Laser Hair Removal good for Hairy Back?

Written by on December 12, 2006 · Leave a Comment

The link below is the story of a guy who sprouted a hairy back once he reached 30 and whose wife fondly calls him “Chewbacca” as a result.

He has taken the plunge with laser hair removal to increase his body confidence.

Though this method of hair removal isn’t a fully permanent solution for hairy back removal it will REDUCE hair permanently and can be managed from then on with maintenance sessions.

chewbacca

If your wife calls you Chewbacca, laser back treatment may be a good option

And if you can afford it, it is a good alternative to waxing. You do need very deep pockets though to afford it as the cost of laser back hair removal can be a few thousand dollars or pounds just for the initial treatments, let alone the top up sessions.

If affording it is a stretch then you may be motivated to save for your treatment or to use a credit plan. Doing without a few things can be well worth it if you hate your hairy back. This can make sense if you have tried other solutions and they were far from ideal for you.

If you have a partner who is willing to carry out regular treatments on your back you could also invest in a laser hair removal machine you use at home. These are not as strong as laser equipment found in clinics but the best machines do work over time and give you a smooth back with a lower investment.

Phil, the guy in the story, did not find that waxing helped due to the pain of the treatment and due to itching and stubbly regrowth after a few days. Most people find waxing painful but quite effective though you do have to have about a quarter of an inch of regrowth before another treatment becomes feasible which means looking less than smooth until you have enough hair.

The Sun Online – Real Life: My wife calls me Chewbacca

Categories: Hair Removal Stories, Laser Hair Removal - Tags: , ,

Give Threading a Try

Written by on December 28, 2007 · Leave a Comment

Threading, which originated in India in ancient times, is a great way of dealing with unruly brows. Although plucking and waxing are more common, threading has been gaining in popularity recently as a way of dealing with eyebrow hair, and with good reason.

Threading is quite gentle on the skin compared to waxing which tends to pull and irritate the skin – the action of the thread merely has a light exfoliating effect. An experienced beautician can treat eyebrows just as quickly too and the action is very precise compared to having wax painted around your brows to remove unwanted hair from the area.

Eyebrow threading

Eyebrow threading

While plucking (or tweezing) is slow, removing one hair at a time, threading can cover a larger area faster and it is a safe way to remove hair from above the brow as well as below which is more difficult with tweezers. You get a cleaner finish that way. Threading can trap the smallest hairs so you don’t need much regrowth to have another tidy up and stay looking your best.

If you have never had your eyebrows shaped in a salon (or it is a while since you had it done) why not treat yourself to a treatment – professionally shaped brows can really “lift” your eye area and your whole face benefits from the change.

Look out for “brow bars” in stores too, where you can easily have your eyebrows done during a shopping trip or lunch hour.

Categories: Hair Removal Tips - Tags: , , , ,

Review of the Philips Satinelle Epilator: Why I Use This

Written by on January 29, 2008 · Leave a Comment

Update May 2011 : The epilator market moves fast apparently because I could no longer find this model around when I was reviewing the latest models. If you are looking for a great little machine choose one of the epilators from Braun or Emjoi which you can find here. All of these hair removal machines work on basically the same principle and some seem to have a faster operation than the Santinelle due to a much large number of tweezer heads. Meanwhile my Satinelle is still going strong so I will wait until it gives up the ghost before I indulge in a new model :)

Philips Satinelle epilator

Philips Satinelle epilator

Original Post from January 2008 : I have a secret confession to make – I have been an epilator fan for years.

While my friends gripe about their waxing appointments and regrowth I simply don’t have any appointments to attend to keep my legs smooth. Regrowth can be taken care of in 5 minutes after my shower whenever I like.

Plus, an epilator must be the most economical way of keeping legs smooth. After the initial modest outlay for the machine, you keep smooth and hair free without any additional cost (unless you count a little recharge from the electricity supply now and again). I probably save the price of a foreign vacation every year because of this wonderful little hair plucker machine.

I started with the original Epilady which used rotating spirals to trap the hair and I can honestly say that after I got used to the sensation I had no problems with it at all. But after years and years of faithful service it finally gave up the ghost a couple of years ago and I had to choose a new epilator.

I would have bought the same Epilady model if I could but it was no longer to be found. After reviewing all the available models, I chose the Philips Satinelle epilator with massaging device which is designed to reduce pain.

I didn’t really think that the massaging device would do very much but I was interested enough to try it out and I trusted the Philips brand enough to know I’d be buying a good product. But the massaging attachment had to be a gimmick to make more sales I thought and as I was used to the sensation of the Epilady (which didn’t have any pain reduction mechanism at all) I wasn’t really that worried.

But I was very pleasantly surprised – even amazed by – the difference it made. In fact the massaging device is easily removable so you can instantly see the difference – there is simply less of an “ouch!” factor with it than without it!

The Philips Satinelle model works with a kind of multiple tweezing motion which I was worried would be less effective than the rotating spirals of my trusted Epilady but I find it is every bit as effective (if not more so) at trapping even very short hairs. So with a quick 5 minutes once a week I am back to having completely smooth legs all year round.

If you are thinking of getting an epilator then give the Philips Satinelle epilator a try.

Categories: Hair Removal Review - Tags: , , ,

Home Hair Removal

Written by on July 8, 2009 · Leave a Comment

Removing hair at home is great if you know what you are doing and there are quite a few methods of home hair removal to explore.

With a whole body to care for you, will probably find yourself using quite a few of these methods to suit not just particular parts of the body but also particular times of the year (different methods for summer and winter) and different stages in your life (you may need a different method of hair removal when you suddenly get ultra busy with a new job or a new baby).

Also your budget will have a big impact on the methods you can choose.

There are plenty of home hair removal solutions

There are plenty of home hair removal solutions

Some methods are a buy it once and then you’re set for a good long time (as in the case of some of the hair removal machines) while others you need to continue to buy strips and creams and refills. In any case you will always find removing hair at home cheaper than comparable methods at a salon.

Not only do you save a lot of money by taking care of your own beauty needs but you can manage your routine whenever it is convenient without having to make appointments and get to the salon. This is a big advantage for home hair removal as long as you remember to keep of top of things. Set up a regular routine so you always look good. Even so if you have a hot date and you have neglected things a bit, you can use some of these methods (such as shaving) at the last minute and save the day.

Here are the main home hair removal solutions to choose from.

Shaving This method is usually used for underarms and legs and is quick, easy and cheap but you will get a problem with stubbly regrowth which will mean dealing with your unwanted hair almost daily.
Waxing This is a great way to remove unwanted hair for weeks at a time. With a home hot wax kit you will get almost professional salon results if you are prepared to practice a bit until you get it right. If you want something quick you can get cold wax strips which come with a paper backing. You cut a strip the right size then just peel and stick. As you remove wax strips (whether hot or cold wax is used) it feels like pulling off a sticking plaster so you need the courage to do it quickly!
Epilators These little machines are the unsung heroes of the home hair removal world. I would not be parted from mine. They look like an electric shaver and you move the machine in the same way over your skin but a moving tweezer like action or rotary disks pull the hair out from the roots. Painful? a bit though modern machines have inbuilt pain relief mechanisms and you become accustomed to it over time. The action has a lasting effect like waxing leaving you looking smooth for a few weeks at a time. I have also found a reduction in hair growth over several years.
Depilatory Creams Depilatory creams are a bit messy and despite attempts at disguise still a bit smelly because of the hair dissolving chemicals used. But they are effective at leaving your skin smooth and hair free with no nicks or razor bumps and the smoothness lasts a little longer than shaving as the hair is dissolved a little way below the surface.
Laser Hair Removal Until recently a no-no for dealing with hair yourself but now finally possible due to home laser hair removal machines. Still only for those with deep pockets but worth thinking about.
Electrolysis Another method where you probably get better and quicker results from a professional but a home hair removal machine like a One Touch does make it possible to treat yourself provided you are in the right frame of mind to build in skill and spend the time. These machines are actually low cost but you do have to be careful and go easy so that you don’t damage your skin.

 
 
You may need to persevere a bit to find the methods of home hair removal that are right for you. I have certainly tried most things in my time. You might try using one method for under your arms, one for legs and another for your face. If you’re a guy, home hair removal might mean leaving your legs well alone but waxing your chest and getting a friend to help with your back. And then if the first way is not for you try something else. Getting a satisfactory method of home hair removal is all about experimentation.

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Facial Hair Remover

Written by on July 17, 2009 · Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for the perfect facial hair remover you may have been looking a long time. There are none of them perfect. I have seen a lot of unwanted facial hair removal products, both permanent and temporary, in my time reviewing products here, however for some reason I have not come across the REM spring facial hair remover until today and judging by the customer reviews I may have been missing a trick.

Traditional Facial Hair Removal Methods

If you have unwanted facial hair you’re not alone – this problem affects more than 15% of women. It’s pretty distressing but there as more ways to get rid of hair on your face than you can shake a stick at so it’s certainly not an insurmountable problem – there’s no need to get depressed about it. You can do something about it!

Of course all methods of facial hair removal have their disadvantages (doesn’t everything) but just in case you haven’t tried them all and despaired of finding the right method for you I’ll just run through all the traditional remedies for getting rid of facial hair before taking a closer look at the new REM product.

REM Spring Facial Hair Remover

REM Spring Facial Hair Remover - a new and better method of removing unwanted facial hair?

Shaving – For men only unless you want to start developing a five o’clock shadow. Ladies, do not shave your facial hair ever again. There are plenty of better ways to deal with female facial hair.

Depilatory creams and lotions – You can buy special facial hair removal creams which you may want to use on the sensitive skin here instead of your regular depilatory cream. These are easy to use, fast and work like a charm. Only disadvantage is that the hair is “dissolved” just below the skin surface and so you’ll see regrowth within a few days at which point you have to repeat the treatment.

Plucking with tweezers – Tweezing is great for the odd stray hair (and it’s a great method for eyebrows) but difficult (and painful) for a whole mustache or sideburns type problem. It will take you forever but it can be done if you don’t like the other options. Can be difficult to see and get hold of every hair and repeated attempts on each hair mean that the area can get very red and sore. However hairs are pulled from the the root which means regrowth is slower than other temporary methods like hair removal creams.

Bleaching – Bleaching facial hair does not involve removing the hair so it is pain free. You can buy special cream bleach for the face and disguise dark hair by lightening it. Works for many but you may find you end up with a blond mustache which is only slightly less obvious than your dark one depending on the thickness of your hair.

Threading – Facial hair threading is a method which involves trapping hair between two twisted strands of thread and pulling it out. It is now performed on facial hair in a lot of salons (or you can do this yourself if you have the know-how). It’s very fast when carried out by a skilled technician and leaves your face hair free for a few weeks but you do need to set aside money and time for regular salon visits.A bit painful as hairs are pulled out from the root but for some reason seems to be less painful than waxing, probably because fewer hairs are pulled out in one go.

Waxing – Facial waxing is similar to threading however this can be carried out in the salon or at home. At home, consider cold wax strips which are simple to apply. Unfortunately they are still painful to remove (though bearable).

Laser hair removal for the face – Hair can be zapped in one session however you will need repeat visits and if you are looking for permanent facial hair removal this is not perfect as you may be left with some hair which is not permanently removed and grows back. The main disadvantage of this method is the expense as the cost of laser hair removal is high. You will also feel a bit of pain as hair follicles are being destroyed but a topical anesthetic soothing gel may be applied to reduce this.

Electrolysis – This method results in permanent removal of the hair and is the best facial hair removal method for everyone who can afford it and has time for regular appointments. Each hair is treated individually with the insertion of a fine needle at the hair root through which an electric current is passed to kill the hair. As this method relies on precision in terms of where the current is applied and in treating the hair at the right stage in its growth cycle each hair may need to be removed several times. But after a few months to a year you will be permanently free of your facial hair problems.

REM facial hair remover

REM facial hair remover CLICK IMAGE for details

REM Spring Facial Hair Remover – Now if you have worked through these unwanted facial hair removal methods and are not quite happy with any of them for one reason or another you might want to take a look at the REM facial hair remover which seems to be a good choice among the many facial hair removers on the market.

It is like length of spring that you move over your hair removing one or two hairs at a time in fast succession. I guess it’s a bit like threading in that respect which many women swear by but with this device you can take care of facial hair removal in your own home.

You get used to the operation of the device and the sensation quite quickly it seems. (Tip : If you are nervous about trying out a product on your face, practice on your legs first and get the hang of it there!)

I am generally skeptical of products like this as a rule (and with good reason as the scammers are all over the place when it comes to our most distressing problems) but the genuine reviews of buyers of this product are making me think otherwise. It is all the more believable as you see the negative as well as the positive so that you know exactly what you are getting with this unwanted hair remover.

More Info and Reviews of the REM Spring Facial Hair Remover

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Wax Warmer

Written by on August 25, 2009 · Leave a Comment

A wax warmer is probably not something you hankered after all your life. For a large part you probably never even knew they existed but if you have decided that waxing is the hair removal method for you then it’s a great idea to buy one.

It’s a great alternative to using cold wax strips or microwave wax if you decide to try waxing at home. Warm wax is more effective than cold and a wax warmer will allow you can carry out hot wax hair removal treatments like the professionals.

It heats the wax to a constant temperature (hot enough to adhere well to the skin and open up the hair follicles a bit but not so hot that you burn yourself). This is quite tricky with microwave wax. It also means you can heat the product in the room where you want to carry out the waxing treatment (which is presumably not in the kitchen where your microwave is).

Gigi wax Warmer

wax warmer by GiGi

There are many different brands of wax warmers. Most hair removal brands and many small electrical personal grooming brands have them.

The most popular machine is the GiGi wax warmer which is the brand favored by professional beauticians (and the brand I have myself) but there are many more – some of them with systems where you roll on the wax for easier application. Take a look at the hair removal wax warmer range here for an idea of the different types of wax warmer you can buy and discounted prices on all brands.

After you have tried heating wax in a proper wax warmer for the first time after battling with wax in a pan or microwave before, you will wonder why you waited so long to buy yourself one of these little machines. It makes the whole job so much easier and less messy.

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Choosing a Numbing Cream for Waxing

Written by on June 27, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Waxing provides great results as far as hair removal goes, but it’s one of the more painful methods. If you’ve ever received a professional wax or waxed yourself at home, you know how much it can hurt. Areas with thicker skin like the legs and arms aren’t so bad, but when you move on to the more sensitive spots it can be almost unbearable.

Most women find the face, bikini area and underarms to be the most painful areas to wax. For first-time waxing clients, it’s even worse. Eventually your body becomes used to the process but it still hurts!

Dr Numb numbing cream for waxing

Dr Numb numbing cream for waxing CLICK IMAGE for details and discounts

If you’re searching for a way to lessen the pain of waxing, whether to relieve some of the fear and anxiety about getting professionally waxed or waxing yourself, or to reduce the pain you know you are going to feel, you’ll be pleased to know there are numbing creams available as one option you can use to take care of the pain.

Deciding on a particular numbing cream for waxing is not so simple however because the reviews are very mixed with the whole range of ratings from 1 to 5 stars on most of the creams. This may be due to personal differences in both expectations and in levels of sensitivity to pain, but there are some (such as Dr Numb Topical Numbing Anaesthetic Cream) which are a bit more expensive and seem to be more effective for more users. (Click the image on the right to see latest discounts)

No cream is going to get rid of the pain entirely. It’s not going to be like the effect of getting a shot at the dentist for a filling, unfortunately. Anesthetic creams can only reduce the pain somewhat, but an 80% reduction claimed by some buyers for some creams is pretty good. Anything which dulls that pain has to be a good thing, right?

Numbing creams are applied directly to the skin a short time before waxing. Most make use of an active ingredient called lidocaine. This is a common local anesthetic that numbs the area it’s applied to. Similar numbing creams are used to reduce the pain of tattoos, Botox, and other uncomfortable procedures on the skin. The onset is quick: most numbing creams only take around 15 minutes to start working. Some take a little longer at around half an hour or 45 minutes. Others claim to work within 3 to 4 minutes!

When it comes choosing a numbing cream, because of the variable results and prices, you may have to try a few to find out which works best for you. Consider your budget and how much time you have between the application of the cream and the actual waxing. If the wait at your salon is short, you probably don’t want to use a cream that takes 45 minutes to set in. Conversely, it would be a problem if the cream wore off before the waxing took place. It’s a good idea to test the cream before the day of waxing in case you have an allergic reaction to it.

Numbing products also come in gels and sprays. They’re available at most salons as well as stores that sell a lot of cosmetic products. Most are inexpensive, so there’s little to lose when trying out new numbing creams for waxing. When you find something that works, you’ll love the relief it brings.

Probably the best solution is to read the reviews on all the products HERE and then make up your own mind after trying a couple of options on different areas where you want to reduce the pain of waxing.

Categories: Waxing - Tags: , , ,