Other Treatment Options
Plucking. This is the most common cosmetic method and works well if the problem is a few scattered hairs. Wash the area first and dab on a little alcohol with a cotton ball. Use good tweezers to remove the hair by pulling it out in the direction it is growing. Plucking is a temporary solution. It does not make hair grow back darker or coarser. Plucking causes rupture of the hair bulb and associated bleeding. The possibility of infection in the follicle is always present.
Shaving. This is another popular, but temporary, method. This can be very irritating to the skin. Women commonly shave their underarms and lower legs but shaving is also safe for facial hair.
Waxing. Wax removal is popular for removing hair on the upper lip, chin, and legs. There are two types of waxes, "hot" and "cold."
Hot waxing involves heating the wax until it is melted and then applying to the area. The hair becomes embedded in the wax as it cools and hardens. After it cools and sets, it is quickly stripped off in the direction of the hair growth. "Cold" waxes work similarly. Strips that are pre-coated with wax are pressed in the skin in the direction of the hair growth and pulled off in the opposite direction.
Both methods last longer than other temporary methods because the hair is pulled out below the skin's surface. New hairs generally appear after a month. Waxing can be painful and may irritate the skin. Waxing is not recommended for diabetics or people with circulatory problems.
Additionally, waxes should not be used over varicose veins, moles or warts, eyelashes, inside the nose or ears, on the nipples or genital areas, or on irritated, chapped, sunburned or cut skin.
Hair Removers. Depilatories are chemical agents that dissolve hair protein. They can be bought in the form of a foam, cream or lotion and applied directly on the skin and rinsed off within 5 to 10 minutes (see package for time). This method can cause a slight burning sensation sometimes followed by a rash. If you begin to feel uncomfortable, rinse the cream off immediately.
Laser. This is a more expensive treatment and is done by a trained physician. The possible side effects of this treatment include redness, possible darkening of light-complexioned skin and lightening of dark-complexion skin and scarring. Usually the treated area is covered during the healing period and then kept covered with a moist solution to prevent possible to prevent infection. Additionally, avoiding sunlight during the healing is recommended so that the pigmentation does not discolor.
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