaring, the pain is really not that bad! In fact it only tends to be momentarily painful as the hair rips from the root. The benefits of hair removal far outweigh any pain that may be felt – and generally the more you use a method of hair removal, the less pain you feel.

Last Thoughts?

My personal recommendation for pain free hair removal is using Revitol Hair Removal Cream. Read my review to find out why it was awarded ‘Editors Choice’ for best hair removal product.

Luckily, there are ways to deal with facial hair. If you have very fine but dark hair, consider bleaching. It does not remove the hair, but it makes it less noticeable by making it pale. It is only effective on fair skin. You need to buy a formula that is designed for facial hair and have to follow directions carefully. After bleaching, your face may sting for a bit. It can also be a bit red. On the other hand, the results will last for two weeks or so and the process is not expensive or time-consuming.

Shall I tweeze it?

Tweezing (or plucking) is one of Hairchick’s favorite ways to get rid of facial hair. Yes, this method of facial hair removal can hurt at first, but it is very cheap and effective. It does not matter what skin tone or hair type you have. Hair takes weeks to grow back and regrowth is soft. Better yet, you can tweeze almost as soon as hair breaks the surface of the skin, so you don’t have to be stuck with noticeable hair – not ever! To tweeze, you should use a good mirror and tweeze by a sunny window or under a bright light so that you can see what you are doing. If you are worried about pain, run an ice cube over your skin to numb it before tweezing. Having a bath or shower before tweezing also helps minimize pain as the heat opens your pores and hairs will come out much more easily. Whatever you do, start with a clean face. Tweeze one hair at a time and go slowly. Right after tweezing, your skin may be a bit red. You will probably find that once you have gone about your daily facial routine of cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and make-up application any redness or irritation will have vanished.

Shall I thread it?

Threading is much like tweezing, but it is best left to an experienced practitioner. It is a bit disconcerting to have threading done for the first time: the practitioner twirls a thread across your skin so fast that you are sure your skin will be wrecked forever. Of course this is not the case! Threading hurts as much as tweezing, but there is not really any more irritation with threading than with tweezing. It is a good choice if you are pressed for time or if you have lots of facial hair.

Shall I wax it?

Many women like waxing because it is faster than tweezing. It is best if you have lots of facial hair that would be time-consuming to tweeze. Be sure to go to a salon or buy a wax kit especially for facial hair and take care around any scars or birthmarks. You should avoid wearing face creams or make-up just after waxing, since your skin will be red and irritated. The results of waxing will last weeks and hair will grow back soft. The only problem is that you will have to wait until hair grows back a bit in order to wax again.

Shall I sugar it?

Sugaring works much like waxing. However, many women prefer it because it is less expensive and because the natural ingredients in waxing are easy to wash off with water. Results and technique are very similar to waxing.

…Or shall I just leave to a depilatory?

Some depilatories offer formulas that can be used on facial hair. While they are convenient and less of a hassle than many other hair removal methods, depilatories cannot be used near the eyes or other sensitive parts of the face. You have to be careful to read all the directions and do a patch test first, since the chemicals in hair removal creams can cause burns or other skin irritations. After using a depilatory, avoid putting anything on your face for a few hours – this will give your skin a chance to heal.

If you are considering using a depilatory, my recommendation is Revitol. I use it extensively and unlike other products is never seems to cause any irritation. It also includes a proprietary formulation to inhibit the regrowth of hairs.

Are there any methods of hair removal I should not use on my face?

You should never shave any hair on your face if you want baby-smooth skin – the stubble will look just awful. Leave shaving the face to men.

Bright eyed and bushy browed? The good news is, few things make you appear as glamorous as a well-groomed pair of eyebrows – they are the perfect targets for a quickie makeover that will instantly prettify your face. The bad news is that done wrong, eyebrows can make you appear frightening or old or frighteningly old – and there are few ways to hide the damage.

Eyebrow Shaping – So how do I get a perfect result?

First, take a good inventory of your eyebrows and face shape and determine the eyebrow style you want. Do you want a dramatic look? Do you want shaping to give you full eyebrows or thinner eyebrows? As a general rule, most faces are best with an eyebrow shape close to their original shape – only tidier. Some women do make dramatic changes in the shape and color of their brows, though – and look fabulous. If you want dramatic change, take your brows to a good salon or spa, or your results may be dramatically traumatic, not to mention long lasting.

Next, go “eyebrow shopping” in magazines. Find pictures of eyebrows you like and check out the face shapes of models who have them. If you have a round face, Gwyneth Paltrow brows may not be great on you. Find models that have similar features and choose a brow shape accordingly. As a general rule, you’ll find that women with round faces look best in arched brows that angle towards the top of the ear. Long faces are great with straighter brows, and oval faces look nice with brows that angle dramatically towards the bottom of your ear lobe. If you are changing the shape of your brow, take these pictures in with you to your aesthetician.

What if I just want to tidy my eyebrows?

It makes sense to take your first shaping to a salon. Yes, it costs extra, but eyebrow hairs that have been plucked take a lo-oo-oong time to grow back, and your brows are right on your face. If you have your shaping professionally “done”, then later pluckings are as easy as tweezing away any stray hairs. Plus, you can learn a lot about shaping technique from a professional.

I’m ready to go ahead and do eyebrow shaping myself … now what?

Start with a good pair of tweezers – this makes a lot of difference. You don’t need to spend very much (around $10.00). My personal favourites are gold-tipped ones; they grip well and they don’t rust. An old pair could leave you very frustrated just trying to grip stubborn strays and it could even break delicate skin in your eyebrow area. It’s a good idea to do your eyebrow shaping after a bath or shower – your skin is softened and pain is kept to a minimum. Prepare your eye area by using eye make-up remover to do away with all traces of dirt and oil. Use a brow pencil to trace the natural shape of your eyebrows. Then, sitting by strong natural light and using a magnifying mirror, start tweezing. Pull your brows taut when you are tweezing to keep pain at a minimum. If you still find yourself smarting, apply heat with a hot wash cloth or gently “freeze” the area you are plucking with an ice cube wrapped in a plastic baggie. Tweeze one hair at a time and keep switching between your left and right eye with each tweeze to get an even effect. Stick to hairs under and between your eyebrow and be sure not to do the shaping. This will keep your general, natural eyebrow line – you certainly do not want to encourage unruly growth.
It takes a while, but the effect is worth it. If you have long scraggly brow hairs, snip them – one at a time with manicure scissors – very carefully and only a little bit before tweezing.

After tweezing, use a gentle toner to cleanse your brows (make sure not to get any into your eyes) and take a look at the total effect. Use a shaping pencil or powder to make your brows look even more dramatic and defined. Sweep your eyelashes with a subtle blend of eye shadow and mascara, apply matching lippie, slip into your best party dress and you’re well on the way to a superb evening out! With a little practice, eyebrow shaping is easy, good luck!

What is his best option for permanent back hair removal?

For men who want to get rid of hair permanently, laser treatment is probably your best option. Although laser hair removal is expensive and is generally done in a salon, the results are permanent or at least very long-lasting (depending on the laser used and the individual hair). Laser hair removal can produce some redness and irritation, but in most people this fades really quickly, leaving very soft skin. There are also home laser kits available, which successfully remove back hair, but do not give permanent results – contrary to what some advertisers would like you to believe.

Are there any affordable options?

Yes! For men who don’t want to spend a small fortune on laser hair removal treatments, waxing or sugaring is best for back hair removal. It is long lasting and produces hairs that grow back sparser and softer. It needs to be done by a salon or by a friend. Unfortunately, men seem to deal worse with the pain of waxing than most women. Every aesthetician Hairchick has ever talked to has been able to supply her with horror stories of men coming in for back hair waxing only to sweat and howl through the whole process. For those who do not stand pain very well, Hairchick recommends pain reducing creams (available at drug stores) or Tylenol before a wax. Also, we recommend that men try using a hot wax if they haven’t before. Hot waxes tend to grip the skin very well, reducing the need for multiple waxings over the same area. Men can expect red and irritated skin a few hours after waxing. After that, they will enjoy perfectly smooth skin for weeks.

Depilatories are creams that dissolve the hair. They are a bit messy and some formulas are smelly, but they do work on back hair. Results last for about a week or three, but some of these creams can produce irritation. On the plus side, they are fast and inexpensive. I recommend Revitol, as it is not only free from irritation but also includes a growth inhibitor so that over time less of it is needed.

Should he just shave it off?

The fourth main option for men who want to get rid of back hair is shaving. Men who want to shave their back hair will need to get someone to trim their back hair first. Then, the accomplice should wet the hairs on the back and use plenty of shaving cream before carefully shaving the hair off. This is not a great option for many men because they need to find someone who will agree to shave them often. Stubble can also be very irritating on the skin – especially when a shirt or sweater rubs against the stubble on the back.

What else do men need to know before getting rid of back hair?

No matter what hair removal method men choose to deal with back hair, they need to take extra care of their bare skin. Since most hair removal methods cause at least some irritation, men should avoid wearing a shirt for a few hours after getting rid of their back hair. They should also avoid sweating at the gym or heading to the beach or pool just after getting rid of their back hair. The irritation caused by hair removal will be painful if the skin is immediately inundated with sweat, salt water, or chemicals.

How can I make hair removal affordable?

If you are on a budget, there are some steps you can take to reduce the costs:

• Decide how much you can afford to spend on hair removal and then stick to that dollar figure.
• Figure out how much you spend now and calculate how much other systems cost in real terms. That means calculate how much you spend on a system each month rather than what you spend on supplies. You may find that longer-lasting but more expensive systems are actually very inexpensive in the long run.
• Shop around. An online store may well have cheaper shaving supplies and waxing kits than the store you are using now. A local beauty supply store may well offer professional-quality waxing and shaving supplies at a discount. Check the local phone book.
• You could also try using less expensive brands at your store. Drug store brands are often just as effective (but much cheaper) than brands with huge advertising budgets.
• If you go to a salon, check to see if they have a loyalty program – you could get discounts if you give a salon steady business. Don’t be tempted to just switch salons because you find a cheaper one – make sure any salon you go to is reputable and clean. It’s worth the extra few dollars, if that’s what it takes.
• Try calling a beauty school to see if they offer discount procedures. Many schools and colleges that train aestheticians offer the public a chance to come in and get discount procedures (such as waxing). Not only are these procedures very inexpensive, but they help aestheticians learn their trade. In many schools, aestheticians are supervised by instructors, so you still get professional advice.
• Consider switching to a cheaper system. If you currently wax at home, try a sugaring kit that costs a fraction of the price. If you shave, consider using a depilatory, such as Nair or Revitol. If you are a fan of threading, try tweezing.
• Beware of scams that grab your money but still leave you fuzzy. Read the fine print of any new product you want to try. Better yet, buy travel or sample sizes first to ensure that you like the product. Research every new system carefully to make sure you do not get taken for a ride.
• Learn to be a pro at advertising lingo. If an ad uses terms like “virtually” or “almost”, the words just after that are weak. That means if a product claims to offer “virtually permanent” hair removal it is not, in effect, offering permanent hair removal. “Almost painless” means it is NOT entirely painless.
• Keep an eye out for coupons and discounts. If your favorite hair removal system is on sale, buy in bulk. My favourite is Revitol hair removal cream, which includes an inhibitor, and is currently being offered on a special where you can get two bottles free.

Following these tips, you can be hair-free and still have enough cash left over for a great outfit that highlights your smooth body.

Tip #1: Evaluate your needs.

On a piece of paper, write down the following information: where you have unwanted hair, how much extra hair you have, what sorts of hair (coarse, curly, dark, fine) you have in each area, how much pain you are willing to tolerate from a hair treatment, how much time you can spend on hair removal each week or each month, how much you are willing to spend on hair removal, and why you want to get rid of hair.

Tip #2: Evaluate your options.

Keeping your list in front of you, learn as much as you can about various hair removal methods (electrolysis, laser hair treatments, waxing, sugaring, threading, shaving, tweezing, epilators, hair growth inhibitors, and depilatories). Search for information from friends, books, aestheticians, reliable web sites, and magazines. Surf the net to check out specific brands, such as Kalo, Revitol and Shick, to weigh up the results you can expect from products versus your time and money. For each method, evaluate any risks as well as how it meets your needs. Don’t forget to consider your options for pain relief!

Tip #3: Look for reliable ways to discover hair removal information and procedures.

If you have the time, talk with a reputable aesthetician at a salon or spa near you. She or he will be able to answer your questions about hair removal and will help you find ways to cope with unwanted hair. Also try asking your friends for information about products and services they have found useful or terrible. Or you could just continue browsing www.hairchick.com as we aim to be as informative for you as possible! Whatever you do, be careful from infomercials that make inflated claims of permanent and easy hair removal. They may exaggerate the benefits of products, which you may find at a drug store or online for a lot less.

Tips #4: Consider using different methods for different areas of your body.

Shaving may be great for your armpits, but you will want to wax, tweeze, or epilate any facial hair. Using several different methods of hair removal on your body will not only give you better results, but will also save you time and money (since you will be using the best possible method for each area).

Tip #5: Experiment.

Try a few different techniques on a few different areas of the body. In most cases, finding the best hair removal method for you is a question of trial and error.

Tip #6: Realistic expectations.

Most methods require some patience, time, money, and experience. Most are at least sometimes painful and irritating. Don’t expect miracles. Instead, expect to find a system that you can afford, that is safe, and that you don’t find too inconvenient.

Last Thoughts?

My personal recommendation for hair removal is using Revitol Hair Removal Cream. Read my review to find out why it was awarded ‘Editors Choice’ for best hair removal product.