Hair Removal Methods

Hair removal methods are now widely used and practiced in society. Body hair is a natural part of the human growth process, from the moment we are born, and till the day we die. Whether it is hair on the back, bikini line, face, or armpits, too much of it becomes a serious and annoying problem. Being that everyone is a unique individual, we all have different and varying degrees of hair growth, some more than others.

Whats considered to be too much hair depends on the person. Men and women are very self conscious about their physical appearance. So it is only natural that a person will become embarrassed or self conscious when they perceive themselves to have too much facial or body hair. The desire to remove unwanted hair seems to start in a persons adolescence and continues on. Men and women will research hair removal methods for the sole purpose of trying to attain a smooth, hairless face or body. Women in particular are under tremendous pressure to have a beautiful clear skin complection due to the media, and how it praises beauty and looks.

There are many hair removal methods available to those who want to get rid of unwanted hair. However there are only a few options to get rid of hair permanently. Let me give you a basic overview of some of the available methods. Each person should research and choose a method or combination of methods that works best for them. You must also consider your skin type, the cost, the time available and the area you wish to have hair removed from.

Hair Removal Methods

Shaving - Shaving is the most common hair removal method there is. Everyone who has ever had to remove unwanted hair has shaved at some point. Electric razors or blades are normally used to cut the hair off at the surface of the skin. However this causes the hair to grow back, very quickly. So constant shaving is necessary. Razors are not expensive , and they are portable and convenient . However there is always the risk of cutting yourself shaving.


Hair removal pads - Hair removal pads which are also called Friction Mitts or Sleeves have a rough surface which is used to buff away hair at the skin surface. They are good for use on the legs and arms. They are inexpensive, painless and can be done at home or on the go. However rubbing to hard on the skin may cause severe irritation. It is also recommended not to buy cheap pads as they give poor results.


Waxing - Waxing is a method where hot wax is applied to the skin, and a strip of cloth or paper is pressed into the preparation. The strip is then quickly pulled away, taking hairs with it. This procedure can be done at home an is very inexpensive. There are many waxes to choose from such as: Hot, warm and cold wax. Waxing is very popular and in demand due to it's excellent results. However this method is very messy and causes some pain, and should never be applied to the nipples or areas of the skin that are affected by warts or moles.


Sugaring - Sugaring is very similar to waxing where as a sticky paste is applied to the skin, and a strip of cloth or paper is pressed into the preparation. This strip is then quickly pulled away taking hair with it. This method can be used on most body hair; underarms, legs, pubic area. However this is not recommended for male beard hair. This method is inexpensive and painless and can be done anywhere.


Cream and lotion Depilatories - These methods dissolve the hair between 10 to 30 minutes after applying. There are gels, lotions, creams, aerosol and roll-on forms for men and women. These products also come in extra-strength formulas for men and women.These formulas can be used on most body areas. However there can be allergic or irritated reactions. So it is best to try these products before using them. Being that the hair is dissolved at the surface of the skin, the effect is similar to using a razor - The hair grows back thicker than before.


Electric tweezers - have a rotary head with rows of tweezers that pull hairs out by the roots. This can last from several days to several weeks. The regrowth will be finer. Tweezers are difficult to use on fine hairs.This method can be used on most body parts. Electric epilators destroy hair follicles and is considered a permanent hair removal method.


Manual tweezers - Metal forceps and tweezers are used to manually pull hair out by the root. The effects are longer because the hair is removed from below the skin. This method is good for pulling stray hairs and shaping the eyebrows. The results will last from 3 to 9 weeks. This method is cheap and precise. However it is slightly painful and extremely time consuming.


Threading - Threading is a method in where the follicles are extracted. Cotton thread is entwined with hairs on the face (eyebrows and upper lip) then is rolled along the skin pulling out the hair follicles. This method can be used on sideburns, cheeks, chin and eyebrows. It is fast and inexpensive. However it can cause itching, puffiness and changes in skin pigment.


Bleaching - Bleaching is use to lighten the color of the hair so that it blends in with the natural. It's easy to use and cheap. Results last for several weeks. This method can temporarily discolor the skin by removing a surface layer of pigmentation. Can cause allergic reactions. Can make your face appear old looking, and cause acne, rashes, stinging and burning.


Inhibitor serum - Hair growth inhibitors cause the slowing down of hair growth. The serum retards the growth of hair and is used after waxing. The serum can be used on all types of body hair. Effects depend on the type of hair and skin the serum is being used on. This chemical could cause allergic reactions.


Laser hair removal - Laser hair removal is the method used to destroy the hair follicles by applying a laser to them. This requires a few treatments. The results are excellent and the procedure is quite painless. The procedure has to be done by a licensed dermatologist or professional. This method is usually permanent and is very popular and in demand. However the cost is extremely high.


Hair electrolysis - This method is another form of permanent hair removal. A hair-thin metal probe is slid into the hair follicle through which electricity is sent to the follicle. The results are excellent and can be used on all types of body hair. The procedure is very expensive, painful, time consuming and can cause skin damage if not done by a skillful electrologist.



As you can see there are quite a few methods you can try. Look into consulting with a dermatologist before applying any of these hair removal methods.



MrFaceOff

Hair And Natural Hair Growth

Hair


Hair is a keratinized protein filament that grows through the epidermis from follicles deep within the dermis. The main component of hair fiber is keratin. When it comes to the length of the hair, it can be divided into three parts:

• The bulb - which is a swelling at the base which comes from the dermis.

• The root - which is the hair underneath the skin.

• The shaft - which is the hair above the skin surface.

There are also three parts in cross section, which are:

• The medulla - which is an area in the core which contains airspace and loose cells.

• The cortex - which contains densely packed keratin.

• The cuticle - which is a single layer of cells.
  

Hair types


Humans have three distinct types of hair which are:

• Lanugo - which grows on fetuses as a normal part of gestation and sheds at about 40 weeks.

• Vellus hair - which is very short, scarcely noticable and covers most of the body.

• Terminal hair - which is fully developed hair.

Grey hair and balding


The cause of older people developing grey hair is due to build up of hydrogen peroxide, which is caused by wear and tear of our hair follicles. This in turn blocks the normal synthesis of melanin, which is our hairs natural pigment. Grey hair is considered to be a characteristic of normal aging. The age when this occurs is different for each person.

In general people who are 75 years or older have grey hair and men usually become grey at a younger age than women. Some degree of scalp hair loss or thinning co-insides with old age in males and females. By the age of 50, many men are affected by male pattern baldness.



Natural Hair Growth


In the natural hair growth process, hair grows in a cycle that consists of three phases: Anagen, Categen and Telogen


Anagen - During this phase in the process of natural hair growth cycle, the growth cells in the papilla rapidly divide and create the hair
shaft which become keratinized as it pushes up and out of the follicle into the pore. However the follicle grows down into the deeper levels of the dermis (skin) to recieve nourishment. Hair grows at a rate of about a half inch per month. If you have a long anagen growth rate, you will be able to grow very long hair, but if your growth phase is short, you cannot grow very long hair. The anagen growth phase lasts between two and eight years.








Catagen - or the transitional phase last for two to four weeks. In This next stage of the natural hair growth cycle, the follicle is literally degraded and the hair stops growing. However it does not fall out. The hair follicle shrinks. The lower part is destroyed, the dermal papilla breaks away, the bulb detaches from the blood supply and the hair shaft eventually is pushed up as the follicle disintegrates.







Telogen - or resting phase is the last step of the natural hair growth cycle. The follicles goes through this stage for two to four months. During this time the hair still does not grow. 12 percent of all hairs are in this phase at any one time. After the completion of the telogen phase the hair goes back into the anagen phase. The new hair shaft is forming and the old hair is done away with. Plenty of hair is lost due to this natural growth process. This accounts for hair loss that is seen everyday, including lossing hair in the shower, and combing hair. However healthy hair follicles will replace this loss hair.

The natural hair growth cycle can be altered, and temporary or permanent hair loss can result due to many factors, such as medication, exposure to chemicals, chemotherapy, hormonal changes, nutrition factors, thyroid disease, skin disease, stress and many other factors.

As you can see our hair has a life of it's own. Through the help of follicles, hair is born, goes through the natural hair growth cycle, then dies. Thus the process repeats itself many times during the normal human life span.


Mr FaceOff