Depilation
Depilation is understood to be a procedure that is used to partially or completely remove body hair. The generally prevailing image of beauty today is developing more and more in the direction of the largest possible hairless body, which is why almost all women and men now resort to hair removal at least on certain parts of the body, especially if they suffer from excessive hair growth.
You might also be interested in these topics:
- Hypertrichosis - excessive hair growth, these are the causes
- Strong hair growth in women - causes and therapeutic approaches
The shave
A typical example of depilation is shaving. This has no influence on the hair root or the follicle, so that the hair grows back quickly, which can take different lengths depending on the place and person. This procedure is far quicker and less complicated than the depilatory procedures listed below. However, shaving can leave a mark of severe redness and itching, known as "razor burn".
Read our article on this: Skin itches after shaving.
Depilatory creams
In addition to shaving, the depilatory cream is another way of painless depilation. The cream is applied to the skin and has to take effect for a few minutes, depending on the manufacturer's instructions. Then the cream can be removed together with the hair with the help of a rubber spatula, which is usually included. Since the hair roots are not affected, it is not a permanent depilation and the hair grows back.
Depilatory creams work through their alkaline pH value, which is around 12. The natural pH value of the skin is 5.5 in the slightly acidic range, which is why neutralization after the treatment makes sense and can protect the skin. The active ingredient is usually a potassium or ammonium salt from thioglycolic acid or similar substances. Hair is held together by its sulfur bridges and protein bonds. These chemical compounds are dissolved by the active ingredient of the cream and the hair on the outside becomes detached from the skin.
After removing the skin, it is necessary to wash it off thoroughly with water and add acidic post-treatment creams to protect the skin. The creams also contain ingredients that protect the skin, such as apricot oil and vitamins. Although the dosage of the cream is subject to strict guidelines, regular use can also cause skin damage. The main active ingredient, thioglycolic acid, is toxic to humans and is also absorbed through the skin.
Furthermore, allergic reactions can also occur, which is why a test in a small area is recommended. Depilatory creams should not be used on the face or genital area and contact with the mucous membrane in particular should be avoided.
The effect lasts a little longer than with shaved hair, as the hair is removed about a millimeter under the skin. Creams are a relatively cheap way to get rid of hair.Various versions are available in cosmetics shops for less than three euros. In addition to classic creams, depilatory lotions and depilatory foams or gels are also possible. For the genital area, depilatory creams are available with low doses, but these creams should not get directly onto the mucous membrane, as the active ingredient is the same.
You can find more information on this topic here: All information about depilatory creams.
epilation
Hair and its roots are removed during epilation. This has the advantage that the hairless state lasts for a long time and depilation has to be carried out less often. A distinction is made between permanent epilation, in which the hair root is completely destroyed, and temporary epilation, in which the hair root is torn out. This hair removal technique uses special epilation devices or wax preparations.
Read more on the subject here:
- The most important information about epilation.
- Avoid red spots after epilation
- How to epilate without pain
- Epilation in men
Depilation with wax
Another way to remove hair for a longer time is the wax treatment. There are both ready-made wax strips and liquid wax. In both cases, the slightly warmed wax is applied to the hairy skin and pressed down a little when the strips are finished. After cooling, the wax that has set can be removed quickly and the hair is pulled out with it. In contrast to epilation, large areas can be depilated at the same time.
Wax depilation is a relatively painful method as the hair is torn out. This is similar to tearing off a bandage. Most waxes consist of a mixture of beeswax, whale rat and resin components and are therefore relatively skin-friendly on a natural basis. The hair must have a certain minimum length in order to grow, which is why the treatment cannot be used on stubble. So overall it is a very effective but painful hair removal.
You can find more information on the topic at: Outgrow hair - this is how it's done.
Laser depilation
Depilation with laser treatment is permanent depilation. There are two options for laser treatment. On the one hand, hair removal can be carried out in a dermatologist's practice and, on the other hand, laser devices can be used at home. In both cases, repeated sessions are necessary as not all hair is in the same growth phase. The laser reacts to the dark pigment melanin. Therefore, laser treatment is particularly successful with dark hair and light skin.
The suntan should have subsided before treatment begins. Blonde hair and fuzz are much more difficult to remove. There may be slight pain during the sessions, which usually subsides after a few hours. In rare cases, inflammatory reactions can occur. Treatment is not recommended for people with many birthmarks or other pigment changes.
Hormonal fluctuations, for example due to pregnancy, can lead to occasional hair regrowth. Treatment in medical centers costs a little over 2000 euros for a full body treatment. Treatments for the legs or armpits are accordingly cheaper. The laser for self-treatment is available from around 150 euros
The IPL technology is a cheaper alternative to laser treatment and enables permanent hair removal. Find out more at: Permanent Hair Removal With IPL - What To Look For!
Depilation using light
The light method for hair removal is very similar to laser treatment. The hair roots are bombarded with small pulses of light and fall out after about a week. The effect lasts for about three months and is not as permanent as the laser treatment because the hair roots are removed, but the hair follicles remain.
The best effect can be achieved with dark hair and light skin.
Success can only be seen after several applications. Light hair cannot be removed at all. The device should not be used with dark skin or many birthmarks. Eye protection must be ensured during use and no long-term deodorants should be used. Before the treatment, the area should be shaved normally and only then should the light pulses be bombarded. Afterwards, skin care cream can be used to protect the skin. Depending on the manufacturer, a device costs around 300 euros. The treatment is painless and in most cases is well tolerated.
The IPL technology represents a cheaper alternative to laser treatment and enables light-based, permanent hair removal. Find out more at: Permanent Hair Removal With IPL - What To Look For!
Depilation with sugar paste (sugaring)
Sugar paste is an inexpensive alternative to ready-made wax products as it can be made by yourself. The sugar paste is a mixture of table sugar, lemon juice and water. First, it is necessary to prepare the skin for hair removal by cleansing it with lotions containing alcohol. Then the sugar mass is kneaded with your hands and warmed up. In contrast to wax, the sugar mass can surround the hair more deeply and the hair can be torn out against the direction of growth.
Although the method is said to be less painful than the wax treatment, the so-called sugaring is not painless either. However, because the ingredients are completely natural, there is almost no reddening or damage to the skin. Some beauty salons also offer sugaring. For a sugaring treatment, the hair must be at least two to five millimeters long. In contrast to waxing, only a small area can be treated at a time, which is why leg depilation takes up to an hour. The effect lasts for about three weeks.
Depilation by body region
Depilation of the face
Hair on the face is natural in both men and women. In men these are much more pronounced, but women can also develop a beard. Most men resort to the classic shave for their daily hair removal. Both wet razors and electric razors can be used here. When shaving wet, shaving foam should be used to protect the skin and prevent minor injuries. Since the skin of the face is very sensitive, after-treatment with nourishing creams makes sense for both methods.
Most depilatory creams are not recommended for use on the face because they are too aggressive and should not get near mucous membranes or eyes.
Classic epilators are also difficult to use on the face.
Laser treatments are also offered for the face. Particular attention should be paid to protecting the eyes. This permanent hair removal on the face is particularly recommended for women who suffer from increased facial hair.
pluck eyebrows
Many people find it necessary to pluck eyebrows in order to look more well-groomed and to make the face appear more symmetrical. There are two basic ways to remove eyebrows: Either you use tweezers or a thread that is knotted together and stretched between both hands. So you can pluck your hair step by step.
Read detailed information on this topic at: Plucking Eyebrows.
Remove lady's beard
A lot of facial hair in women can be genetic or hormonal. Most women suffer extremely from it and are looking for ways to remove their hair as permanently as possible. If the strong hair growth is not caused by hormones and therefore cannot be eliminated, women resort to the tried and tested hair removal methods such as shaving, depilatory creams, epilation or wax preparations. Laser treatments or hair bleaching can also be considered.
You can find everything about the topic of women's beards here:
- Removing a lady's beard - These options exist.
- Bleaching a lady's beard
- Laser beard
Pubic hair removal
Pubic hair removal is on the one hand a matter of taste in the private sphere, on the other hand it is necessary before operations in order to reduce the risk of infection and not to block the surgeon's view. In addition to shaving, epilation, dewaxing and lasers are the most common depilation methods.
You can find more information on the subject here: Pubic hair removal with instructions.
Remove back hair
A certain amount of back hair is part of the natural body hair for everyone. However, excessive back hair can be bothersome, which is why it is often removed. One uses again conventional methods of hair removal: Shaving, epilation, wax strips or depilatory creams are among the means of choice.
If you are interested in the removal of back hair, read more about this under: Remove back hair.
Depilation in the genital area
The intimate area is particularly sensitive in both men and women. Not every depilatory method can be recommended here and some methods are even completely counterproductive.
Depilatory creams should be avoided in the genital area. Especially in women, the danger to the mucous membrane is too great, even with specially low-dose creams. Inflammatory reactions and rashes can occur.
You should also be careful with the classic razor. The skin in the genital area is often soft and slightly wrinkled, which makes cuts more common. Shaving can also lead to pimples in the genital area. In any case, a classic razor should only be used when it is wet, as this protects sensitive skin better.
Read more on the topic: Rash in the genital area
Waxing is often not well applicable because of the painful and soft skin in the genital area.
Just like waxing, epilation is often too painful for the genital area. Sugaring should be a little less painful and therefore also be useful in the bikini line.
Laser treatments are also available for the genital area for both men and women. There are no particular risks here. Even after depilation, regardless of the method, you should pay attention to the right care products in the genital area. Especially in the case of contact with the mucous membrane, only neutral, fragrance-free skin care creams should be used after shaving. If a product is hypersensitive, it should not be used again.
The IPL technology is a cheaper alternative to laser treatment and enables permanent hair removal. Even in the genital area. Find out more at: Permanent Hair Removal With IPL - What To Look For!
