Top 10 Tips For Shaving
January 20, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
#1 – Wash the skin in lukewarm water – this will soften the skin and open the pores making it easier to shave and avoid tugging on the hair follicle that can cause irritation. A cleanser with ingredients that help to soothe and calm will help minimise irritation.
#2 – Use a sharp razor. A dull razor will only drag at and irritate the skin and can be the cause of razor burn and ingrown hairs.
#3 – Don’t rub at your face to dry it – it will dry just as well patted gently with a whole lot less irritation to your skin.
#4 – When you have finished shaving rinse the area thoroughly in lukewarm water. Residue of shaving soaps can cause the skin to be irritated and itchy.
#5 – Avoid the use of alcohol based and harsh astringent type aftershave lotions. These can often dry out the skin causing dry skin and itching in the area shaven. They are not really necessary – if you want to close pores, cold water is just as effective and less drying.
#6 – If your hair is coarse or thick avoid disposable razors. They are seldom up to the job and may pull and drag at the hairs and the skin.
#7 – Multiple blades give a very clean shave and the less irritation there is to hair follicles the less chance of ingrown hairs, razor bumps and razor burn occurring.
#8 – Shaving twice against the grain or across the grain can give tougher hair growth a very close shave but may irritate the skin for some people.
#9 – Razor burn can be reduced by keeping the face moist during shaving and not creating too much drag on the skin. The less drag the less irritation there will be.
#10 – Shaving is hard on the skin and is both drying and damaging It is important to use a moisturiser after shaving that has no irritating ingredients such as perfumes and colours. XXX Skinsaviour Cream is ideal as it has ingredients that are calming and soothing and has a mild antibacterial action to help with shaving nicks and cuts.
Hirsutism – What Is It?
January 6, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
There is a wide range of attitude between different women on the amounts of body hair that are thought of excessive. What one woman is comfortable with another could not entertain living with. Hirsutism causes hair to grow in areas that we don’t necessarily expect a woman to have coarse mature hair such as the upper lip or chin.
Hirsutism – is defined as the excess conversion of vellus or very fine baby hair that has no pigment and therefore we can’t easily see to terminal hair that is more pigmented, mature hair that we can see quite easily. An example of where this naturally occurs in us all is the conversion of underarm or pubic vellus hair of an undeveloped child to the terminal visible hairs of a sexually mature of an adult. Therefore it is not seen before puberty.
As women age they are again subject to an increase in Hirsutism as there is an increased production of androgens at menopause as oestrogen decreases. Terminal hairs can be mainly found in areas of the body that have sites dependant on androgen to testosterone such as the beard area, neck, chest, abdomen and the inner thigh area of the upper Excessive hair growth in non androgen dependent areas is called hypertrichosis.
Androgens such as testosterone are produced by the adrenal gland and the ovaries so it is important to investigate what the cause of the hirsutism may be. Some families do have a constitutional tendency for this to happen but it is best to consult a medical practitioner if severe to seek a diagnosis.
How can I treat the unwanted hair?
Shaving
Shaves is another quick and easy answer that shaves off the hair at skin level. Shaving will not last for long and can sometimes leave stubble that can be both seen and felt. Ingrown hairs can be a problem as can razor rash.
Depilatories
Chemical process – a cream is applied that dissolves the hair after a few minutes. Patch test on the wrist first to check for allergies and irritation. Lasts somewhere between waxing and shaving.
Tweezing
Plucking out the hair is a quick, inexpensive convenient solution for small areas and must be performed almost daily as new hair comes through.
Waxing
Removes the hair by literally pulling it out by the roots. Can be done at home but it is wise to seek a professional waxer – at least until you learn the process. The hair will have to grow to a certain length in order for the wax to grip the hair.
Bleaching
Bleaching can lighten the colour of the hair and thus make it less visible. This is usually done with a hydrogen peroxide solution applied to the area you want to bleach. Can be done at home or in a salon.
Electrolysis
Electric current applied through a pair of tweezers. Quick for small areas and lasts well but can be quite painful.
Epilatories
Rubber roller or coiled spring that catches the hair so it can be pulled out from the roots. Not always an easy task to master.
Laser
Must be performed in a salon with an experienced operator in a series of treatment. Laser is painful for some and expensive but is semi permanent with only the occasional follow up treatment sometimes required.
Ways to get rid of unwanted hair
December 23, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
There are many ways to get rid of unwanted hair and no one way will suit everyone. Trying the different methods of hair removal will help you find the one that is best for you and best for your skin type. You may even find that you use one method on one area and another method on another – you could, for example wax your bikini line and shave your legs.
Waxing
Waxing is a method of hair removal that involves a thin layer of heated wax being applied to the skin and smoothed down with a piece of cloth so the hair sticks to both the wax and the strip of cloth as it cools down. The cloth is then quickly pulled off the skin and the hair is pulled out by the roots. As the roots are removed as well, this method of hair removal lasts several weeks. Most areas of the body can be waxed including areas of the face.
Shaving
Shaving is a popular method of hair removal as it is quick, cheap and can be done at home. With shaving the hair is cut off at the root at skin level so will only last a few days before the new hairs will reappear and will need to be shaved again for a smooth feel. Shaving is often a quick fix alternative.
Depilatories
A depilatory is a cream or a liquid that you apply to the area you want to remove hair from and it breaks down the protein in the hair, effectively causing them to break off slightly below the skin’s surface. You apply the cream and wait for a few minutes and then rinse the cream off. There are different depilatories for different areas of the skin.
Laser
There are many different types of laser on the market today but all are similar in that they emit a beam of light that passes through the skin to the follicle which is the base from which the hair grows. The melanin in the follicle absorbs the light which transforms into heat and effectively stops the hair follicle from being able to produce hair. Light skin and dark hair is the ideal combination for laser treatment, though newer lasers work well on darker skin.
Waxing and men
November 10, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Waxing has become more popular with men and not just athletes and body builders. Men are choosing to rid themselves of unwanted hair from all different areas of the body, sometimes to please a partner and sometimes for themselves. Waxing can be done at all ages, men typically getting hairier as they get older but younger males are more likely to have tried waxing to remove unwanted body and facial hair.
Is waxing different for a male?
Male’s hair like a male ‘s skin is coarser in texture and thicker than a woman’s. Sometimes this means that the waxing can be more expensive than for women as larger areas and more wax needs to be applied which means a longer appointment time too. Otherwise the before and after care is the same for both sexes. Waxing is a very safe procedure when done by a qualified professional but there are a few things to keep in mind.
Is waxing suitable for everyone?
- Never wax red, irritated skin or skin that has been sunburned
- Never wax skin that has any cuts or abrasions
- If any medications or creams are used containing retinoids then waxing should not be done as the skin becomes thinner and could tear
- People with varicose veins or have hairy moles should avoid those areas
- People with diabetes should seek medical advice before waxing
- If you have hair that is under 1/4” or 6mmm the wax will not be able to get a grip sufficient to pull the hairs out.
What is involved in waxing?
- The area to be waxed will need to be non greasy and completely dry
- The area being waxed will be covered with warm wax with a spatula
- A cloth or paper strip is placed on the wax and drawn up and away quickly to remove the wax and hairs attached to it
- The complete hair and the root are removed – so yes you will be hair free for a while and yes it hurts!
- A soothing, calming lotion will be applied after the waxing.
Is waxing for everyone?
November 10, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Almost anyone who wants to remove unwanted body hair is suitable for waxing both male and female. Waxing can be done on many different body parts including moustache, chin, eyebrows, legs, bikini line and the back. Waxing can be done at any age.
Who shouldn’t wax?
People who are taking oral retinoids, usually taken for skin conditions, should not have waxing done for at least six months to one year after the course of retinoids has been completed. Ask your dermatologist or doctor for advice.
The skin can thin while taking these medications and will be more prone to tearing and possible scarring. Retinoids may also be prescribed to be used topically, that is applied to the skin and waxing should not be done for 1-2 months after finishing the topical retinoid treatment.
Anyone who has skin that is broken, has sunburn or skin that is sore, red or irritated.
Before you wax
- If you are taking any medication check to see if it
not an oral retinoid or topical retinoid. - If you are doing it yourself – the skin should be non greasy and perfectly dry
- Always check the temperature before applying wax to the skin – wax that is too hot can give a nasty burn
- Check to see the area is not already irritated or broken
- Do not wax the same day you have exfoliated
- Consider getting waxing done professionally the first time so you can learn the process if you want to do your own waxing
After you wax
- Avoid direct sunlight exposure for at least twenty –four hours after waxing
- Loose clothing will feel more comfortable
- Massage or rubbing can further irritate the skin
- An icepack can be applied if the area is still painful after waxing, cover the icepack before applying to the skin
- A soothing lotion with anti inflammatory ingredients will help to relieve redness and soreness
Waxing
October 30, 2008 by admin · Leave a Comment
Waxing is considered to be the most efficient way of removing hair and can be used anywhere on the body. Unlike shaving, waxing removes the entire hair that we can see above the skin’s surface and the hair shaft beneath the skin’s surface. The hair is therefore much slower to re-establish and grow again than for shaving and can last from about 3- 8 weeks.
What is the waxing process?
Waxing consists of applying a warm melted wax, oil and rosin mixture with a spatula over the area of unwanted hair. A strip of muslin is then placed over the wax and as it hardens and grips the hairs the cloth is quickly pulled off taking the hair and the hair shaft with it. Some salons use hard wax where the type of wax used has to go hard first on an area before it is pulled off. It is also possible to cold wax, often found in home kits but this is not as effective as hot waxing
Why wax?
- Lasts longer and gives very smooth skin
- Has no harsh chemicals or chances of cutting the skin
- Does not cause pigmentation of the skin
- The hair that grows back is finer and softer
- Does not give the rough stubble of regrowth after shaving
- Repeated waxing can diminish hair growth
- Cost effective as you can do it yourself on most body parts
- Visit a professional first to learn the best procedure
Things you should know
- Waxing must be repeated – it is not permanent
- The hair needs to be at least .5cm or ¼ – ½ inch to give the wax enough grip to remove the hair successfully
- Expect it to hurt a little – waxing can be painful!
- Expect to have some redness and soreness for a few hours
- You can ask for a test patch to see what waxing feels like and see how the skin will react