How to depilate at home

Body hair removal is one of the most requested salon procedures. True, not always available in the summer, when many people leave the city. How to do depilation at home?

Depilation at home: which way to choose

They say that the fashion for smooth armpits was introduced at the beginning of the 1970th century by the dancer Isadora Duncan. She often appeared on stage in translucent tunics and dresses with open shoulders, and the fluff “there”, in her opinion, destroyed the light, weightless image. Vegetation on the legs became bad manners in the 1975s, when, with the advent of nylon stockings, skirts began to lose length, and then minis appeared altogether. In XNUMX, in Connecticut, USA, a judge even legalized the dismissal of a waitress for refusing to shave off excessively long hair on her legs! “Once upon a time, vegetation performed a lot of useful functions – in particular, it helped our distant ancestor to keep warm,” fashion magazines wrote then. “But today we have beautiful clothes and central heating, and body hair has become irrelevant.”

Now you can get rid of them in two ways – with the help of epilation or depilation. We wrote about the difference between them more than once. In short, during depilation, only the visible part of the hair is removed and after a while they grow back, and during epilation, the hair follicle dies and the vegetation does not appear for several weeks, or even disappears forever.

Which depilatory product to choose depends on the characteristics of the skin and the area that needs to be freed from hair.

At home, only depilation is available – hair removal using:

  • tweezers;

  • razors;

  • epilator;

  • special creams;

  • wax strips;

  • wax;

  • sugar paste.

Which depilatory product to choose at home depends on the characteristics of the skin (sensitive or rough, oily or dry) and on the area that you want to free from hair.

  • For small areas (above the lip, on the chin or chest), tweezers and wax strips are suitable.

  • On the legs, it is most convenient to remove hair with a razor, epilator, cream, wax and sugar.

  • On the arms and in the armpit area – with a razor, epilator or wax strips.

  • In the bikini area – with a razor or wax strips.

And before we go into detail about all the methods, here are some general rules for depilation at home from our expert, dermatocomestologist Maria Nevskaya:

  1. It is better to depilate after “critical days”. Before menstruation, the sensitivity of the skin increases, the procedure is worse tolerated.

  2. The razor will cut hairs of any length, and for an epilator, wax strips, cream, etc., they should be at least 2–5 mm.

  3. A day or two before the removal of vegetation with wax or sugar, it is necessary to exfoliate and repeat it 5 days after depilation at home, otherwise ingrown hairs may appear.

  4. After hair removal with wax at home (as well as after depilation with sugar, epilator, tweezers, wax strips), redness and irritation may appear. Therefore, you should not carry out the procedure on the eve of an important event (wedding, date, vacation, etc.), it is better at least 2-3 days before it.

  5. For the same reason, you should not do wax (sugar, etc.) depilation at home immediately after returning from vacation: severe irritation may appear on tanned (read, injured) skin.

  6. For depilation at home, in addition to a razor, strips and other tools, moisturizers are needed – lotion, cream or balm. Use them after every hair removal.

Depilation with a razor

Here, probably, you don’t even need to tell how to properly do depilation at home: everyone knows how to use a razor. And for many, shaving under the armpits and on the legs is the same routine procedure as brushing your teeth or caring for your facial skin:

  1. Wet the skin with water.

  2. We apply shaving foam on it or just lather it.

  3. We shave – the machine at the same time moves against hair growth.

  4. Rinse off the foam.

  5. Apply a special moisturizer or lotion.

Everything is fast and simple. Among the disadvantages of the procedure:

  • hair begins to grow the very next day;

  • stiff bristles are prickly (this is especially felt in the armpit and bikini area);

  • skin irritation and cuts are not uncommon.

Hair removal with depilatory cream

About 20 years ago, this do-it-yourself depilation method at home was one of the most “advanced”. After him – lo and behold! The hair didn’t grow for several days. The composition of these products has not changed so far: the active ingredient, calcium thioglycolate, destroys keratin, from which the hair shaft is built. But with the advent of epilators, depilatory creams have become less popular.

How to do depilation at home using a special cream is detailed in the instructions.

  1. First, the composition must be checked on a small area of ​​uXNUMXbuXNUMXbthe skin – whether it will cause irritation.

  2. Then apply with a spatula to clean, dry skin.

  3. Leave on for 5-12 minutes (exact time is indicated on the package).

  4. Wash off with warm water.

  5. Apply a special moisturizer or lotion.

How to do depilation with an electric epilator?

A miracle device with dozens of rotating tweezers removes hairs from the root and gives the same effect as salon sugaring and waxing. But not everyone can decide to use it. For girls with a low pain threshold, this procedure is like a slow, unbearable torture.

  1. Before the procedure, it is better to steam the skin: enlarged pores facilitate the process of hair removal.

  2. Always start with the lowest speed of rotation of the nozzle – it is not so painful, and the hairs are removed more efficiently, without gaps.

  3. Hold the epilator at a slight angle and point against hair growth. The nozzle should be in contact with the skin, but not grab it.

  4. Do not press on the epilator, move it smoothly so that bruising does not appear.

  5. After depilation, apply a special moisturizing lotion or cream.

Depilation with wax strips at home

Depilation with strips at home is also called cold waxing: hair is removed with an adhesive wax tape.

  1. The skin is properly cleansed, dried with a towel.

  2. The tape is warmed up in the hands.

  3. Stick it on the skin and with a sharp movement tear off the hair growth.

  4. After depilation, a special moisturizing lotion or cream is applied.

  5. Technique is very important here – if you do not adhere to it, there will be irritation, pain, and even hematomas. Ingrown hair, unfortunately, is possible in any case. To avoid it, you need to properly exfoliate the skin the day before and 5 days after the procedure and do not forget about moisturizing.

How to do sugar or wax depilation with your own hands?

We wrote about sugaring here and here, so we will dwell on wax depilation (waxing) in more detail. Ideally, the procedure is performed with different types of wax. For the intimate zone and the armpit zone, they take a more viscous one, apply it gradually to tiny areas, and remove it exclusively with their hands to reduce the pain effect. Wax of a more liquid consistency is suitable for hands and feet, and it can be removed with strips of paper, capturing large areas. But in general, it is not so much wax that is important as the technique of performing the procedure. In the absence of skills, you can get a severe burn, bruise or bruise. Therefore, it is best to do sugaring and waxing with an experienced master in the salon.

The result is usually enough for 2-3 weeks. Among the shortcomings are the soreness of the procedure, frequent irritation and ingrown hair after it.

  1. The wax is warmed up.

  2. Apply with a spatula to a small area.

  3. Wait for the wax to set a little.

  4. With a sharp movement, remove it with your hands or with strips of paper along the hair growth.

  5. Apply a special moisturizing and soothing lotion or cream.

  6. For the next couple of days, the skin is treated with an antiseptic 2-3 times a day so that an infection does not get into the open pores and pustules do not appear. Do not wear tight, restrictive synthetic clothing. And after 3-5 days, the skin is periodically steamed and scrubbed to avoid ingrown hairs.

2-3 days after depilation, you should not go to the bathhouse, visit the pool and gym, sunbathe.

Overview of suitable skin care products

Regardless of epilation or depilation, the skin of the body needs daily care. Below, we’ve rounded up Healthy-Food’s top favorites for sensitive skin on the face and body.

Moisturizers

Probably the most necessary for the skin after depilation.

Moisturizing cream for face and body, CeraVe

Hyaluronic acid in its composition saturates the skin with moisture, and ceramides effectively keep it inside the cells. The cream is designed for dry and very dry skin of the face and body, but is also suitable for skin care between sugaring procedures.

Moisturizing soothing face serum Phyto Corrective, SkinCeuticals

Enriched with hyaluronic acid, the serum fills the skin with moisture, evens out the complexion. Ideal for sensitive, sensitive or problematic skin.

Cicaplast B5, La Roche-Posay Multi-repairing spray for babies, children and adults

Instantly soothes and accelerates the skin’s recovery process, the mannose in the formula strengthens its natural defense mechanisms. The main roles are madecassoside (this substance is obtained from the extract of Asian centella), panthenol and La Roche-Posay thermal water.

Moisturizing body milk Lait Corporel, Biotherm

Nourishing oils combined with glycerin restore the skin’s natural level of hydration and elasticity. Vitamin E provides antioxidant protection, while Thermal Plankton Extract promotes skin repair.

Intensively regenerating body milk Nutrix Royal Body, Lanсôme

His composition is really luxurious. Almond proteins moisturize and soothe the skin, making it soft and tender. Royal jelly regenerates the skin. Lanolin and beeswax perfectly soften and prevent peeling.

Sun protection means

Since special attention is paid to depilation in the summer season, it is important to take care of adding SPF to your daily care. After all, the skin after depilation needs more protection than usual, including from ultraviolet radiation. The following are sunscreens that are suitable for sensitive skin.

Capital Ideal Soleil Two-Phase Moisturizing Spray, SPF 50, Vichy

This light spray with a pleasant smell, we think, will become your favorite. It absorbs quickly and provides excellent UV protection. And the action of UV filters is complemented by hyaluronic acid and Vichy thermal water.

Ambre Solaire Solar Water Spray, SPF 50, Garnier

Easy to apply and spread over the skin. In addition to effective sunscreens, it contains aloe vera juice, which gives an additional moisturizing effect.

Anthelios Sunscreen Moisturizer for Face & Eyes, SPF 50+, La Roche-Posay

A combination of photostable filters, fortified with antioxidants, provides excellent sun protection. The tool is easily and evenly applied, it is not felt, but at the same time creates a dense protective layer on the skin. And the thermal water in the composition additionally softens and soothes.

Summary results

Briefly about the main thing.

Which depilation method is right for you? 

You can remove hair with:

  • tweezers;

  • razors;

  • epilator;

  • special creams;

  • wax strips;

  • wax;

  • sugar paste.

Which tool to choose depends on the characteristics of the skin, your pain threshold and the treated area. For small areas, tweezers, wax strips, waxing and sugaring are suitable. Legs, hands can be rid of unwanted vegetation with a razor, epilator, cream, the same sugar and wax.

What do you need for hair removal at home? 

It all depends on the method you choose. But in addition to the depilatory product itself (razor, wax and all the arsenal attached to it, shugaring paste, depilatory cream, etc.), be sure to take care of preparing the skin with scrubs and subsequent care for it with the help of special moisturizing and restorative products . If we are talking about the armpit area, you will need a deodorant recommended for use after the procedure.

How to do depilation at home? 

A few basic rules:

  1. It is better to depilate immediately after menstruation.

  2. No need to remove short hair – wait for it to grow.

  3. Exfoliate the day before and repeat it 3-5 days later – this is an excellent prevention of ingrown hairs.

  4. Do not depilate on the eve of an important event.

  5. After the procedure, use a moisturizing, soothing lotion or cream.

  6. Read more about depilation with a razor, wax strips, cream, wax, sugar and epilator read here.

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