Since about 3000 B.C. , we’ve been coming up with ways to remove hair that’s considered unsightly, so this whole rigmarole has been going on for a quite a while now. If you’re still in the game, you might sometimes wonder if your go-to hair removal tactics are really effective, or if they’re even making things worse, heaven forbid.
Whether you’re curious about shaving, waxing or other methods, HuffPost talked to experts to bust some myths and get some good advice. Here goes:
1. Shaving makes hair grow back darker and thicker
Not true. And, if you think about it, that makes sense. “If this were true, we would be shaving the heads of every balding man to bring back his locks,” said Joie Tavernise , esthetician and brand founder of JTAV Clinical Skincare .
According to dermatologist Michael Jacobs, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine, it’s a myth that needs to be busted. “When you’re shaving, you’re just trimming the hair, so it doesn’t affect the root of the hair. Thickness and darkness are caused by your own genetics.”
Dermatologist Rebecca Marcus agreed: “Shaving cuts the hair shaft at the surface of the skin and has no effect on the hair follicle, where the hair is produced, and therefore can’t have an effect on the quality of the hair. The hair may temporarily appear thicker when it’s regrowing, because it’s short.”
2. Your hair grows back faster with shaving
This one is actually sort of true. If you wax your hair, you remove the entire follicle from the root, which takes a while to reach the surface of your skin once it starts growing back. With shaving, on the other hand, regrowth has a head start at the surface of your skin. “Results from shaving can last two to seven days, depending on the person,” Jacobs said. Marcus said: “Waxing should last between three and six weeks.”
3. Shaving creates ingrown hairs
This is a “yes, but” situation. According to Jacobs, there are ways to prevent ingrown hairs if you’re committed to shaving. “Using a chemical exfoliator on the skin before shaving can remove buildup and dead skin cells, which helps to prevent getting ingrown hairs,” he said. “Using an appropriate shaving cream or shave gel before and after shaving can also reduce negative effects, like itching, razor burn, redness and ingrown hairs.”
Five Weighted Safety Razors That Will Give You The Closest Shave Of Your Life
A rose gold safety razor made for sensitive skin(01 of05)
Open Image ModalAn affordable metal razor that provides a controlled shave(02 of05)
Open Image ModalGreen Estate's three-piece razor securely holds a double-edged blade between two sections of metal to provide a controlled shave. The handle is textured for a non-slip hold even when wet, and it comes with 10 replacement blades that are 100% recyclable. (credit:Amazon)
A double-edged safety razor with a short, heavy handle(03 of05)
Open Image ModalA highly-reviewed weighted razor with a stand(04 of05)
Open Image ModalThis rust-resistant safety razor by Zomchi has nearly 3,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. It features a textured handle to prevent slippage even when wet and comes with a matching chromed brass stand for convenient storage. The simple mechanical design is nicely balanced for a comfortable and secure hold and the razor comes with five platinum razor blade replacements. (credit:Amazon)
A handcrafted classic double edged safety razor(05 of05)
Open Image ModalMaapilim's rose gold metal razor combines elegance and functionality and is specifically designed to provide a close shave while preventing nicks, post shaving bumps and ingrown hairs. It comes with five double-edged replacement blades. (credit:Maapilim)
4. All body parts are created equal
Not true. You might switch up hair removal methods depending on the area you’re working with.
“Hair on the underarms and bikini area grows at a faster rate than the hair on your face, head, legs and arms,” Tavernise explained. “Knowing this, waxing your underarms and bikini area will be more beneficial for keeping this hair at bay, as waxing has a slower regrowth rate than shaving. Shaving is most beneficial on the legs and arms, and dermaplaning is best for the face.”
5. Waxing will reduce how much hair you have
This is a definite maybe.
“Over time, waxing can decrease the volume of hair, in comparison to shaving,” Jacobs said. “The hair starts to grow back less and the effects of the wax treatment last for longer periods of time.”
Marcus wasn’t 100% onboard with that assessment, offering an “it depends” view: “While waxing may reduce hair growth in some long-term waxers, this is not a given. The only way to permanently decrease hair growth is by laser or electrolysis,” she said.
6. Retinoids and waxing don’t mix
This is true. “If you’re on a retinoid, it’s important to stop using it five to seven days before waxing to avoid the risk of pulling off skin along with the wax,” Marcus said, explaining that topical retinoids can thin the outer layer of the skin and make it more sensitive to procedures like waxing. You can get a wax on any body part where you aren’t applying retinoids, though.
7. Waxing is better for sensitive areas
This one’s true. According to Jacobs, “waxing is best on sensitive areas like the bikini line and underarms because it’s more precise, reduces the chance of irritating the skin and is less likely to cause ingrown hairs” than shaving.
Everything You Need To Give Yourself A Professional-Style Wax At Home
A bottle of baby powder(01 of09)
Open Image ModalProfessional waxers use baby powder before waxing for a reason. Not only does it prevent the wax from sticking to your skin and reduce the pain, but it also dries up the area if you happen to be sweaty. Keep this handy bottle of Johnson's baby powder nearby and apply liberally on your skin before you apply wax. It's worth the mess. (credit:Amazon)
A wax warmer(02 of09)
Open Image ModalThere's a reason the GiGi wax warmer is so popular and highly rated. It perfectly regulates the temperature of the wax, melting it quickly and then maintaining the correct temperature for as long as you are using it. The simple settings make it easy to control so you never have to worry about burning yourself. (credit:Amazon)
Professional-grade hard wax(03 of09)
Open Image ModalAfter some trial and error, I landed on using Cirepil Blue's hard wax. It is the best at snagging those baby-fine hairs that are easy to miss, plus it's made of high-quality ingredients, doesn't irritate the skin and is easy to work with. The refillable bags make it a breeze to stock up when you run out.
Always make sure you test the temperature of the wax before you apply a large amount to a sensitive area. Once you are ready and powdered, hold the skin taut as you apply the wax going against the direction of hair growth. Let it stiffen until it becomes tacky, then use your fingers to pull the wax in the direction of the grain. I find that a quick exhale at the exact moment of the pull helps to mitigate potential discomfort. (credit:Amazon)
A large bag of craft sticks(04 of09)
Open Image ModalSix-inch craft sticks, like these from Pandaspa, are perfect for applying wax. It helps you cover a large-ish surface area and makes it easier to wield the hot wax. Stock up, because you're going to be going through them quickly. (credit:Amazon)
A thick yoga mat(05 of09)
Open Image ModalYou're going to be spending a lot of time sitting square on your bum, especially in the beginning. I found that having a spare Amazon Basics yoga mat to catch the baby powder and provide a gentle cushion makes a huge difference in my ability to get in all the positions I need to in order to get the job done. I have a designated waxing mat exclusively for this activity, but you can always use one you already have and put down a towel or even paper towels to help with clean-up. (credit:Amazon)
A full-length mirror(06 of09)
Open Image ModalYou likely already have one in your home, but I recommend picking up a mirror like this one from NeuType that you can prop up against the wall and move around as needed. Natural light is definitely preferable to artificial lamplight, so having the ability to move the mirror around as the light changes is a big bonus.
If you are only waxing your legs or the sides of your bikini line, you don't really need the mirror. However, if you are venturing into Brazilian or G-string-style wax territory, having a mirror is crucial. You need to be able to get into whatever positions necessary and have a clear view of what you are doing. Don't be afraid to get up close and personal. Think of it as an exercise in body acceptance. (credit:Amazon)
A fresh set of tweezers(07 of09)
Open Image ModalSometimes the wax might miss some of the finer, fuzzy hairs. They either just don't seem to stick to the wax, the angle is off or your skin is too sweaty. It happens! A sharp, angled Tweezerman tweezer can help clean up any leftovers and gently coax out stubborn ingrowns. I know you have a decades-old, dull tweezer at home. Do not use that one. You'll waste precious time trying to grasp those hard-to-reach hairs. (credit:Amazon)
A cult-fave skin solution(08 of09)
Open Image ModalSoothe your post-wax skin with Tend Skin. Its a popular toner that helps to prevent redness and ingrown hairs while soothing the affected area. Its been around forever and is the gold standard for waxing and shaving aftercare. It can be a bit tingly, but it works significantly better than aloe-based solutions that can clog pores and actually cause ingrown hairs. (credit:Amazon)
A box of sterilizing prep pads(09 of09)
Open Image ModalThe last thing anyone wants is to get an infection as a result of digging around for ingrown hairs. Make sure you wipe down your tweezers with these Clever Health alcohol prep pads before and after each session to keep things nice and clean. (credit:Amazon)
8. Curly hair is harder to remove safely
Yes, this one’s true. “Those with curly hair are more prone to develop folliculitis, a skin condition in which follicles become inflamed, than those with straight hair,” Marcus said.
Wondering why that is? According to the Mayo Clinic , curly hair grows from curved hair follicles, so it’s that curvy shape that’s more likely to encourage hair to reenter the skin when growing back. This tends to happen more when hair is shaved, since shaving creates a sharper hair edge, making it easier to pierce the skin.
9. Razor bumps are untreatable
Not so. “For those who are prone to razor bumps from ingrown hairs and/or folliculitis, I recommend using an exfoliating pad to help prevent ingrown hairs during the regrowth phase,” Marcus said. “Bump Attendant by Bliss is an effective product that contains several bump-fighting ingredients, including glycolic acid, salicylic acid, witch hazel and anti-inflammatory oat extract and niacinamide.”
Tavernise also recommended exfoliation: “The best way to prevent ingrown hairs is by thoroughly exfoliating the area beforehand to remove dead skin cells that lead to the hair getting trapped under the skin.”
10. How much body hair you have — and where — is part of your own personal style
Absolutely true. You do you, whether that means a hairless physique or one that’s totally furry.
“Some people dislike their body or facial hair and want to remove it, while others embrace it,” Tavernise said. “In my office, we serve those who wish to remove hair, but if someone comes in for a facial or body treatment and doesn’t wish to remove any hair, the treatments won’t be any less effective. When it comes to bodies, it’s important to respect and honor yours as well as others’.”
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