If left untouched, armpit hair growth leaves the armpit dark and bacteria tends to settle in the armpits due to excessive sweating. This causes bad body odor and also drives people away from us. Let us look at some common methods and consider the pros and cons of each method:

Waxing

Waxing is a great method of armpit hair removal. This method is more long lasting than other methods and also takes away some darkening from your armpits. However it is slightly painful till you get used to waxing your armpits. As a rule, always go to a salon the first time you wax your armpits to see how you should do it. You may end up with a bad burn otherwise. Your armpits should be cleaned well with soap before you attempt armpit hair removal. The best time to wax your armpits is when your hair is less than 0.5cm long. The wax should always be applied in the same direction as the hair growth and the cloth should be pulled in the opposite direction to avoid irritation to the skin. Lastly, you should apply a moisturizing lotion to your skin after waxing since the skin on your armpits is very sensitive.

Shaving

Shaving is the most common method of armpit hair removal. It is fast, non-expensive, painless and can be done anytime, a perfect solution for your last minute armpit hair removal needs. The only disadvantage of shaving is that the results do not last long and hair re-growth is fast, growing back anytime between a few hours to a day. Some tips for a smooth shave are:

Shaving is best done after a warm bath as warm water softens the hair and makes it easier to shave.
Use a shaving cream or gel so that there is o friction and the skin remains moist and moisturized.
Skin should be stretched tight and if you are using a razor, shave in several directions for maximum results. Use a electric shaver that can be used with lotions or is provided with moisturizer itself.
DO not use perfumes and deodorants immediately after shaving to avoid irritation to the skin. Use powder or lotions for sensitive skin instead.

Other methods of armpit hair removal are the use of hair removal creams or depilatory creams and permanent hair removal methods such as electrolysis. Depilatory creams keep hair re-growth away for a few weeks and they are extremely simple to use. Always use a moisturizer after hair removal and chose the method that suits you best.

A hair removal cream that is very easy on the skin is Revitol. Read our Revitol review here.

What does threading involve?

Threading involves quickly rolling a twisted piece of thread back and forth across clean skin. Hairs become trapped in the string and are ripped out or break off. This process generally needs to be done by a professional, since speed and technique are important – although there are Khite kits out there if you want to learn how to do it yourself. Someone who has done the process many times can manipulate the string expertly, causing most hairs to be ripped out (rather than broken off) and causing hairs to be removed only from those areas they are not wanted. This process is most often used for eyebrows and facial hair.

How effective is threading as a hair removal method?

If nothing else, threading is a very interesting and effective way to get rid of facial and brow hair. Watching a professional at work is really fascinating, since the hands basically race across the face, threading and twisting the thread. In many cases, the aesthetician will have the string looped intricately around their hands, to better be able to control the string. Some salons now use machines that hold threads during Khite. This method is environmentally friendly and far quicker than tweezing alone. It is less expensive than waxing. Since many hairs are pulled so quickly, some women find that there is less pain that tweezing, partly because the whole thing is over so fast. Results last up to three weeks or as little as two weeks. If someone who is not very proficient attempts threading, there may be more broken than pulled hairs. The results in this case will last only days.

Will threading cause any pink and puffiness?

As with tweezing, skin may be pink and puffy after threading. A simple ice cube can help reduce the temporary problem. More seriously, infection and irritation can follow if area is not clean and hygiene is not properly attended to. Those who live far from metropolitan centers may have a difficult time finding a reputable practitioner.

Shall I choose threading or tweezing?

Hairchick highly recommends threading or khite to anyone who plucks their brows and can find a reputable practitioner of this technique. It is a truly unique experience and makes a twenty-minute tweezing chore a fun five minutes!

When your hairs are at least 1/4 inch long, you’re ready to use the Epilator. As with waxing, you may need to go over areas more than once to get perfect smoothness. If you have sensitive skin, you should avoid using epilators on under-arms and face areas. On the plus side, this is far less messy than waxing and it’s pretty fast. If you travel a lot, taking along these little machines is easy (many now come with travel pouches). Your hair will grow back thinner and sparser. Most ads for epilators claim that the pain gets less intense with use, but I think it still hurts. Everyone I know who uses these things still says it hurts, even after years of use.

Ouch! That hurts!

Unfortunately even the most effective and longer-lasting methods of hair removal do entail at least some degree of pain. You will need to find a reliable line of attack to deal with pain, since you will experience more or very much more of it, depending on how securely your hair is attached to your skin. A good way to deal with pain is to go over an area with ice. It is important to use epilators on dry skin (since they are an electrical device), so here is what I recommend:

• Take an eyebrow pencil and divide the area to be shaved into four-inch sections.
• Take some ice cubes in a baggie and run them over one section until the area is slightly numb, then very thoroughly dry the skin and your hands until no water moisture remains.
• Immediately run the epilator over the dry and numb area of your skin. Repeat for the other areas.
• This is the most effective way of getting rid of pain, but it is time consuming and messy, so when in a rush, you could just pop a pain pill (Tylenol, Aspirin, or Advil will do the trick) a few minutes before epilating.
• Once you are done, soothe irritated and puffy skin with cool water. As with all hair removal methods that involve ripping hairs out, avoid sunscreens and moisturizers right afterwards, as these will clog pores and make irritated skin even redder.

Is Epilation for me?

If you like the effects of waxing but don’t like the messiness or the salon visits, then YES, it sounds like epilators are for you!

So what’s the big idea?

The concept here is very simple: You apply bleach (often a chemical combination of hydrogen peroxide and sulfates) to the hair you want lightened. You wait for a specific amount of time (as indicated on the directions) and then carefully scrape off the goo and rinse your skin. The hairs turn pale enough to be virtually invisible. Better yet, the chemicals make your hairs even finer by essentially damaging them – so the hairs may get thinner and eventually even less noticeable.

Is a ‘patch test’ really necessary?

Yes. You need to do a patch test because you are using them on your skin, and likely on your precious face! If your skin becomes irritated then you may have an allergic reaction and should not bleach. I’ve never had any problems with irritated skin after bleaching, although there is a funny burning sensation with some brands.

What else can I expect from bleaching?

Once you actually get going, you may find the process time-consuming and messy. I have noticed that most beaching creams sort of harden and fall off in bits as they are working, so you should definitely wear old clothes and avoid walking around too much. Using small batches of stuff at a time helps keep it from getting too messy. Of course, there are salons that bleach, but this is more expensive.

How should I care for my face following treatment?

After you first rinse your skin, you will be a bit pink. I find that scraping the goo off gently and then rinsing very gently with cool water works best. I pat dry and avoid applying any other chemicals (moisturizers and make-up included) for a few hours, until my skin calms down. After a few hours, a soothing moisturizer keeps skin from drying out.

Should I bleach this summer?

If you are bleaching during the summer season, you need to keep in mind that if your skin tans, the hairs that you have bleached will be even more noticeable. So for summer, either wear a hat or try an alternative way of getting rid of hair.

I’m hot and rearing to go!

The gal who gets best results through bleaching is willing to follow directions scrupulously, passes the ‘patch test’ and has probably has pale skin. A big plus is that you don’t have to worry about hair growing back, and you only have to bleach once every two weeks or so, as hair grows back. A Lifesaver alright!

How does Sugaring work?

Much the way that waxing does: you spread the warmed mixture on the areas that are to be de-fuzzed, put a thin cloth strip over the skin, rip the cloth off and Voila – hairfree!

Short, sweet and pain-free?

Commercials and ads promise sugaring to be “virtually pain free” but it really depends on your pain threshold. The first time I tried sugaring was much like the first time I waxed: I was left teary-eyed, splotchy-skinned, and cursing. Those who have sparse hair, who are immune to pain, or who have waxed or sugared for a while may feel less pain. You can minimize the pain by sugaring after a warm bath (when pores are open) and by pulling the skin around a cloth strip very tight just before tearing the strip off. Ripping hair out by the root can still be painful, no matter how it is done. You may find that you have to go over an area a few times to get the same smoothness as waxing. This is likely because sugars don’t “stick” to the hairs as securely as wax does.

Is sugaring for me?

If you have sensitive skin or find cold wax too messy, sugaring may be your ideal method of hair removal. The all-natural ingredients are a plus for women who find they get irritated by wax.

Which body parts can I sweeten up?

The mildness of the ingredients in sugaring mean that it can be used anywhere and everywhere unwanted hair lies – under the arms, on legs, on arms, even the face and bikini line.

How long do the results last for?

Weeks. You won’t have to remove hair every day (something that can be very irritating). And like waxing, hair gets softer and sparser with repeated sugaring, making it easier to get rid of.

The verdict on sugaring:

Sugaring is less expensive than waxing, because the ingredients used to make the product are so simple. The real plus of this method is the clean up. Since sugar is water-soluble, you can just hop into the shower after sugaring and wash it all off. There also is no underwear-sticking-to-legs syndrome as there is with waxing. If you want an inexpensive, environmentally friendly, body-friendly, and effective way to get rid of hair, you should give sugaring a try!

There is never a better time to crack open a pot and get ripping. Wax your legs yourself or get it done at a Salon. Here are the need-to-know secrets to achieving that gorgeous leg look at home:

Get Hairy!

• Ideally, grow ¼ of an inch (6mm) of leg fuzz before embarking on this inexpensive, yet successful method of hair removal. Longer hair will give the wax more grabbing power.

Pick up your wax pot, spatula and cotton strips

• There are many hot and cold wax products to choose from. While cold wax is faster and more sanitary, hot wax is better at grabbing onto large amounts of leg hair and yanking it all out. Both give longer-lasting results compared with shaving: smooth legs for 3 – 6 weeks following the procedure.
• There is no need to buy a wax pot, spatula or cotton strips if you choose cold waxing. Cold wax strips are ready to be squashed onto your legs from the moment you open the packet.
• If you decide to use hot wax, heat it in the microwave or a wax warmer for as long as the instructions advise. Spread the wax delicately on your leg in the same direction that your hair grows in. Place cotton strips over the wax and rip it back fast the opposite way. There may be a need to repeat this in the same place a few times, until all hair has gone.

Whatever you do…

• Read the instructions on your chosen wax product thoroughly before getting started.
• Don’t have a bath before or after waxing- it makes way for a painful experience and the overall smoothness isn’t as good.
• Keep your legs away from the sun, swimming pools, seawater and moisturisers for the 24 hours following waxing. They all sting like a swarm of bees!

Still ouch?

• Don’t worry, any initial redness or sensitivity is your body’s normal response. The good news is waxing tends to become less painful if you do it regularly. Overtime, your legs tends grow finer hair and some hair doesn’t even grow back – ever.

Finishing touches for ultimate results

• Incorporate leg exfoliation into your daily shower routine. It removes dead skin cells and leaves your legs silky, soft and polished.
• Use leg make-up. It’s a Godsend. Spider vein treatment, as well as airbrushing and tanning products will dramatically improve your state of leg.
• Sign up to a gym and workout often for some serious leg sculpturing. A personal trainer will design a program especially for you. Perhaps even visit a sun capsule or sun bed while you’re there.
• Join a Pilate’s class. These stretching exercises help us stay in shape, toning our hips, buttocks, calves and thighs, and increasing our flexibility.
• Skirts. Wear them and throw away the stockings, and show some leg!

To be waxed or not to be waxed…

To be waxed or not to be waxed is a decision that boils down to personal choice. For some women, simply a bottle of shaving cream and a razor on hand is more than satisfactory.

Regardless of how we achieve them, sexy smooth legs are part of what makes us feel beautiful, liberated, free, and ready to take on the world.

Go get ‘em chick!

What are the effects of eyebrow waxing?

A-mazing! Eyebrow waxing is a very ‘in vogue’ way to get beautified -even though (I do have to admit) I was a little sceptical about waxing at first. Waxing of any kind can hurt because hair is being ripped from the root. Sure, tweezing may hurt too, but it’s only one hair at a time instead of a whole row of hairs. I was unsure of how much control you have in eyebrow waxing, since many hairs are being ripped out at once. And because waxing requires stray hair in the first place, I was worried that between appointments my brows would become unruly all over again. Well, having seen some of the waxed brows of my friends, I have to admit: I was convinced. It seems that eyebrow waxing takes less time and gives a more even result than tweezing. There is not that much redness or puffiness, the pain is simply momentary.

Tell me how it works!

Skin is cleaned very well to get rid any skin oils or make-up. Either hot wax or cold wax is applied over the part of the eyebrow to be waxed; a strip of muslin or linen is applied over the wax and massaged into the wax. The skin around the brow is pulled taut, and the strip – with the hairs stuck to it – are ripped off quickly. Often, a thin dusting of powder is applied over the skin to get rid of stickiness. If any wax is left, the area is gone over with another strip to ensure that wax does not stay behind to plug pores.

Home or salon?

There are wax kits for home brow waxing and there is brow waxing available by a qualified aesthetician at a spa or salon. As you have less control over the hairs being removed in waxing than you do in tweezing, Hairchick recommends you attend the salon, unless there’s someone at home who knows what they’re doing and can help – especially if it’s your first time. The good thing is that an eyebrow wax is among the least expensive procedures at a salon. Hot wax treatment is probably best you can stand the heat, since hairs often stick better to hot wax than to cold wax.

Please tell me there’s a way to minimize the pain!

Yah – there is! Try keeping the brow completely taut by pulling it with your finger or having your aesthetician pull the skin around your brows tight. You should avoid make-up, sunscreen, and in fact any sort of product on your face for a few hours after an eyebrow wax. This is because during a wax, very thin skin around your eyebrows forms little tears, so that make-up and other products can irritate your already angry skin. Worse, applying your regular products to your face may cause clogged pores, causing ingrown hairs or painful little bumps. The best thing to do is to keep your skin scrupulously clean after a waxing. If you are going somewhere, you can go over the area with an ice cube if you need to reduce puffiness and redness.

Hairchick’s decree on eyebrow waxing?

If you’re willing to risk a tiny bit of discomfort, brow waxing is an easy way to get professional eyebrows without spending lots of money!

How do at home wax kits work?

These kits contain a wax substance in a little container, a wooden or plastic stick for smoothing the wax, and strips for tearing the wax off your skin. There is a nice selection of hot and cold waxing kits available, and they range from fancy professional-style kits to environmentally friendly kits sold at stores such as The Body Shop. Hot wax kits have wax that is heated either over a stove or in a microwave. Cold wax kits come with a waxy substance that can be applied to legs directly. Waxing kits are probably best for waxing veterans, since it is easy to burn yourself (by making the wax too hot, if you buy a hot wax kit) or to leave the wax on too long (and have trouble getting it off your legs). You need to be flexible to get hard to reach spots, too. A good bet if you want to take this less-expensive route is to visit a salon for a few waxes and get some tips about waxing. Then, you will at least have an idea of the best way to proceed. Get the waxing kits designed for the area of your body you want to wax. Be sure to have some baby powder or talc on hand (to dust over waxed skin) and invest in a large roll of waxing strips at a beauty supply store. The first few times you try this at home, you will find you go through a lot of fabric strips (far more strips than are provided in most kits). Some of the less expensive kits also have strips that aren’t of the greatest quality and actually rip during waxing.

What about salon waxing?

Some women prefer to have their skin waxed at a salon. Although for most waxing newbies it is a little strange to have someone waxing their body for them, women find that getting skin waxed at a salon is, if not relaxing, then at least a lot less stressful than trying to wax at home. Expert aestheticians can make waxing hurt less, since they don’t hesitate when yanking at the strips. Best of all, they can get at every awkward spot on your body and will even tweeze the tiny hairs that waxing can’t get at. It is important to go to a reputable salon or spa. Otherwise, you may find yourself paying plenty (yes, it is customary to tip the person waxing your skin, too) and with skin that a plucked chicken would be ashamed of.

Which technique produces the smoothest result?

Both! No matter what method you choose, the basic procedure is the same: apply wax to part of the skin to be waxed, press a cloth strip over the wax, wait a few seconds, pull the skin around the strip very taut, and rip the strip off. The hairs glued to the wax on the strip get ripped out as well.

And the ‘Ouch’ Factor is…

Body waxing causes some “ouch” but also leaves you with perfectly smooth oh-my-god-I’m-a-sex-goddess skin for weeks!

So you forgot it was there – big deal, worse things happen. But on a similar note, honestly, how many times have you excused yourself from swimming – from putting on your own bathing costume, because you’re too embarrassed of what lies beneath?

Is ‘what lies beneath’ a fact of life?

Certainly not! If you’re tired of shaving prickly stubble on your panty line every second day, waxing is a viable option. While both methods of hair removal are relatively quick procedures that can be performed in the comfort of your own home, bikini waxing has cleaner, smoother and longer lasting effects.

How can it?

• As waxing is very common, most beauty salons and spas offer it. Book in a bikini wax with your next lash tint and brow shape.
• Find out if your local hairdressing salon offers waxing as a beauty therapy service. Some hairdressing salons have mobile or visiting beauticians.
• Look in the yellow pages for health farms, shops and clubs. Beauty therapy is often a key service in this industry.
• If you’d rather avoid exposing yourself to a complete stranger you could yank it out yourself. Try wax strips or a bikini wax microwave kit.

Is it the same as Brazilian Waxing?

Uh-uh. A bikini wax removes the pubic hair from your panty line, whereas a Brazilian removes the whole shebang (bar a tiny ‘landing strip’ on your vagina). It is not as painful as a Brazilian; both begin to grow back finer hair after 2-3 weeks.

Is it for everyone?

Unfortunately not. People who suffer epilepsy, skin disease, or diabetes should not get waxed. As people who get allergies easily may react negatively to this form of hair removal, a patch test is recommended to those contemplating bikini waxing.

How soon can I get my Bikini Waxed?

If your pubic hair is longer than 1/4 inch (6mm) … without delay! Either that or a couple of days before you go on vacation. Just make sure you don’t have your you know what. As your skin is super sensitive around the time of your period, you should wait until at least 7 days after your period stops before getting a bikini wax. A good option for those with sensitive skin is no bump treatment to help prevent bumps or ingrown hairs, which can occur after waxing and shaving.

If you are going to treat yourself to a wax, in order to avoid a waxing disaster and to get those sexy smooth results, there are a few things you need to know first.

The waxing menu (your selection):

• Hot Wax: This process 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.

The places to wax:

Basically any body part where hair sprouts. In no way is waxing just a woman’s domain – increasing numbers of men get their pubic hair, back, legs and even eyebrows waxed. Select from the links below to learn all you need to know about waxing specific body parts and related topics.