Shaving and Depilatories

Hair removal is considered by most people as a “cosmetic” issue. But aside from common belief, hair removal can often come as a medical requirement for cases like general surgery, skin graft procedures, ingrown hairs, especially eyelashes and a variety of other conditions. More often than not, changes in the patterns of hair growth are symptoms of serious conditions like glucose intolerance or hormonal imbalances.

Most cultures have an ideal amount of hair for males and females. Usually, hair that exceeds this ‘aesthetic standard’ causes problems, whether perceived or real, with a person’s acceptance by society. Therefore, controlling the growth or removing the unwanted hair goes further than being a simple “cosmetic” issue.

Methods Of Hair Removal - Temporary Methods

Hair can be removed through either depilation, which is the removal of part of the hair above the skin’s surface, or by epilating, which is the removal of the whole hair. For many clients, using these temporary methods at regular intervals is adequate.

Shaving - This method is the most preferred way for removing hair. This is because it is very affordable, easy, fast, painless and has minimal side effects. Shaving is very safe and can be done at home or almost anywhere. The downside is that it doesn’t last for long. In shaving, a sharpened metal blade or razor cuts off the hair at the skin’s surface. The effects of shaving are very short-term, ranging from a few hours to several days. People with darkly pigmented hairs may have a visible “shadow” of dark hair under their skin. This often requires daily removal. Shaving can also result in skin irritation and cuts. For a few, it is known to cause ingrown hairs especially in the bikini area of women and facial hairs of African-American men. Also, shaving blades require regular replacement. A good shave also needs other products such as shaving creams, gels and before and after-shave products. Blades also differ. There are blades with non-disposable handles that use replaceable blade cartridges. There are also disposable razors designed to be thrown out after a number of uses or when the blade gets dull. A safety razor is a double-bladed razor intended to reduce the possibility of nicks or cuts. The myth that shaving makes the hair grow thicker or faster has been busted in 1928 yet continues to persist until today.

Cream depilatory - Another way of removing hair is by using cream depilatories. This method is quite common but not as popular as shaving. This is because a number of its consumers say that it can cause mild to serious skin irritation and even chemical burns. With this method, the cream contains a chemical that is designed to dissolve the hair it comes in contact with. Cream depilatories are inexpensive and fast. They are often painless, although some may result in a mild tingling or burning sensation. Depilation can be done at home or anywhere. Its disadvantages are like those of shaving. The effects are short term, ranging from a few hours to several days and can also result in the dark ’shadow’ of hair under the skin. The procedure often requires repetition every couple of days or so. These products also cause cuts and irritations and which can be severe if mistakenly applied on the eye area or other mucous membranes.