Hair Removal Machine
Hair Removal is the removal of unwanted hair, usually from the face or body. It can be done for cosmetic, hygienic, cultural, or sexual reasons.
Plucking or tweezing is an easy, cheap method for removing single stray hairs. However, it can be painful and may cause a compulsive disorder known as trichotillomania.
Shaving
Shaving is the simplest and most common method of removing hair from the body. It involves using a razor or any other bladed implement to cut hair off at skin level, most commonly from the face and legs. Many men and women shave regularly, as part of daily grooming or in preparation for activities such as intimate encounters or swimming. Shaving is also one of the most cost-effective methods of hair removal and can be done quickly and at home.
Although it is sometimes claimed that shaving causes hair to grow back thicker, this is false. The only effect of shaving is to change the appearance of the hair by giving it a blunt, more stiff end than it would have if not shaved, causing it to look and feel thicker than it would otherwise.
Most people have some unwanted hair, or “fluff” on their bodies. In some cases this hair is a natural result of genetics, aging, illness (such as polycystic ovarian syndrome) or medications (such as steroids). In other situations it may be the result of cultural or hygienic concerns or simply the result of over-plucking or over-tweezing. Whatever the reason, there are many options for removing body hair, some cheaper than others and some more painful or longer-lasting than others.
Tweezing
Tweezing is a technique in which you pluck hairs from the root using a pair of tweezers. This can be a useful alternative to shaving for certain areas like the eyebrows, where you want more precision. However, this method can also cause ingrown hairs if not done correctly. You should use a pair of sterilized tweezers and avoid pulling out the entire hair, as this may irritate the skin or break off the root. It’s also important to always pluck hairs in the direction they grow, rather than against them.
Tweezers can be uncomfortable, especially if you have very short hairs that are difficult to grip with the tips of your fingers. It’s best to use a warm shower or a hot washcloth to soften the hair and skin before you begin. You can also try a topical numbing cream that’s made specifically for tweezing, to reduce the pain and discomfort.
When you pull out a hair with tweezers, it often happens during its growing (anagen) phase, which can cause some inflammation in the hair follicle, says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist. This can lead to redness and swelling, but it’s usually only temporary. However, if you continue to pluck the same hairs over and over again, you can actually change the pattern of the growth for that follicle, which can result in it taking longer to grow back or causing finer, lighter hair.
Similarly, if you repeatedly pick at ingrown hairs, it can cause damage to the hair follicle and increase the likelihood of future ingrown hairs, according to dermatologist Gary Goldenberg, M.D., of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. This can also trigger inflammation and scarring. If you have ingrown hairs, you can use a sterile needle to loosen them from the surrounding tissue or apply an ice cube to reduce swelling and redness.
Another option is epilation, a procedure that removes several hairs at once from the surface of the skin. This is typically performed by a professional and can be more comfortable than shaving. It can be a little bit more expensive than tweezing, though, and it can take up to an hour per area.
Threading
Originally from South Asia and the Middle East, threading is a hair removal technique that uses a twisted cotton thread to lasso and remove hair at its root. A skilled practitioner can quickly remove hair from a large area, so it is a popular option for eyebrow shaping and other parts of the face. Threading is less invasive and more precise than waxing, which can pull and stretch the skin, potentially facilitating wrinkles. It can also be more comfortable for people with sensitive skin.
In a typical eyebrow threading session, the practitioner will start by cleaning the targeted skin (even if you arrive with bare skin) to make sure there’s no lingering makeup or skincare residue that could irritate your face. Then, they’ll either hold one end of the thread in their mouth or use their neck to keep it taut while their hands position the thread to remove and shape hairs.
As they move the thread across the surface of your skin, they’ll align it to any unwanted hairs and gently open their right fingers to pull the twists of thread toward their left hand. Once they’ve pulled all the hairs out of their follicles, they’ll finish by lightly brushing away any remaining strands of thread with their hand or using some sort of cooling gel to soothe your skin.
While it’s less common than shaving, threading can also be used to get rid of hair on other areas of the face—including above the lip and on the legs. In those cases, a trained practitioner can map out the area to be threaded, like an artist, so they know where each hair starts and ends. They may even use a little bit of lotion to keep your skin soft.
The good news is that most people who have tried it find threading to be less painful than waxing, and they often see results much faster as well. But, it’s still not as quick and easy as tweezing, so don’t expect to walk out of the salon with a flawless face. In fact, it’s probably best to expect moderate bruising and swelling in the immediate aftermath of threading, but that usually subsides within an hour or so.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is a permanent hair removal technique that has been around for more than 100 years. A trained electrologist places a small piece of pre-sterilized wire into the opening of each hair follicle beneath the skin. The wire then conducts an electric current that destroys the follicle and stops it from producing another hair. It is the only form of permanent hair removal backed by the FDA, and it can be used to remove unwanted hair in any area of the body.
The process is very precise and targeted, allowing the electrologist to destroy each hair individually and in small groups of follicles. A follicle can only produce a hair when it is at its most active stage of growth. If it is destroyed during one treatment, the hair will not grow back; however, if it is only damaged during a single session, undernourished and weaker hair may replace the healthy follicle. For this reason, it is important to have multiple sessions scheduled.
While many people worry about discomfort with electrolysis, it is important to remember that everyone has a different tolerance level. You should discuss this with your electrologist, and they will make every effort to ensure you are comfortable during the process.
Before undergoing electrolysis, you should research the electrologist you will be working with. Some places that advertise electrolysis may actually be using electronic tweezers or photoepilators, which are not permanent hair removal methods. You should also look for a clean and sanitary environment, as well as a person who takes pride in their work and is respectful of your personal comfort.
The number of sessions needed to achieve permanent hair reduction with electrolysis varies from person to person. Because the treatment targets each individual hair follicle, you will need several treatments to eliminate the hair in the desired area. This is why it is a good idea to schedule your appointments weekly or every other week until the desired area is clear. If you do not maintain a regular schedule, the results will not be as permanent and the cost will increase.
