Hair Removal Advice | Hair Removal

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Hair removal methods: Which works best?

Wax hair removal - for lasting smoothness

Wax hair removal is popular among women who want to be hair and stubble free for longer by removing the hair from the root. Wax can be used on all body parts using cold wax strips or warm wax. Hair should be no shorter than 1/4 inch to allow the wax to grip onto the hair. Our tips: Exfoliate beforehand - this opens up the hair follicles making it easier and less painful while helping to prevent ingrown hairs. Apply wax in the direction of hair growth, and pull in the opposite.

Shaving for women - quick and easy hair removal

Shaving is a popular hair removal method and can be easily done at home with the right products.

Our tips:

Change your razor blades regularly - dermatologists suggest you should change razor blades every five to seven uses to prevent injury, irritation to your skin and shaving rash.

Shave in the shower - when hairs are soft they're easier to cut, this allows you to get that close shave you're looking for.

Use shaving cream, shaving foam, or shaving gel - this provides protection to prevent damage to your skin and retains your skin's moisture.

Hair removal creams - easy, painless hair removal

Hair removal creams work with ingredients that dissolve keratin, allowing you to simply wipe away the hair with a small spatula. It can be used on a range of body parts and is easy to do. It takes up to 10 minutes on your skin for the cream to take effect. Our tips: Test your skin first - hair removal creams contain chemicals and can react to your skin, so testing first is important. Don't use on sensitive or damaged skin - this will irritate that skin and may cause discomfort.

How to choose?

Shaving: Perfect for quick and painless hair removal. Hair generally grows back within 1-3 days.

Wax Hair Removal: A cost-effective, long-lasting method of hair removal. Hot and cold wax both work well for home treatments and legs remain hair-free for 1-2 months.

Hair Removal Creams: Pain-free, no-hassle hair removal method for those who want to catch every last hair. This is done by dissolving the hairs and this lasts for 5-7 days.

Epilators: Great if you don't have sensitive skin and want long-lasting results. With an epilator you can use it time and again reaching even the smallest of hairs. Hair grows back within 1-2 months.

Laser Treatment: Permanent hair removal for people willing to spend more money on getting that silky smooth feel. This can be done using a laser at home, or by professionals.

Why is permanent hair removal so popular?

Laser hair removal is becoming increasingly more popular among women. What are the advantages of this hair removal method?

It is FDA approved, meaning the benefits of the product outweigh the potential risks.
90% of women who are good candidates for the procedure report permanent hair removal after 3-6 sessions.
It is time consuming and expensive to begin with, but allows you to gradually spend less time on hair removal as the hairs stop growing back.

But what are the negatives?

Some find laser hair removal slightly uncomfortable, others find it extremely painful.
Successful permanent hair removal depends on your hair type and skin, so some may be more successful than others.

More hair removal methods

Epilating - hair removal for both long and short hair Electric epilators pull multiple hairs out from the root using rotating discs or tweezers and, unlike waxing, can catch even short hairs. It is an effective hair removal method that lasts and is reusable. Our tips: Epilate after a warm bath or shower - this opens the pores to the skin and softens the hair to reduce pain. Pull the skin taut - this allows the epilator to catch as many hairs as possible. Electric razors - Similar to shaving, an electric razor cuts the hair at the surface of the skin These can be reused but cost more, and are less portable than manual razors. Approximately 7% of women prefer this hair removal method. Tweezing - to catch every last hair Tweezing is the perfect way to catch any hairs missed when using the hair removal methods we've already mentioned. It's also perfect for eyebrows and any stray facial hairs you want to remove. Our tips: Apply a hot flannel or have a warm shower beforehand - this opens the pours making the hairs easier to remove. Apply a cold flannel to your skin afterwards - this helps to reduce any redness and soothes the skin. Laser treatment - Permanent hair removal This involves light impulses penetrating deep into the skin, heating the root of the hair, and destroying it. This is a more expensive method of hair removal and requires many separate sessions to achieve this.

GIVE YOUR SKIN SOME TENDER LOVING CARE

Hair removal isn't just about removing every last hair on our bodies. We must treat our skin with care if we want to achieve that silky smooth look by preparing our skin, and looking after it afterwards.

Hair removal aftercare

After shaving, to lock in moisture try the NIVEA Rich Nourishing Body Lotion to soothe irritated skin from shaving.

After waxing, you should avoid putting any harsh chemicals or irritants onto recently waxed skin, NIVEA Rich Moisture Soft Caring Shower Cream is the perfect solution to calm your skin.

You should not expose your skin to intense sunlight after hair removal to protect it from sun damage and also to prevent irritations caused by perspiration. If you do want to go out in the sun you should make sure you always use sun lotion.

Apply a cold compress to any irritated areas to reduce redness and also calm the aggravated skin.

It's important to note that if you feel your skin is becoming irritated by frequent hair removal, you should consider taking a little break to allow your skin to recover. Here at NIVEA we have lots of nourishing and soothing products that can help with this, such as the NIVEA Creme & Oil Pearls Cherry Blossom Shower Cream.

What to do if hair removal isn't for you?

Many women don't want the hassle of hair removal, and even with the best advice and hair removal products around, they may decide it's not for them. Bleaching is a well-practised alternative to hair removal and it works by lightening the hair so that it stands out less. If you do choose to use this option, it's important to do a patch test on the skin to test how well your skin reacts to the chemicals.

NIVEA top tips for hair removal with sensitive skin

Every method of hair removal causes stress and strain on the skin. It's important to understand how you can limit this effect, especially if you have sensitive skin, when using any of these hair removal methods.

- Always use shaving cream, shaving gel, or shaving foam when shaving. These contain ingredients that prepare the skin, lock in moisture, and soothe the skin. They also act as a thin barrier to protect the skin.

- When waxing, never moisturise beforehand. You should not apply cream for 24 hours before using this hair removal method as it works best when the skin is free from oil and is dry. This is because it allows the hair to be caught by the wax and you will not have to keep repeating.

- Always apply a layer of cream to the skin after hair removal. Choose a paraben-free body lotion that contains soothing ingredients such as NIVEA Smooth Body Mousse or the NIVEA Rich Moisture Sensitive Shower Cream containing gentle chamomile extract.

- For particularly delicate areas, like armpits, using a gentle deodorant such as NIVEA Sensitive and Pure Anti-Perspirant Deodorant protects the skin from irritations.