Hair removal myths & facts
Natural? Normal? Body hair is both! But since the days of the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, we’ve been going to great lengths to remove it. And as an esthetician, I’ve heard of some pretty wild hair removal tactics, from hair remover mittens to sandpaper (reallly? ouch!) to terrible smelling depilatory creams full of harsh chemicals!
There are also some pretty crazy myths out there about body hair. And until you have the facts, it will be hard to make the right decision about if and how to remove your body hair. In hopes of setting the record straight, let’s look at some of the most common body hair theories I’ve come across… and whether they are fact or fiction!
#1 Body hair grows faster in the winter
False, our body hair actually grows faster in the summer and slower in the winter!
Here’s why: With the summer months come warmer temperatures. The body responds to this by increasing blood circulation and with it, more of the nutrients needed to produce keratin, the protein that hair is made of. And since we live in Hawai’i and have mild winters, our bodies tend to produce more keratin year-round!
#2 Hair grows back coarser if you shave it
Nope! All shaving does is remove the hair closest to your skin, but at an angle. The problem is, your hair doesn’t grow at an angle. It grows back straight, making it feel coarse and thick as it grows back, when in fact the actual texture of your hair hasn’t changed at all.
Well, so what if it’s not coarser! It can still feel scratchy and who wants to deal with that sensation. Not you! Which is why waxing is an outstanding alternative. Keep reading and I’ll explain …
#3 If you get a wax for hair removal, the hair will grow back slower
I’m happy to tell you that this is 100% true! Whether it’s a bikini wax, underarm, or otherwise, the process removes the hair from the root. Every time hair is removed by waxing (or sugaring!) the hair follicle is damaged and the body has to grow a new strand of hair. If you keep up with waxing, over time your hair will grow back slower and softer. Eventually, it’s possible that the hair will stop growing permanently!
#4 The thicker your hair, the longer you’ll need to leave on the depilatory
So untrue …and risky! Using a depilatory might seem like a cheap, fast alternative to shaving when it comes to removing hair. But there’s a reason the product package includes instructions on how long to leave the depilatory on. Depilatories are made of chemicals that may remove excess hair, but they have also been linked to chemical burns, allergic reactions, and skin irritation. If you insist on using a depilatory, please follow the instructions carefully. If you’d rather not expose your skin to all those chemicals (which it absorbs, since your skin is your biggest organ), then consider giving waxing or sugaring a try!
#5 You can get the same results from an at-home hair removal treatment as professional hair removal
True? False? That depends! If you’ve gone to esthetician school to learn the techniques and get practice removing hair, and you’re using a professional grade waxing kit, then you’ll probably get good results waxing yourself. If you haven’t been taught the best hair removal techniques and you’re using an at-home waxing kit, chances are high that you’ll run into trouble. If you don’t want to deal with the pain and sticky mess of an at-home waxing kit, you don’t have to!
If you’re ready to put down that razor for good and you know your skin deserves better than the chemicals of a depilatory, then professional hair removal is your ticket to happier, hair-free skin! Still deciding between sugaring or waxing? I’m here to help!
Contact me with your hair removal questions… or schedule an appointment with me today!
Hugs & Aloha,
Kacie
Serving North Kona, Captain Cook, Kealakekua, Holualoa, Honaunau, Hookena, and the greater South Kona area
