If you are bothered by leg or armpit hair, there are various ways – painless and not-so-painless – to get rid of it.
Shaving
Shaving after a warm shower or bath is best. When buying a shaving cream, look for those that contain more moisturisers.
Always remember to apply a good, light body moisturiser deeply over freshly shaved skin for a smooth finish.
Though shaving is painless, you need to shave often to maintain hairless, smooth skin. To avoid ingrown hair, exfoliate twice a week using gentle circular movements with bath cloths.
If ingrown hairs are persistent, try treating the area with tea tree oil as it soothes the skin.
Waxing & depilation
Unlike what many think, home-waxing kits and depilatory creams are now fuss-free and pleasant to use. These products are also good for smaller, sensitive areas like the bikini line.
Do remember to test a depilatory cream on your forearm first, and never use them near your eyes or on broken skin. You will smell a slight, sharp odour – this means the chemicals are working to painlessly dissolve hair.
When removing the cream, find a slightly rough washcloth, wet it in warm water and gently scrub the cream away. The pressure will remove more of the hair follicles.
Strip waxing
Strip waxing involves a layer of warm wax being applied to the skin and removed with antiseptic cotton strips. There are a number of products like this and it’s fairly easy to do it on your own.
Hot waxing
Hot waxing has an ‘ouch’ factor of 4/5, and involves hot wax being spread onto the skin and flicked off once it has set slightly. The heat of the wax opens the pores, making it easier for the hair to be removed, with less breakage at the roots.
Due to its complexity, it is best done by a trained therapist.
