Hair removal
For some reason plaitable underarm hair is rarely seen as attractive, even on Julia Roberts. TheSite helps you get rid of any unwanted hair safely.
Shaving
Cheap and easy, but needs to be done every couple of days. Do this in the bath or shower using a foam or shower gel and a good razor. (Note if your razor is clogged beyond repair, or rusting, it needs binning or you'll end up with cuts and infections.) Shave in smooth down-up movements (i.e. ankle-knee, breast-head). Moisturise legs afterwards.
Suitable for: Legs, underarms.
Waxing
Oooouucccchhh. And again Ouuuuuuccccccccccccchhh! Now if that hasn't put you off, you must have heard of the promises of living three weeks fuzz-free. You may want to go to the salon rather than do it at home, so you don't bottle it halfway through. Waxing can leave redness, so get it done a couple of days before that hot date. If you do wax at home, read the instructions carefully first.
Suitable for: Legs, bikini line, eyebrows (if done professionally).
Depilatory creams
The major downside of creams is that they smell nasty, and this smell lingers both on you, your towels and your bathroom. They can also burn if you get them in the wrong places, they're prone to patchiness, and they need to be used every three days or so. Normally you apply cream thickly and evenly over the area, wait around five minutes, check a small area to see if the hair comes off, and if not wait a while longer (but no more than 10 minutes) before removing it all with a damp flannel. Read the pack instructions to be certain, and do a test patch first in case of a reaction.
Suitable for: Legs, bikini line, underarms.
Sugaring
This technique is supposed to be less painful than waxing, plus you can wash and reuse the cotton strips. Test a small area first in case of allergy. You warm the sugaring mixture by placing in hot water, when it becomes spreadable, apply it in the direction of your hair growth. Then cover with cotton strips and pull the strips in the opposite direction of hair growth. Results last a few weeks.
Suitable for: legs, bikini line, eyebrows (professionally).
Bleaching
Not a removal technique as such, more an effective disguise, bleaching lasts between 2 and 4 weeks. It involves lightening the hair on your face/ arms in much the same way as you would go bottle blond. Salon prices are normally only a few quid, so go see the professionals.
Suitable for: Arms, facial hair.
Electrolysis
A thin needle is inserted into the hair follicle before sending an electrical charge down to the base of the follicle, causing the hair to fall out. As each hair is treated individually this takes a few trips to the salon before they are all done, and leaves some temporary redness. Results are (almost) permanent.
Suitable for: Facial hair.
Laser hair removal
This new treatment deactivates the hair follicles by laser causing each hair to fall out. After a few treatments whole areas of the body can be left permanently hair-free, apparently. Works best on dark hair.
Suitable for: Most places including bikini line, back, arms, legs, underarms, face.
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