ibp GmbH certified by:
Wellness
Body Hair
Originally, hair's prime purpose was to serve like a temperature regulator. Over the years (since the dawn of man), man has shed a good portion of his "fur".
However, although the body still dawns fine, peachy-type hair all over, it is most densely found on the head and in the pubic area. These fine hair serve following function: they actually enlarge the skins surface and promote circulation (ex. heat) with the body's surroundings.
On the other hand, these hairs also retain moisture, which is an important reason why dense patches of hair are usually found near sweat glands like in the armpit region for example.
As a rule, men's hair growth is stronger than that of women, especially on extremities and places like the chest and back. Furthermore, it is also more acceptable for men to have hair in places other than their heads, armpits and around their genital area.
This is not so for women and would probably be considered a serious cosmetic problem. In fact, most societies would consider this unhygienic and unattractive. As such, more and more women seek epilation methods.
What is epilation?
Epilation is defined as a means of removing hair by the roots. Again, this is usually done for cosmetic purposes, or sometimes for medical reasons like for the treatment of a fungal disease.
By now, a variety of methods have been developed in treating unwanted hairs including electrolysis, waxing, the use of specially designed tweezers, as well as other types of epilators (pumice, lotions and creams), just to mention a few. A long-term effective but "radical" way is through the use of lasers and rays. However, the latter two methods have been surpassed by modern day technology.
Methods and their effects
Body hair primarily consists of keratin, in essence the hardened skin cells. Embedded in the skin, hair growth is generated from the follicle, of which cells possess the ability to split. Scalp hair can grow up to 0,03 mm a day (other areas of the body are noticeably slower).
Shaving has proven to accelerate the growth of facial hair, which makes it necessary to shave on a regular basis once started.
To avoid this, many women have turned to other methods of epilation; in many cases this will include the complete removal of the follicle. This more than painful approach all too often results in damaging or irritating the skin.
However, as a matter of fact most methods of epilation do not remove the roots, but damage them. The result is not the stoppage of the hair growing back, it rather only delays its return. This means that regularly repeated "painful" treatments are necessary.
Chemical treatment is the least painful method available. This usually comes in form of creams and lotion, which will not destroy the follicle but rather dissolve the keratin. Waxes, the use of pumice or electrolysis are merely mechanical means.
Hot wax
First and foremost, the wax binds the hair to it and seizes it whilst pulling the wax off the skin. The principle is more or less the same as when pulling off a band-aid. Various chemical supplements in the wax help keep the pain to a minimum.
Although hot wax products are widely used by beauticians, they are also readily available for home use. Consistent of sticky sugar-based and various care supplements, the wax is heated in the microwave or in hot water, applied to the skin, covered with a fleece-type strip, which is then quickly pulled off in a jerk-line manner. The hairs stick to the strip and come off.
However, all too often it is the inexperienced person who will leave the wax on the dry skin too long, which will result in damaging the skin. That is why it is recommended, that professional treatment is sought for this method.
Epilators
The working principal of electrical epilators is that their rotating tweezers-like blades are designed to remove even the smallest of hairs, by their roots if possible. The resulting is the same as when using the waxing method; the legs remain smooth for a prolonged period. Any initial minor discomforts subside relatively quickly, as the user gets used to this type of treatment.
Advantage:
The unit can be used immediately without inconvenient preparations.
However, prior to using such a unit one should note the following:
The skin has to be totally dry and oil/fat free. Moisture will soften the skin and make it more sensitive. Longer hairs should be shaved off a few days before treatment. Thereafter one should only treat the stubs to avoid discomfort.
Not all areas of the body are treatable with such an epilator, such as sensitive skin (ex. armpits), nor around the groin region. The latter area should generally be avoided, as the skin is very sensitive and quite wrinkly and thus prone to skin damage.
