The Ultimate Post-Hair Removal Skin Care Guide
So, you have decided to remove your unwanted body hair on your own. There are a few methods to try, but you must know how to care for your skin post-hair removal.
The different kinds of hair removal techniques
Hair removal is an ancient science that has been perfected over the years. The earliest methods used razor blades, or semi-hard caramel to stick on the skin and pull off the hair.
The most common methods of hair removal are:
Shaving: This uses a razor blade to cut the hair away from the surface of the skin. It removes all visible hair, but it grows back in a couple of days in the form of a rough stubble. After it grows a certain length, the hair looks and feels normal.
Threading: This method uses a thread to loop the unwanted hair and tug it out of the skin.
Depilatory cream: A hair removal cream is applied to the skin and wiped away with a damp cloth. The hair comes away easily and painlessly.
Waxing: A sticky layer of hot or cold wax is applied on the skin, and then pulled off swiftly to remove all the hair adhering to the strip.
Laser removal: A laser beam burns off the hair follicles so that the entire shaft is removed. It is administered under clinical conditions.
Next steps…
Depending on the method of hair removal, you must use the right skin care products to treat the skin and soothe any lingering irritation.
* Shaving: This method of hair removal strips the skin of moisture and makes it dry. Also, the razor blades may nick the skin and cause minor bleeding. Take care to treat the nicked areas with antiseptic solution or cream, and bandage them for a day if needed. You can use a mild moisturiser on the shaved skin to keep it hydrated. Doing this also reduces the itchy sensation that arises from the rough stubble that crops up in a couple of days.
* Threading: This can cause surface abrasion through friction between the thread and the skin. However, the sensation goes away in a few minutes. You can apply a soothing talc to the area to alleviate any lingering burning sensation.
* Depilatory cream: Though this is the most painless method of hair removal, it does cause skin dryness. Just like shaving, we recommend applying a good moisturiser to the treated skin after the slight tingling or redness have passed. Take care to use a cream suited to your skin type, or ask your doctor about the best one for you before you buy it. You should try the Intense Hydration Body Lotion from Kaya Skin Products to soothe the skin and prevent an occurrence of itching or redness.
* Waxing: This is a whole new kettle of fish that can cause discomfort both during and after the hair removal. Waxing is totally incident-free for most women, while others experience post-session issues like hair ingrowth, skin redness, soreness, surface bleeding (if the same area has been repeatedly waxed), etc. Also, different skin types react differently to waxing, with combination and sensitive types suffering the most. First wait for the tingling and irritation to subside completely. This can take a couple of hours. Also check if the waxing has caused any skin scraping – if it has, apply a soothing salve to it. Once you are certain that the waxed skin is fine, wipe it clean with flannel placed in the fridge. The cool temperature closes the pores and soothes the skin. Meanwhile, apply a cold compress to areas that are mildly painful. Let the treated areas be for 24 hours, then apply a good moisturiser on the skin for a couple of days.
* Laser hair removal: This is the big one among hair removal methods, particularly since it is administered by a doctor. The skin can become peeled and sore after treatment, and it may take a fortnight or a month of rigorous post-session care to bring it back to normal. We recommend following the doctor’s orders on this one, right from what kind of food to eat to the best skin care products to use to deal with the treated skin and its temporary issues.
