Effective depilation at home: from razor to sugaring

Depilation at home helps solve one important problem for some girls, especially in the summer, when the maximum area of ​​the body is exposed. The presence of unwanted hair in visible areas creates moral dissatisfaction, and sometimes can lead to serious mental disorders.

Getting rid of such a scourge, and without even leaving home, can significantly improve your mood. It is quite possible to provide such a procedure, using both ready-made depilation products and traditional methods.

Why do you get rid of hair?

Getting rid of excess body hair is especially important in the warm season. Going to the beach, miniskirts, shorts, T-shirts and short-sleeved dresses require smooth and beautiful skin on the arms, legs, underarms and bikini area.

During the Soviet Union, in order to get a beautiful body, women most often had to use a razor . Currently, a huge number of other very effective recipes have appeared, the main advantage of which is that they can be made at home yourself.

Prevention of ingrown hairs

Many people still believe that shaving causes body hair to grow faster, thicker, stronger, but this is a myth. It’s just that, in contrast to such recently smooth skin, the new growth looks rather rough, and the ends of the hairs, which have not yet rubbed off on the fabric of clothing, are indeed thicker and stiffer.

But what can definitely happen after any type of depilation is ingrown hair - an unpleasant and often dangerous phenomenon. Some hairs that grow back after removal cannot penetrate the skin because keratin accumulates around the hair follicle. Inflammation may occur at the site of such a poor fellow caught in an “ambush.”

To prevent ingrown hairs, cosmetologists recommend exfoliating the skin with a scrub after depilation to clear the way for new hairs. But harsh abrasives can injure the skin, which already has a hard time after depilation. When hair is removed, the protective water-lipid layer is disrupted, which can cause the skin to turn red and sensitivity to increase. It is better to prevent ingrown hairs using acid-based products. And it makes sense to carry out preventive scrubbing a couple of days before the depilation procedure.

Hair removal methods

There are two ways to remove hair.
Epilation is a method of removing body hair in such a way that the hair follicle is removed. During the depilation process, only the hair shaft is removed, while the root itself remains under the skin. The first method is more effective because it makes it possible to remove hairs for a long period - up to three weeks. The simplest means for depilation at home is a razor. Before carrying out the procedure, you need to take a bath or shower to thoroughly steam the skin. Then apply gel or shampoo and shave off the hair; this should be done against the direction of hair growth. After completing all the manipulations, apply the cream.

Among the methods that allow you to remove hairs from the roots is a simple thread. With its help you can easily get rid of excess hair on your face, arms and legs.

To perform this procedure, it is enough to take two threads - their length should be 10 centimeters. The threads need to be laid parallel and then twisted with each other.

Then you need to apply the twisted threads to the place from which you want to remove hair and sharply pull the ends on both sides at the same time. The threads will unwind, catch on the hairs and tear them out. After finishing the procedure, you need to treat the skin with cream.

What is depilation

The definitions of hair removal and depilation are often confused, considering that these words mean the same thing. If epilation is the removal of hair from the follicular apparatus with its destruction, then depilation is the removal of only the visible part of the hair. Epilation will help remove hairs forever, and depilation is only a temporary measure to remove hair. Depilation techniques are available for use at home and require minimal investment, which is why they remain in demand.

The beauty salon will offer you laser hair removal, which allows you to maintain the effect of smooth skin for years. This is an effective way to remove excess hair, but it is expensive. Not everyone will decide to undergo such a cosmetic procedure. You can get rid of unnecessary hair at home. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Homemade cream

Depilation using homemade cream is quite economical, since all the necessary ingredients are at hand. There are several recipes for depilatory cream at home:

• 
  3 tbsp. l. Pour boiling water into a jar, add 2 tbsp. l. honey and sugar. Stir well and squeeze lemon juice into it. Mix well again until a homogeneous mass is obtained, then cover and wait until the mixture cools. Before applying the cream to the skin, you need to take a bath and cleanse it with a scrub. Apply homemade cream to the skin for 20-30 minutes. You need to remove the remaining mixture using a cotton cloth, then moisten it with a special cream.

• Another recipe: place 0.5 cups of water in a water bath and wait until it boils, then add 4 tablespoons of honey and stir thoroughly until the mixture is homogeneous. Pour the resulting mass into a jar and let it cool. Then you need to add a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice and stir well again. We do everything else the same way as in the previous case.

The essence of the problem

Most people don't need to explain that hair can grow where it is completely undesirable. With the arrival of warmer weather, the hair on women's legs becomes very noticeable and completely unattractive. But what should you do if you want to show off in a swimsuit on the beach, but not everything is in order in the bikini area? It is the desire to get rid of inappropriately growing hair that causes the need for procedures such as depilation and epilation.

Depilation at home

When choosing a technique for performing cosmetic surgery, you should understand the difference between these concepts. Epilation is the removal of hair along with the root bulb with the destruction of the follicular mechanism. This procedure can stop hair growth for a long time or permanently. Depilation is the removal of only the hair shaft located above the skin surface, without stopping hair growth. The most typical example of this procedure is shaving. Follow the link to learn how to choose the best depilatory product.

It would seem that everything is clear - we need to get rid of the problem forever, that is, epilate. However, in practice, a woman faces a number of difficulties. First of all, hair removal is a rather painful, lengthy procedure that requires a long recovery period, when precautions must be taken.

It has a number of contraindications and can lead to serious complications, and therefore is not suitable for all women. In addition, the cost cannot be discounted, and hardware methods of influence are quite expensive.

In other words, depilation, although it gives a short-term effect, is widely popular. Home technology only increases interest in this cosmetic procedure. Any woman can easily master hair removal techniques. Even facial hair removal at home can be done safely and effectively.

Also find out whether pregnant women can undergo depilation, read more here.

On video how to do depilation at home:

How to do depilation? The following methods are suitable for home use:

1. The classic type is shaving. You can use either a safety razor with a sharp blade or an electric version with floating knives and other “wisdom.”
2. Waxing . It has several varieties, captivates with its simplicity and accessibility, but is quite painful.
3. Sugaring, or sugar depilation . It is in many ways similar to the wax type, but is carried out using sugar paste.
4. Creams and other similar products . Refers to a chemical method based on the destruction of the hair structure.

The choice of method of exposure depends on a number of factors:

• localization of the treated area on the body;
• sensitivity and type of skin;
• hair thickness and stiffness;
• individual characteristics of the female body.

Traditional recipe using nettles

Few people know that you can make an infusion from nettle to remove excess hair.
You need to take 40 grams. nettle seeds, crush them, add 50 ml of nettle juice from the stem and 100 ml of sunflower oil. Infuse the resulting mixture for 8 weeks in a dark glass bottle in a cool place. One jar of the mixture is used for one procedure. The procedure is carried out as follows: one jar of tincture is filtered through gauze, after which it must be applied to dry, clean skin. Wait half an hour, then rinse with warm water. You can repeat this method 12 times every 2-3 days.

Do not use on the face or underarms. If this procedure is carried out correctly, you can get rid of hair for 5-6 months.

Brazilian hair removal

To remove hair in the deep bikini area, they most often resort to hair removal with Brazilian wax. It has been the most popular for almost 4 decades.

The peculiarity of this procedure is that hair from the pubis, labia and between the buttocks is completely removed. At the client's request, sometimes only a narrow vertical strip of hair remains untouched. It takes a specialist about a quarter of an hour to do this.

Performing Brazilian hair removal at home is difficult, but possible. To acquire the skill of doing this difficult work yourself, it is advisable to visit a specialist at least once in a beauty salon.

For the procedure to be successful, you should prepare for it.

• By the time you visit a cosmetologist, the hair in the deep bikini area should have grown by at least half a centimeter. Otherwise, the application will not be able to completely capture them.
• A few days before treatment, peeling should be carried out. This will significantly reduce the possibility of ingrown hairs forming.

• Since the procedure is associated with pain, people with a high sensitivity threshold should take a painkiller an hour before hair removal or apply local anesthetics to the intimate parts of the body 45 minutes before treatment.
• It is recommended to remove hair in the first week after the end of menstruation or no later than the middle of the cycle. During this period, the skin is least susceptible to pain.

Hair removal in Brazilian style is carried out as follows:

1. Having put on disposable underwear, the woman lies down on the couch.
2. The technician sprinkles the epilation area with talcum powder, and then applies strokes of warm wax using a spatula.
3. A strip of fabric is pressed onto the lubricated area. When the application has cooled, it is torn off in the direction opposite to hair growth. The procedure starts from the pubis and ends in the buttocks area.

4. After completion of the session, the treated area is lubricated with cosmetics that relieve irritation. In addition, it is proposed to design the remaining hair path (special haircut, coloring or tattooing with permanent ink).

Brazilian hair removal is performed every 3-4 weeks, depending on the speed of hair regrowth.

To perform Brazilian hair removal at home, you will need:

• soft wax;
• fabric strips;
• wooden spatula;
• tweezers;
• small mirror.

Let's look at the process of carrying out this procedure step by step.

1. Before epilation, intimate areas should be thoroughly washed and dried. In this case, the hair on them must be the same length that is necessary for the salon operation.
2. The wax is heated until it reaches a temperature that is comfortable for the skin.
3. Wax is spread on a small area of ​​the body with a spatula, and then a strip of cloth is placed on top of it, pressing it with your hand and smoothing out the wrinkled areas.
4. Without stretching the skin under the area with the application, remove the strip with one jerk in the direction of hair growth. To reduce pain, after surgery, apply finger pressure to the epilation site. As in the salon, the treatment is carried out starting from the pubis.
5. When cleaning is complete, use a mirror to inspect the skin and remove any remaining hairs with tweezers. Then rinse off any remaining wax with warm water.
6. To maintain the results for a long time, you can use a hair growth inhibitor. And to eliminate irritation - a herbal decoction or cream that eliminates irritation.

Wax strips

To make the depilation procedure easier, you can use special wax strips.
Before use, you need to hold them between your palms so that they warm up well, then the warm strips are applied to the skin and pressed well. After that, each of the strips must be pulled strongly in the direction against the growth of the hairs. The wax hair removal procedure is quite effective when used at home, the effect of its use can be observed within a month. The main advantage of this method is that it helps to remove not only excess hair, but also dead skin cells, making it more youthful, soft and smooth. The disadvantages of this method include the fact that it is quite painful and cannot be used if there are spider veins on the legs.

How to do depilation in intimate places

The pubis, external genitalia and perineum are the intimate zone. Experts recommend carefully preparing the bikini area for the procedure. You will need a special scrub that contains salicylic or glycolic acid. With its help, you can cleanse pores at home, soften follicles, reducing the pain of the procedure. Then thoroughly pat the area dry with a soft towel and proceed with your chosen hair removal method.

Depilation of the intimate area with wax at home

One of the effective methods for solving the problem of excess vegetation in sensitive areas is waxing. The result lasts up to 4 weeks. To reduce the risk of discomfort, waxing should be done after preparation. Exfoliate the skin, which will increase its elasticity and remove rough particles. Hair can be removed with cold or hot wax. The cold method involves the use of ready-made wax strips. They need to be warmed up in your hands, applied to an area with excess vegetation and torn off with a sharp movement.

When working with hot wax, you will need a spatula and fabric strips. Apply a thin layer of wax to the skin, smooth the strip in the direction of hair growth, and then tear it off in the opposite direction. All that remains is to get rid of the remaining wax with warm water. The result of the procedure lasts for a long time, over time the hairs become lighter and thinner, but the pain of the procedure and irritation after it are disadvantages that cannot be ignored. Calculate the temperature correctly - too hot wax can cause burns.

Hair removal using sugar

The easiest and simplest method of hair removal. Its main advantage is that sugar is a natural preservative, therefore it eliminates any possibility of germs and bacteria getting into damaged areas of the skin. This procedure is more painless than waxing. This method is good for removing hair anywhere, in the bikini area, on the arms, legs, armpits and face. The only condition is that hairs can be removed if they are at least 2-3 mm long.

To prepare the mixture at home, you need to take 1 tablespoon of boiled water, add 5 tablespoons of squeezed juice from one lemon and add 10 tablespoons of sugar. The resulting mass must be placed in a water bath, wait until the sugar dissolves and cook until the mixture becomes thick, stirring occasionally. The mass is cooked after boiling for about 7 minutes over low heat. It is important not to overcook the mixture; if it hardens too much, you will have to prepare the mixture again.

Waxing devices

For the hair removal procedure, the cosmetics industry produces a range of devices, accessories and skin care products.

Some make hair removal much easier, others can be easily replaced with other products from the nearest store.

In addition to wax, for the procedure you need to purchase:

1. A wax melter is a device for heating wax. There are separate models for cans and cartridges. Heating can be done in a water bath or in the microwave, but in a wax melter it is more convenient and safer. For home use, a device with a capacity of 400 grams is enough;
2. Spatulas - plastic or wooden spatulas for evenly distributing wax over the skin;
3. Hair removal strips. Made from non-woven material, available in the form of rolls and individual sheets;
4. Degreasing gel or lotion used before epilation. As a replacement, you can use any alcohol-based tonic;
5. Cosmetic talc for hair removal removes excess moisture, improves hair adhesion to wax and protects the skin from overheating. In addition to special products, you can use regular baby powder;
6. Wax residue remover. There is a special after-epilation oil on sale, but with the same success you can use regular cosmetic oil or even vegetable oil, for example, olive oil;
7. Moisturizer to relieve irritation after the procedure. The best option is products that slow down hair growth. They soothe the skin and lengthen the interval until the next epilation;
8. Mirror for hard to reach places.

Removing hairs with tweezers

Tweezers are a good tool for hair removal at home. This method is not suitable for removing hair on the facial skin of men and in the armpit area. To carry it out, you need to take ordinary tweezers and moisturizing cream. The skin must first be steamed so that it does not hurt too much, then with the help of tweezers, one hair at a time is removed, hair by hair. After the procedure, the skin is covered with cream. The result will last about a month.

Depilation methods

For waxing at home, there are several most popular methods and means. Girls have known about many of them for a long time, while some are only gaining popularity outside the walls of beauty salons. The most famous way to deal with excess hair is the razor. It is suitable for removing hair from any area of ​​the skin, but most often the razor is used only for depilation of legs at home, since the skin on them is the least sensitive and is less susceptible to rashes and irritations after such a procedure. You can use razors to treat any place on the body, right up to the face, but it has long been proven that frequent shaving can speed up hair growth, so experts recommend dealing with hairs above the upper lip or in the bikini area using other methods.

The main advantage of this method is speed, the ability to use it not only at home, but also while traveling. If you act carefully and avoid cuts, use special after-shave products to eliminate irritation, then the razor can be called one of the most convenient devices for home depilation.

Instead of shaving, when you need to remove hair for a longer period (a week), you can choose a depilatory cream or foam. It will not be so difficult to apply it to the skin according to the recommended instructions. This method is not suitable for those who often have allergies. You should also use it with caution for bikini depilation at home, avoiding contact of foam on the mucous area. In case of burning or pain, you should immediately remove any remaining product to avoid severe irritation or the onset of an allergic reaction. If there is no allergy, the product is excellent for removing hair in a variety of areas for those girls who prefer not to use a razor or not waste time making their own homemade harmless depilatory products.

Thread for home depilation

Thread is considered one of the oldest means to combat hair on the face and legs. It is convenient to use this method for correcting the shape of eyebrows, removing mustaches above the lip, hairs on the chin or neck. Before proceeding to delicate areas of the skin, it is better to learn how to properly carry out the procedure on the skin of the legs .

Before the procedure, you need to degrease the skin, numb it by applying a damp, hot, wrung-out soft cloth towel. The tool you use should be half a meter of strong cotton thread, the ends of which are tied together. The middle needs to be twisted in a figure eight 7-9 times. The twisted loops are applied to the face so that the hairs are between them, and then the index fingers and thumbs move both sides of the twisted thread. The hairs are gradually caught in the loop, after which the chain is sharply tightened, allowing them to be pulled out at once.

At first, the procedure is difficult, but then your hands get used to it, and depilation goes quickly. The procedure, which takes about an hour for the first tests, will subsequently take no more than 15-20 minutes. Dexterity of hands will allow you to remove hairs almost painlessly, and the next time they will most likely appear no earlier than in 3-4 weeks. This method also has its inconveniences. Firstly, it is difficult to use on large areas of skin. Secondly, hairs can grow in. It is best to use it for eyebrows or mustache, and armpit depilation at home can be done in other ways, of which there are quite a few.

Sugaring and depilation with honey

Sugar depilation is a method that is becoming increasingly popular. Initially, this was a salon procedure, but it is quite easy to do it yourself. There is no need to purchase any equipment here; the sugar paste is prepared on a regular kitchen stove. It is important to decide whether the hair removal product will be made from sugar or honey, after which you can proceed directly to the procedure.

There are many recipes for sugar paste; every girl must choose the right option for herself through trial and error. The simplest recipe includes sugar, lemon juice and plain water. This caramel for depilation should be prepared on the stove for 2-3 minutes with constant stirring. Classic proportions: 8 tablespoons of water per 1 kg of sugar, juice of ½ lemon. After 2 minutes of cooking, cover the pasta with a lid and continue to simmer slowly for another 40 minutes. Then cool and roll the resulting mixture into small balls, which will need to be rubbed into the skin in the direction of hair growth. Then the resulting caramel strips are sharply torn off against the growth direction. The most convenient way to see how to do it correctly is during the work of specialists. The sugar paste will cook faster 3-4 times, and the procedure will become less painful. The main advantage of sugaring is a small amount of damage to the skin, a long-lasting effect that helps to achieve smooth skin on the face, armpits, and legs.

You can try other methods of depilating your hands at home or other parts of your body. Depilation with honey at home is best suited for the summer period, since hairs are removed for a month - you don’t have to worry about having to look for an opportunity to get yourself in order on vacation days. This method is good for delicate bikini areas and above the lip, as it helps remove hair without unnecessary trauma to the skin. It is important to remember that this method is quite painful; you need to think in advance whether the achieved effect is worth using it. Some people refuse sugaring for these reasons, but the pain can be effectively dealt with using local anesthesia with creams and ointments. As with sugar depilation, the effect will last for at least a month.

The honey paste recipe is in many ways similar to the sugar version, but the proportions are different. Add the juice of 1 lemon to 1 glass of honey and granulated sugar. The components are mixed in a metal pan and immersed in a water bath, carefully heating to +38-40 °C, without bringing to a boil. The procedure begins by slightly cooling the resulting paste. It is applied to the skin in the direction of hair growth, a soft fabric strip is applied on top and torn off in the direction of hair growth with a sharp movement. You shouldn't be afraid to do this; slow tugging makes no sense and your hair won't be pulled out. If you don’t want to use these products, then you should pay attention to wax strips.

Waxing

Waxing at home is considered equally effective. This method is even more popular than sugaring, since when using it you do not need to bother with preparing a special mixture. You just need to buy a wax depilation kit and start the procedure. The sets are divided into different types depending on the area from which the hair is planned to be removed. It is important to use them strictly in accordance with the labeling; wax strips for the bikini area should not be used on the legs or face.

When waxing at home, you must adhere to the following sequence: the strips from the package are heated between the palms, then the protective backing is removed, and the sticky wax surface is glued to the leg. As in other options, you need to tear it off with a sharp movement against the hair growth, stretching the skin under it. An important condition: the strips must be heated very well so that the wax melts, otherwise they either will not stick to the skin or will not remove all the hair.

Using hardware depilators

These are special electrical devices designed for hair removal that can be bought in stores. They are sold with sets of different attachments, with which you can easily remove hair in all places.

Depilators can only be used on dry skin. On some models, special lighting is used to make the procedure more effective. After the procedure, slight redness may form on the skin, which quickly disappears. The result can last up to 6 months. It is easy to do depilation at home with a depilator, but their main disadvantage is that they are not cheap.

Application of wax

Wax has long been used for hair removal at home. This method even received its popular name – waxing. It is most optimal to use it when the hair length is at least 3 mm. To increase the effectiveness of the procedure, preparation is carried out. It is best to take a bath with essential oils first. Treating your feet with a scrub will help the wax adhere more tightly, and after exposure they will be smooth, with renewed skin.

Waxing can be done in 3 ways:

1. Using hot wax. The composition is heated to a temperature of 58-65 degrees and carefully applied to the problem area using a spatula. The wax is covered with a strip of fabric. After the substance hardens, a sharp tug of the fabric is performed. Hairs stuck to the frozen mass are pulled out along with the strip. In this way, you can perform depilation even in the intimate area, because... The hot composition warms the skin and makes hair removal easier. After the procedure, the affected area is disinfected and a soothing cream is applied. To quickly rehabilitate the skin, you can use an ice compress, best prepared from a chamomile decoction or a decoction of calendula flowers. More information about hot wax hair removal can be found here.

   
   Hot wax for depilation

2. Warm method. The wax is heated to a temperature of no higher than 35 degrees, which can be done in a microwave oven for 40-50 seconds or in a water bath for 8-12 minutes. The technology of depilation does not differ from the hot variety. After such hair removal, they do not appear for about 1-1.5 months.

   
   Warm depilation

3. Cold technology . This depilation is provided by ready-made strips with wax applied to them. Warming up is carried out by simply holding it in your hands, i.e. at human body temperature. Further manipulations are similar to the previous cases.

Read how to do bikini waxing at home.

Precautionary measures

Each woman will have to decide for herself which method is better to choose. You can try different ones, evaluate the results and choose the one that suits you best. Moreover, almost all of them are safe, simple and convenient for use at home. However, when carrying out the depilation procedure, you need to take some precautions. You cannot depilate if you have:

1. Skin damage.
2. During pregnancy.
3. Patients with diabetes mellitus.
4. If there is a fungus or herpes on the skin.
5. For infectious diseases.

Use with caution:

• For varicose veins.
• People with allergic reactions.
• People with hypersensitivity.

After the hair removal procedure, you also need to fulfill some requirements, for example, visiting the sauna, hammam or bathhouse for two days is not recommended.

If the hairs were removed using wax or a special device, it is not recommended to wet the skin over the next day.

If a razor was used for depilation, after the procedure it is necessary to moisturize the skin with cream: this is done in order to remove irritation. You can also apply a product to your skin that slows down hair growth.

Depilatory creams

You can remove hairs without pain and irritation using depilatory creams. The procedure lasts about 10–15 minutes: during this time, the composition applied to the skin destroys the structure of the visible part of the hair. The cream is removed with a plastic spatula, and the remaining product is washed off with warm water. If you follow the instructions strictly, the effect is pleasing to the eye - the skin becomes smooth and silky.

The disadvantage of depilatory creams is the duration of the procedure. You will have to sit in the bathroom while the composition acts on unwanted vegetation.

To reduce the frequency of procedures, it is better to choose formulations that slow down hair growth. The results after using such creams last for 3-5 days, and with regular use, the hairs become thinner and grow more slowly.

The only disadvantage of depilatory creams is their composition. In some women, components of cosmetic products cause allergic reactions. To choose the ideal depilatory composition, you will have to try at least 4–7 creams from different manufacturers.