All about depilation

Depilation is a word with many associations. For some, this is torment and a moment that you want to delay. For some - discomfort and nothing more. And some endure this necessary procedure, which makes the skin perfectly smooth. But one way or another, almost every woman is regularly faced with the need to carry out depilation.

There are two consonant words: depilation and epilation. Their consonance is so great that many girls replace one word with another, not realizing that by doing so they are replacing concepts.

Remember:

• depilation is a procedure that removes part of the hair, only what is on the surface of the skin;
• epilation is a procedure that aims to remove hair along with the root under the skin.

Obviously, the difference is significant: hair removal is a more radical procedure, its effectiveness is greater - the need for a new hair removal is postponed for a long time. Depilation has to be done more often, hair grows back quickly, but in terms of pain and speed it is incomparable with epilation.

Depilation is painless and can be done every day. Although there are many nuances here. Usually, waxing is carried out at home, this procedure is called waxing. Hard or soft wax is applied to the skin and then removed in strips. The fundamental point: it is removed in the direction opposite to hair growth. Wax is called by many as a borderline procedure in cosmetology - it refers to depilation, but part of the hair can be pulled out by the root (a sign of epilation). It is not so popular today, because bandage shugaring (a technology very similar to waxing) has significantly supplanted wax removal.

But the most important depilation method was and remains a razor. Even machine depilators could not become more popular. The advantages of shaving are obvious: it is affordable, painless, fast, you can do everything yourself. It does not matter how old a person is: growing up girls, older ladies and pregnant women are also involved in shaving. The main advantage of depilation is painlessness and simplicity.

The main disadvantage is that hair that has not been removed from the root will grow back quickly. But not all women are morally ready for epilation, complete hair removal (with the ability to forget about them completely for many years). Therefore, many consider depilation to be the only possible option for getting rid of excess hair on the body.

The main differences have already been noted, but it makes sense to delve a little deeper into physiology. When epilating, actions are aimed at deliberately destroying the hair follicle. Regardless of how it will be carried out, it is important to destroy all hair follicles in a particular area. Human body hair does not grow at the same time, otherwise people would be shaggy. Each hair goes through its own life stages: in anagen, it grows actively, reaching its maximum length, it seems to freeze in growth, and then begins to die off. These are the natural cycles of the hair's life.

The transitional period of growth is called catagen, and after hair loss, the follicle expects a period of rest - telogen. The hairs on the arms and legs go through all three stages in about a month; no more than 15% of the hairs on the skin of the extremities are in the anagen stage. That is why it is impossible to get rid of all the hairs on the legs or arms in one epilation procedure. The master's office will have to be visited at least 6 times to tame the vegetation. Depilation is even weaker: it removes hair only temporarily, without interfering with the work of the hair follicle. This effect is enough for several days - for someone for 2 days, for someone for 4.

What is better - shave or remove hair with gel, or maybe use wax or even tweezers - such questions are frequent. There is no universal answer, you need to look for your own option.

There is no simpler and better known method. You just need to buy a razor (with two or three blades), a special shaving gel (but many do with gentle soap), and then simply shave off the hair from the desired area of ​​the body step by step. Naturally, this should be done under good lighting, on moisturized skin. There is nothing dangerous in shaving, if the razor is not dull, and you use a soap or cream composition. In addition, the razor works like a scrub - it picks up dead particles of the epidermis along with the hair.

It is debatable that the hair will get stiffer. Yes, there is such a negative point, but not for everyone. Shaving your skin very often will harden your hair, but it is still a matter of individual response. There is no secret that many women shave their legs less often in winter, and in spring, with the arrival of good weather, they become more active.

Waxing is a mechanical procedure. Typically a warm wax is used, which is either applied directly to the skin or first on the wax strips. There are strips that are intended for home use, there are salon kits. Speaking categorically, waxing is only cold wax, and waxing is a warm process. But today the concepts are confused, there is nothing wrong with that.

Cream, gel, emulsion - there are many formulation options. Usually, the kit includes the tool itself and a plastic scraper. A woman applies the cream to the skin (for example, on the leg), and the composition of the cream thinns the hair, chemically destroying it. And then the weakened hair is well removed with a scraper. The cream contains ingredients that moisturize the skin.Hair grows more slowly after this procedure. And also, as noted by users, they are getting thinner.

With the help of a thread, you can correct hair growth in the eyebrow area. The correct name for the technology is trading. For this, only a spool of thread is needed, which is used so that the intersection of the threads twists the hairs. The method is very economical and effective, because the hair is removed by the root. True, pulling out hair from scratch may not work. You need skill, understanding of technology. Video tutorials in this matter are the best helpers.

Good old tweezers or tweezers - they still remove excess hairs by millions of women. Not very pleasant, often painful, long, but effective. Pluck not only the eyebrows, but also the hair above the lip, for example.

Marketing gimmicks are always simple at the core, but often camouflaged with nice and pleasing names. For example, the phrase “chemical depilation” does not sound as romantic as “depilation with honey”, and there is also marshmallow depilation with chocolate. Appears in a composition that removes hair, and caramel, and phyto resin.

At its core, this is all the same shugaring. Only instead of a simple sugar paste, a more exotic composition is used, for example, a chocolate one. Resins act like wax, honey like sugar - a manual technique aimed at removing hair from the root through a sticky and powerful agent. True, it is more correct to attribute these techniques to hair removal.

There are areas that are most often depilated - these are the legs and armpits. The vegetation there is considered socially condemned, although the body-positive movement is strenuously fighting this. But so far the scale of the struggle is not so great, and the demand for depilation of hair in the armpits and legs among women is great.

What else is depilated:

• hands - not all women consider this a must, but more and more adherents of smooth hands appear;
• the area above the upper lip - women are embarrassed by the appearance of fluffy "mustaches" under the nose and try to get rid of them in any way;
• bikini area - options for how to depilate a female bikini area are numerous, total depilation is also actively in demand;
• the area of ​​the nipples on the chest - however, the hair grows there not so densely and not everyone has it, but if there is, then women usually shave them off or remove them with tweezers.

Today, in order to correct the contour of hair growth, hair is removed from this very growth line (forehead), thus changing the shape of the face. This can also be considered depilation. Often they do not do this yet, but the procedure takes place. It is not worth doing this on your own: the cost of a mistake is high. In adolescents, against the background of a hormonal storm, hair can appear on the neck, in the Adam's apple - girls try to shave them off. A consultation with a pediatric endocrinologist will help in a safer choice of funds.

Tools and materials depend on the type of hair removal. What can be included in a hair removal kit:

• razor - always individual, disinfected, not dull;
• sponge - for wetting the skin;
• napkins or paper in a roll - remove something on the skin, get wet;
• gloves - if that's more convenient;
• wax tapes;
• spatula - when using chemicals (often called a scraper);
• epilator device, if such equipment is used;
• cotton swabs - needed to correct the application of the composition in special areas (eyebrows, for example);
• cream, foam or soap to prevent the razor from sliding on bare skin.

Everything else is optional.You can buy a ready-made depilation kit, which contains almost everything for removing vegetation from the skin.

Everyone has their own recipe for preparation, there may even be rituals. For example, depilate the skin only in the bathroom or only in the bedroom in the morning.

Consider the standard advice of experts.

• If waxing is painful, you can take an anesthetic half an hour before the procedure. But usually such measures are needed when epilation.
• The skin needs to be thoroughly moisturized. And this should be done often, regularly. Creams and oils are used that soften the skin and eliminate dryness.
• The length of the hairs is checked. If wax is used, the hairs should be no shorter than a grain of rice, otherwise the composition simply will not fit as it should, and there will be zero sense from the procedure.
• Scrubbing. The skin should be thoroughly exfoliated before the procedure. It is better to use the scrub 2 times a week - this will be enough to ensure that the skin is always ready for depilation.

The technology depends on the place of action - it is more comfortable at home, but the specialist does the depilation more correctly.

Let's say it is decided to use waxing - for a salon this is the most popular depilation technique. What will happen:

• the master will assess whether the length of the hairs is sufficient for removal - at least 4 mm;
• it will scrub the skin;
• then the skin is necessarily disinfected;
• all tools and materials must be opened by the master in front of the client;
• the composition is tested on the elbow joint - a specialist must make sure that an allergic reaction is excluded;
• the skin will still be smeared with some suitable composition to degrease;
• then the master will use the wax itself with the stripes, apply them to the skin, withstand a given time, and then tear them off sharply in the right direction;
• after all areas have been treated, the specialist will apply a soothing cream or gel to the skin.

In the salon, the client will certainly be given recommendations for further skin care - when can you take a shower, when you can sunbathe, how to moisturize your skin, etc.

Wax depilation is also available for girls who are used to taking care of themselves exclusively at home. And you can really do it with your own hands. You won't be able to get rid of too short hairs: you need to wait until they grow at least half a centimeter - the wax will take this length. After the first procedure, there is no ideal result, but over time, the hair becomes thinner and more pliable.

Hair removal at home with wax takes place in several stages.

• The skin should be steamed, moisturized.
• The wax, preheated to a medium temperature, must be evenly applied to the skin in the direction of hair growth with the applicator. The hairs must be thoroughly waxed, but do not flood them.
• The wax strip is glued along the hairline. A small tip must be left.
• Press the strip with your hand, smooth it in the direction of hair growth, the wax should snuggle well against the vegetation.
• As soon as the strip cools down, you need to grab the free end and quickly rip off. The strip twitches strictly against the hairline.
• Wax is not applied to the same place twice - it is fraught with either irritation or skin burns.
• After all hair has been removed, it makes sense to use a suitable coolant to soothe the skin.

Folk remedies, as usual, are in demand, maybe not as actively as waxing and depilation with a razor, but enough. Consider the recipes that are used most often.

• Calcium sulfite. Required: slaked lime, calcium sulfite, glassware. In a bowl, 1 teaspoon of lime and 1 glass of sulfite are mixed. The cream is applied to the skin. The composition is washed off with running water after 5-10 minutes. The skin must be softened with a cream.
• Soda. 1 teaspoon of food powder is mixed with 2 teaspoons of liquid soap. The composition is applied to the skin, after which it is wrapped in a cloth. The cream must be kept for a day, then rinsed with running water. Use for hands and feet only!
• Nettle. Vegetable oil is mixed with 50 g of nettle seeds. The cream thickens with flour, about half a glass. Insist on this composition for 45-60 days. Strain it through cheesecloth before applying.
• Honey. In a deep bowl, mix 60 g of honey, the same amount of sugar, the juice of one medium lemon. The product is applied to the skin (feet or hands) for 30 minutes. You need to remove the sweet composition with coffee grounds. The areas are scrubbed with it, the remains are washed off with water with soapy foam, then with clean water.

If the recipe seems extreme, it is better to abandon such experiments in favor of proven remedies.

Skin irritation, allergic reaction is not uncommon for depilation. Especially if you forgot to soothe your skin after the procedure. How to care for your skin after hair removal:

• if the skin begins to crack and itch, you need to apply an antibiotic ointment;
• cream or oil is an indispensable element after depilation, with pain and irritation, for example, lavender oil does an excellent job;
• if you mix eucalyptus oil with turmeric, you get an excellent mixture that removes irritation from sensitive skin;
• For at least 2 days after the procedure, you need to forget about tanning, including in a solarium;
• one day after the procedure, you cannot take hot baths and showers;
• deodorants in the area of ​​depilation are also prohibited for a day;
• no alcohol lotion or other alcohol-containing cosmetics should be applied to irritated skin;
• it is necessary to scrub the skin before depilation.

Manufacturers offer many formulations that act to help depilation. These are mousses and creams that slow down hair growth. But you should not seriously count on them - they are not as effective as advertisements promise. In any case, you should carefully study the composition and principle of action. As a rule, they lack environmental friendliness.

Everything in the aggregate, from applying a sedative immediately after the procedure to wearing the right underwear, clothes, works on the effectiveness of depilation. After all, not only smoothness is important, but also the cleanliness of the place where the hair was removed, the absence of irritations and allergies. Let beauty require not sacrifice, but a skillful approach!