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Be your own beautician
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Want a smooth, silky skin? Read on to find out some methods commonly used...
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I HAVE received a lot of queries on problems of excess hair and asking for the best methods to do get rid of them. This article will perhaps help answer all your doubts and queries. The article is in two parts. The first one deals with non-permanent hair removals methods and the second one will cover permanent methods. So here is all you wanted to know about hair removal of superfluous hair.
The human body has hair all over. Some people have more hair, while others have less. People with a light complexion have light coloured hair; so it is not noticeable. In a person with dark complexion, the hair is also dark; so it more noticeable. The problem of excess hair on the body is medically called `hirutism' and is hereditary, to a large extent. Some ethnic groups tend to have more hair than the others. Causes of excess hair on face/legs/arms:
The growth of superfluous hair is directly related to the hormonal changes in the body.
* During puberty, when hormonal changes occurs.
* Cysts or tumours in the ovaries, malfunctions of the adrenal glands, tumours of the other endocrinal glands such as the pituitary and thyroid which again leads to hormonal imbalance.
* Stress and tension also trigger excessive hair growth. * There are certain drugs that adversely react and cause hirsutism, the most common being birth control pills and cosmetic creams containing hydrocortisone.
Camouflaging and removing superfluous hair:
There are several methods to deal with the problem. While some can be done at home, others need to be done at a beauty parlour. Some latest technological advances do help in permanent removal; but, you need to go to an expert cosmetologist or a doctor. These will be discussed in the second part.
Home methods:
Bleaching: The method is good for concealing light, fine and fuzzy hair. But it should be avoided on dark hair as it turns yellow or orange. You can use any commercial cream bleach available in the market. Usually, a box of bleach contains a cream and a powder/crystals. Before applying any bleaching agent, always do a patch test on the back of your ear and wait for 20 minutes. If there is no reaction - itching, blisters etc., go ahead.
Home-made bleach recipe: Milk is a natural, and perhaps the best bleaching agent. Buy a box of whole milk powder (WHP) and follow this routine:
Mix two tablespoons of milk powder with 20 volume Hydrogen Peroxide slowly. Add only that much Hydrogen Peroxide so as to make a paste. Hydrogen Peroxide is usually available at the chemist shop (20 volume represents the strength and not the quantity).
To the paste, add a few drops of glycerine and apply. Leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse it. After rinsing, if your skin feels dry, apply a moisturiser.
Shaving:
It is the quickest and easiest method; but, it has to be done every 2-3 days. One misconception is that using a razor makes the hair grow coarser - this is not true. Shaving only leaves an oblique tip which feels coarse until the sharpness wears off.
Some dos and don'ts:
* Do not use an ordinary razor if you prefer to shave; use razor specially meant for women. It is called an `epilator'. Buy the one from a good company.
* Never dry shave with a razor - it is bad for your skin.
* If your skin is sensitive, apply some almond oil or moisturiser; then lather with shaving cream or soap. Use long upward strokes on legs and upwards under the arm.
* Do not use deodorants right after shaving. It can irritate the skin.
* If hair starts growing early, use a pumice stone to smoothen it.
Tweezing/Threading:
This is an excellent method for removing scattered hair on the face and eyebrows. It is not recommended for larger areas since pulling the hair roots can be painful and time consuming. Dos and don't:
* Always sterlise your tweezer to avoid infection.
* Constant and repeated tweezing leads to tiny pitted scars; do not tweeze very often.
* Do not pluck the hair from moles and warts.
* Rub ice on the area before and after tweezing or threading to ease the pain.
Waxing (hot wax):
This method is ideal for legs, arms and under arms. The more the area is
waxed, the less the hair grows as it damages the hair follicle. Hot wax is best for facial hair.
Waxing can be done both at home and a beauty parlour. Most of the beauty parlours use the hot wax method.
You can buy readymade wax from the market or make your own at home.
Ingredients:
Mix 500 gm sugar, 1 cup water, ¼ tsp. citric acid, ½ tsp. glycerine.
Method:
Heat water and sugar till sugar melts. Add citric acid dissolved in ½ cup of warm water. When it reaches one thread consistency, remove from the fire and add glycerine.
How to use:
* Clean arms/legs with a wet towel. Apply talcum powder and spread. This absorbs sweat and water.
* Warm the wax.
* Apply it with a waxing knife (available at beauty stores) to the skin in the direction of hair growth.
* Place a cellophane strip cut into 4" x 6" on top of the wax and press gently. You can use strips of muslin cloth or old bed sheets. Ppull off the strip quickly in
the opposite direction to the hair growth. Repeat on the next area.
Dos and Don'ts:
* Before applying the wax, check the temperature on your wrist as this avoids burns.
* Always use clean sterile strips. If you go to a beauty parlour, ask for disposable cellophane strips or make sure they are using sterlised cloth strips. Otherwise you are likely to get infection.
* In case tiny bumps develop after waxing, it may be an allergy. Take an Avil tablet before waxing.
* Spread the wax evenly.
* Place the strip in the middle of the wax spread area.
* Start at the bottom of the leg/arm and work upwards.
* Pull the strip upwards, away from the leg.
* To take the sting out of the waxing, immediately place a hand or a finger over the waxing area from where strip is pulled.
* Do not use deodorant or perfume immediately after waxing.
Hair removing creams or depilatories:
These remove hair chemically by dissolving it away at the skin level. Depilatories are available in the form of creams and liquids.
Method:
* Wash and dry the area to be depilated.
* Apply cream and leave it on for the specified period.
* Clean the area using cotton wool with soap and water and pat dry.
* Apply moisturising lotion after depilation.
Cold wax strips:
These are ready to use and when you are in a hurry, they serve the purpose. The method for their use and the do's and don'ts are the same as that for hot wax. Available at chemists.
Finally, it is very difficult to say which is the best method because every individual has different patterns of hair growth and sensitive skin. Use the trial and error method till you find the method most suitable to you.
* * *
Do you know...
The problem of excess hair on the body is medically called `hirsutism' and is hereditary, to a large extent
There are certain drugs that adversely react and cause hirsutism, the most common being birth control pills and cosmetic creams
Stress and tension also trigger excessive hair growth
The growth of superfluous hair is directly related to the hormonal changes in the body
LILY MADHOK
(The writer is a therapeutic beautician and director of Salon 2000, ITC Park Sheraton. Mail your queries to metro@thehindu.co.in)
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