SCL GUIDE TO HAIR REMOVAL
METHODS*
*Note: Whilst every attempt
has been made to ensure that this guide is accurate, SCL cannot accept any
liability for any errors or omissions.
If you have any doubt, seek professional advice before starting any
treatment.
Which
areas?
In theory, whether you are
male or female, all hair can
be removed. Indeed, some SCL
members do precisely that, shaving off every last hair from the top of the head
to the bottom of the feet - even eyebrows - in their quest for total
hairlessness! Consequently, this
guide covers the removal of hair from every area of the head, face and
body. Of course, there may be
considerable pressure for you not to remove hair even if the idea
appeals. Our advice is to
experiment gradually until you achieve the smooth state that you want –
whether it be partial or total depilation.
Don’t let anyone else dictate to you - it is your body! Pluck up courage and go for it! All hair removal is acceptable as far as
SCL is concerned and we encourage everyone to achieve their ideal smooth state. If in doubt, get really
smooth!
We are all different and we
all have different types of body hair.
It is a case of trial and error to find a method which suits you
best. Most methods are temporary
but permanent or long lasting methods are available. You need to be sure that you want to be
permanently smooth before going down this route.
We start with a brief tour,
moving from the top of the head to the toes and then go on to discuss the various methods of removing hair and
set out the advantages and disadvantages of each:-
Head to toe
guide
Head
Better options:
shaving; laser
Eyebrows
Best
options:
shaving; (NB eyebrows can
take quite a long time to grow back - from 2-6 weeks. Do NOT use laser, electrolysis, waxing,
sugaring, epilation or depilatory cream without taking
advice)
Eyelashes - only for the most determined
- extreme caution is
needed!
Best
options:
plucking; careful trimming (NB eyelashes take a very long
time to grow and great caution is needed to avoid nicks and cuts and infection
of the eyelids. Do NOT use laser,
electrolysis, waxing, sugaring, epilation or depilatory cream without taking
advice)
Ears and
Nose
Best
options:
plucking; careful trimming; depilatory cream on outer ear (NB caution is needed to avoid
nicks and cuts. Do NOT use laser,
electrolysis, waxing, sugaring, epilation or depilatory cream inside the ear or
nose without taking advice)
Face and
Neck
Best
options:
shaving (men); waxing, sugaring and depilatory cream (ladies);
laser
Back and
Shoulders
Best
options:
shaving; waxing; sugaring; depilatory cream; laser
Underarms
Best
options:
shaving; depilatory cream; waxing; sugaring; laser;
electrolysis
Chest
Best
options:
shaving (NB caution around
nipples to avoid cutting); waxing; sugaring; depilatory cream;
laser
Arms and
Hands
Best
options:
shaving (NB caution around
elbows, wrists and knuckles to avoid cuts); waxing; sugaring; depilatory cream;
epilation; laser
Abdomen
Best
options:
shaving; waxing; sugaring; depilatory cream; laser
Pubic
area
Best
options:
shaving (NB caution around
delicate areas; penis and scrotum in men and vagina in women to avoid cuts and
always shave with the grain to avoid rashes and nicks. Do NOT use laser, electrolysis, waxing,
sugaring, epilation or depilatory cream on the genitals themselves without
taking advice)
Bottom
Best
options:
shaving; waxing; sugaring; depilatory cream; laser
Anal
area
Best
options:
shaving (NB caution is needed
to avoid infection - ensure cleanliness of the area before shaving Do NOT use laser, electrolysis, waxing,
sugaring, epilation or depilatory cream without taking
advice)
Legs and
Feet
Best
options:
shaving (NB caution around
shins, ankles, back of knees and toe joints to avoid cuts); waxing; sugaring;
depilatory cream; epilation; laser
Hair Removal
Methods
Shaving
Shaving is the most widely
used method of hair removal. The
main advantages are that it is quick
and easy. It is inexpensive
and requires no training. The
disadvantages are that it is drying to the skin and that the hair is only
removed to skin level. It can cause
redness to the skin; the skin can easily be cut and scarring can occur,
especially around the ankles.
Shaving is not recommended for people with varicose veins. Dark or heavy growth may need to be
shaved every day and regrowth can be uncomfortable, stubbly and itchy. It is impossible for shaving to
cause hair growth to increase or to stop hair from
growing!!!
Wet shave or dry
shave?
Members seem to be divided
pretty well equally. Dry shaving
with an electric shaver reduces the chances of nicks and scarring but isn’t
quite as smooth. It tends to dry
the skin. It isn’t good for ‘nooks
and crannies’. Depending on the
razor, awkward areas can be depilated without difficulty. Don’t shave against the grain unless you
know what you are doing – you may get a smoother result but cuts and rashes are
very likely. Most razors will
provide excellent results but we have received numerous good reports about
Gillette Sensor Excel and Mach 3.
The Mach 3 does give a particularly smooth result on larger areas (eg
head, chest, arms and legs) and irritation is minimal but its larger cutting
head means it isn’t so good in difficult to reach areas (eg between the cheeks
of the bottom) or around the nipples.
Razors with two blades rather than three are better for these
areas.
Rash
problem?
There is no easy
answer. Much seems to depend on the
individual concerned and the area involved. Chafing appears to be the major
factor. Try both wet and dry
shaving; different shaving gels or foam and try having a good warm soak before a
wet shave. Copious amounts of talc
after shaving can help. If
possible, try not to cover the shaved area – stay naked!
Shaving is:
Good for: head to toe depilation
Not good for: long lasting
smoothness; bottom (awkward to shave), ears and nasal hair (danger of cutting)
* * * * *
*
Depilatory
creams
These dissolve the protein
keratin which makes up the hair.
The advantages are that it can be done at home in your own time with no
risk of cutting or scarring. No
training is necessary and it can be done reasonably quickly. It also leaves the skin feeling smoother
than shaving. The disadvantages are
that creams are an expensive way to treat large areas and irritation can
occur. The chemical action of the
cream often reacts with the skin before the creams start to work. It is essential to follow the
instructions with the depilatory cream and to try a test patch first. The creams work better on long hair than
stubble and some have an unpleasant smell.
Use extreme caution before using on
genitals/bottom!
Members have had mixed
results with creams. Some have had
skin reactions and others have had patchy results. This may be caused by not leaving the
cream on for long enough or by not applying the cream evenly. With practice better results have been
achieved.
Depilatory creams
are:
Good for: head to toe
depilation
Not good for: eyebrows (they
may not grow back); sensitive areas.
* * * *
*
Plucking/Trimming
Using tweezers, is an ideal
way of removing single hairs. It
can be done at any time and does not disturb the surface of the skin if done
properly. The disadvantages are
that hairs are easily broken; it can be a little painful; it isn’t suitable for
large areas and is time consuming.
Trimming individual hairs close to the skin is a painless
alternative.
Plucking
is:
Good for: eyebrows,
eyelashes, ears, nasal hair and stray hairs
Not good for: large
areas
Trimming
is:
Good for: individual hairs
Not good for: eyelashes,
ears (danger of cutting)
* * * *
*
Epilation
These are electrical
plucking devices. The results are
longer lasting and the areas treated are smooth. It can be painful and isn’t normally
suitable for sensitive areas.
Realistically they are only suitable for arms and
legs.
Epilation
is:
Good for: arms and
legs
Not good for: sensitive
areas
* * * *
*
Waxing
This is the removal of the
entire hair by using hot or warm wax, cold wax or wax strips. Any part of the face or body can be
treated, though once again caution is needed before treating eyebrows. It is a quick method of hair removal as
many hairs are removed in one go.
Hair loss will occur with repeated treatment (but this is by no means
guaranteed and will take a long time).
Over a period of time regrowth can become finer. The disadvantages are that it can be
painful if done incorrectly or in the wrong conditions. Hair can be broken and reactions can
occur. People with varicose veins
and skin complaints are not usually suitable. Short hairs are not removed, so
invariably there is a period where hair has to be allowed to grow before further
waxing can take place. Waxing can
be done yourself but better results are usually obtained by visiting a
professional beautician.
Members have reported
excellent results but much depends on the strength and type of hair being
waxed. Hair can become visible
within a matter of days – don’t necessarily assume that skin will be hair free
for the length of time indicated in the advertisements!
Waxing
is:
Good for: full body
depilation
Not good for: eyebrows;
sensitive areas; varicose veins
* * * *
*
Sugaring
This is an ancient art of
hair removal which probably originates in
Sugaring
is:
Good for: full body
depilation
Not good for: eyebrows;
sensitive areas
* * * *
*
Electrolysis
This is the only method of
permanent hair removal with the possible exception of laser and light based
treatments (which are quite new and may be long lasting rather than
permanent). It involves passing a
needle with an electrical current into the hair follicle or alternatively
passing a current down a hair shaft.
The current destroys the root of the hair and eventually leads to
permanent hair removal. It can be
done at home but it is not recommended.
It is far better, quicker and safer to go to a qualified
electrologist. Home kits are really
only suitable for fine hairs. The
advantages are that the result is permanent and the skin will remain smooth and
hair free. The disadvantages are
that it can be very expensive and it is undoubtedly very slow. It may take many treatments before the
hair is removed permanently.
Good for: head to toe
depilation
* * * *
*
Laser/light based
treatments
These are relatively new
procedures which may prove result in permanent hair removal. They haven’t been around long enough to
be sure – so don’t believe anyone who claims that the results are permanent
without checking the latest research.
Until recently it was only suitable for pale skinned and dark haired
people. The darker the skin and the
lighter the hair the less successful the treatment. More recent developments suggest that
all skin and hair types can be treated.
It is similar to electrolysis but instead of an electric current, light
is aimed at the hair follicle. The
root is destroyed instantaneously.
Depending on the type of light, one or more hairs can be treated at
once. The treatment is time
consuming but is far quicker than electrolysis. At present it is rather expensive.
Good for: head to toe
depilation
Not good for: eyebrows and
eyelashes (too close to the eyes)
Summary
There are no ideal methods
of removing hair – each has advantages and disadvantages. Much depends on your skin type and your
pocket. With advances in technology it is only a matter of time before hair
removal can be done quickly, cheaply and permanently. Until then, try the various
methods and stick with the one that suits you best.
Our last piece of advice is
to experiment until you find your ideal smooth state and don't worry about the
results - hair will grow back.
If you notice any
inaccuracies in this guide, or if you become aware of any new technology or
improved depilation techniques send an email to smoothnaturism@yahoo.co.uk
!