Hair Removal

With the hot weather here, many women are looking for effective, long-lasting and relatively painless ways to Tremove unwanted leg, arm and bikini-line hair. There are a number of options that use two types of hair removal. Depilation is the removal of the hair shaft from the skin's surface. Epilation is the removal of the hair root from the base of the hair follicle.
We have hair follicles all over our bodies, except for our feet and hands. They are bulb shaped sacs that contain the hair root. Before puberty, the follicles produce thin, fine vellus hairs, but once hormone production begins, the male hormone androgen signals the follicle to produce thick, coarse, darker hair. Excessive body hair most often affects those individuals with dark hair and eyes.

Disorders such as anorexia nervosa or compulsive dieting disrupt estrogen production and can result in excessive body hair. A well-balanced diet that is rich in vitamin E will stabilize normal hair growth. Eating liver-cleansing foods is also important, since part of the liver's function is to metabolize the body's hormones. Most women have normal hormone levels, but their hair follicles are sensitive to the smallest amounts of androgen. High levels of androgen affect between one and two per cent of the population. In those cases, there are vitamin supplements and herbal remedies which can assist in balancing and increasing estrogen levels.

A way to maintain estrogen activity in the body is to take at least three grams of vitamin C with bioflavonoids daily. They work at delaying estrogen break down. Also taking 400 to 800 international units (IU) of natural vitamin E with mixed tocopherols, which contain traces of estrogen, will help increase levels. The herbs burdock root, licorice root, alfalfa, black, cohosh, sage, raspberry, siberian ginsing and damiana all have estrogenic properties. While primrose oil and black current oil will increase the hormone's development, saw palmetto blocks androgen production.

Quick Shave

The quickest and least painful method of hair removal is shaving. When you shave, the hair is cut at skin level. It is a myth that shaving stimulates increased hair growth. The hair shaft has been cut at its widest point, which is why the hair appears to be fuller when it grows back. To ensure that your skin doesn't become irritated, there are a number of natural shaving lotions on the market. They contain coconut oil, soy protein silica, avocado oil and comfrey for their emollient properties. Lemongrass, peppermint, landy mantel, horsetail and orange flower are used for antiseptic purposes. Sage, camomile, arnica and aloe relieve pain and heal any skin irritation during shaving.

The idea of shaving upper lip hair can be very upsetting. Since there are no natural-based depilatories, many women turn to chemical cream depilatories. The thioglycolic acid in cream depilatories works by attacking the keratin protein in the hair shaft to the point where the hair breaks off at the skin surface. However, this caustic chemical can cause skin irritation.

Waxing and sugaring are popular methods of hair removal. They can be done at home or in a salon. The natural hot or cold wax or hot sugar is applied to the skin and peeled back quickly, taking with it the unwanted hair. The hair is removed from the follicle at the root. Your hair must be at least one quarter of an inch in length before you either wax or sugar. It takes three to six weeks for the hair to grow back. The new shaft will grow in with a tapered point and appear thinner. The level of discomfort varies from person to person. After repeated treatments the hair follicle will become damaged and no longer be able to produce new hair. People with with diabetes, warts, varicose veins and circulation problems should approach waxing and sugaring with caution.