New Delhi: Identify the hair removal method most suitable for you. Dermatologist, Dr Neha Goyal shares with Pooja Bhula the good, bad and ugly of different hair removal methods to help you decide what works best for you. Our desire for smooth skin and that ‘oh-so-clean!’ feel makes us go through the arduous task of hair removal. With new products hitting the market every second day, each promising to be quick, pain-free and efficient, and several specialists pitting new methods against the traditional ones to make a buck, it’s easy to get confused about what to believe and what to buy. We bring you all the dope, to separate myth from reality and make an informed choice.
Wax Works: Pros: Waxing is easy to do, inexpensive method that removes hair from the roots and lets you stay hair-free longer. The composition of newer options such as chocolate wax makes the experience less painful. Cons: It can give rise to allergies, acne or infection of hair follicles if your skin is sensitive. It can also cause darkening of underarms In rare cases, hand and leg skin darkens too. Myth: It removes dead skin and makes skin loose. Reality: Dead skin sheds on its own, when bathing and even otherwise. Waxing doesn’t make skin loose; the most common cause is photoageing caused by exposure to sunlight. Advice: Don’t pinch out in -growth; it will harm the skin more.
At Razor’s Edge: Pros: Razors are easy to use, inexpensive; shaving doesn’t require expertise and do not cause reactions or allergies. Cons: Injuries are common and you may have to shave once a week or more often depending on the pace of hair growth. Shaving can cause in-growth and pseudo folliculate if done incorrectly. Myth: Shaving causes hair to thicken and makes skin dark or green. Reality: The greenish or dark tinge is the colour of hair follicles. It occurs when one has multiple hair stubs. It does not happen with fine hair. Advice: Always shave in the direction of hair growth, avoid reverse shaving(against or opposite the hair’s growth)
Plucked to Perfection with Epilators: Pros: Depilation is safer than razors. It reduces chances of skin damage and is inexpensive in the long run. Cons: Unlike waxing, it can’t remove small hair, if waxing has a success rate of 98 per cent; epilating has an 88 per cent success rate. Advice: Don’t compromise on the brand. Epilators made of low quality can give you cuts and damage your skin.
Cream On: Pros: Hair removal creams are easy to use, inexpensive, easily available and do not require professional help. Cons: They work superficially, do not remove hair from its roots, and require frequent application (often more than once a week). Chemicals can cause irritation, allergies and darkening of the skin. Myth: People think it can cause premature aging or wrinkling. Reality: It’s only speculation, with no scientific proof.Advice: Test products on a small patch of skin before using them. Don’t use them on the sensitive skin of the face or genital areas. Creams specifically made for those purposes are available on prescription.
Laser and Light Effects: Pros: Laser and Lights enable permanent reduction of hair, with no chance of in-growth. They don’t leave marks or cause infections. They can be used to shape hair. Cons: They are expensive, unsuccessful on people with hormonal imbalance, less effective on light hair and won’t work on white hair. The procedure can be painful (depending on the machine used) and the risk of burns is higher for people with tanned or dark skin tones. Lights and lasers work the same way, but lights are less efficient and require more sittings. Myth: It removes hair permanently and can damage internal systems and organs. Reality: These methods only reduce hair growth. They require multiple sittings at short intervals initially and annual maintenance, subsequently. The treatments only go skin deep; hence there is no organ damage involved. Advice: As per FDA rules, you can opt for laser hair reduction after the age of 15. You shouldn’t do it when your skin has an active infection.
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