Even though body hair is a natural thing, some women choose to remove some or all of it for cosmetic reasons. Common methods of removing facial, pubic or other body hair include waxing, shaving and tweezing, according to the Mayo Clinic. Some women opt to have laser hair removal procedures or use depilatory creams at home. Whether you choose to go to a salon for waxing or to shave at home, learning several tips can help you make the most of this beautification ritual and avoid potential drawbacks, such as painful ingrown hairs.
Reducing Your Risk of Ingrown Hairs
You can get one or more ingrown hairs anytime after waxing, shaving or tweezing, according to the Mayo Clinic. While Hispanic and African American women are more likely to suffer from this potentially painful and unsightly problem, any woman can find an ingrown hair after traditional removing processes. You can’t necessarily totally avoid ingrown hairs unless you have the follicles removed through laser treatments, but you can avoid pulling your skin while shaving or plucking to reduce your chance of ingrown hairs.
Basic Shaving Tips
Whether you plan to shave your pubic hair, underarms or legs, following a few basic tips can help reduce your risk of nicks, ingrown hairs, bumps and other unpleasant side effects, according to the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. Soak in a hot bathtub or shower for a few minutes before attempting any type of shaving. Be sure to use a clean, new razor blade–especially if you are shaving the pubic area. Also, avoid using any male products, including aftershave. These products can seriously irritate your skin. You’ll get a much closer shave with less risk of unwanted trauma by following these steps. Keep in mind that once you start shaving some areas, especially the pubic region, you need to shave regularly; some women who opt to shave pubic hair must do so daily to avoid ingrown hairs.
Depilatory Cream Tips
Depilatory creams enable many teen girls and women to enjoy at-home hair removal, according to the Teens Health website. However, not all women can safely use depilatory creams. Some people are allergic to the chemicals in the cream or are otherwise put off by the often unpleasant odor of such creams. Make the most of your depilatory experience by ensuring that you only use the cream or gel on approved body parts. Don’t use a cream meant for the legs on your face or pubic area. Also, be sure to leave it on only for the amount of time the package recommends. This will reduce your risk of burns or allergic reactions.
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Photo Credit
- after shave cologne image by CraterValley Photo from Fotolia.com
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