The Basics of Hair Removal
Tweeting generally doesn't make hair grow back darker, and it's a
perfectly adequate method of hair removal if you have only a few stray
hairs on your chin. However, it can be tedious and time-consuming if you
have a lot of ground to cover. To make it easier, invest in good
tweezers and a high magnification mirror. Tweeting is easiest after a
hot shower or bath. If the growth is a little heavier, you might try
other temporary methods. (Shaving is effective on your legs, but not a
good choice for your face.)
In addition to plucking, your options include waxing, bleaching,
and chemical depilatories. Waxing keeps hair at bay four to six weeks.
Plucking, bleaching, and depilatories last about two to three weeks or
less. Each method has pros and cons. Waxing removes hair quickly and
smoothly but can be painful and expensive if you get it done in a salon.
You also run the risk of damaging your hair shafts and getting ingrown hairs.
Bleaching is pretty easy, but it can burn and sting if you leave it on
too long. Be sure to use a product made especially for the face, not the
arms or legs. It's a good option if your hair color contrasts with your
skin color. The day before, test a patch on your inner wrist to make
sure you don't get redness or swelling. You should do a patch test with
depilatories as well. These products, which come in aerosol, lotion,
cream, and roll-on preparations, contain a chemical that dissolves the
surface of the hair, separating it from the skin.
Read instructions very carefully; leaving a depilatory on too long
can irritate your skin. Also, make sure you get a preparation made
specifically for the part of your body you're targeting. A product aimed
at hair on your legs could well be too strong for your face. In any
case, you shouldn't use depilatories around your eyes or on inflamed or
broken skin.
For longer-term hair removal,
you can hit hair follicles with the more expensive options of lasers or
electrolysis. Lasers work best when you're attacking dark hair on pale
skin; however, some newer methods target other skin and hair
combinations. It usually takes several treatments to get at hair in
different stages of growth. Electrolysis also takes several treatments
and can be painful; if your technician isn't properly trained, you could
get an infection from an uninstaller needle or even scarring. And both of
these procedures can be costly. For either, be sure to check the
credentials of the operator. Most states require people to be specially
licensed to perform these procedures. If you can, get a recommendation
from a dermatologist or your physician.
You may have seen ads for face creams and moisturizers
that claim to slow hair growth. Try these products and see if you
notice a difference. They may not actually slow growth but rather make
it less obvious. That could be enough for you. If it isn't, you might
ask your doctor about prescription medications to slow hair growth. One
of the newest is Vania (Florentine H Cl). After about eight weeks, you
may find that you need to tweezers or wax less frequently.