Hair Removal Tips
As
a model you are often required to do close-ups, not just of your face but of
your legs and arms too. So even a little fuzz is an absolute no-no. Hair
removal is one of the regular chores that every model faces, along with
their skin and nail care.
Hair removal can be broadly split into two different categories - those treatments you can do at home and those that require professional help. Many people use both, for example waxing their arms themselves but using an aesthetician to fix their bikini line. Treatments can also range from modern, like laser hair removal, to traditional, like threading.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser
hair removal is actually still a relatively young procedure, so the data are
limited as to how long the removal lasts. But many people have reported
wonderful results. As a guide, expect the removal to last at least a few months.
Beyond that, it really depends on your body, what type of hair you have and
other factors. Repeat visits may be necessary.
Although many different types of lasers and cooling systems are used now, the basic principle of laser hair removal remains the same. The laser emits a soft beam of light that goes through your skin and reaches the hair follicle. This beam quickly heats up and disables the follicle. The patient may feel some pain as this heat is transferred, but most laser hair removal teams use a cooling device to increase patient comfort during the procedure.
One thing to consider is that blonde or redhead individuals tend to have less success than dark-haired people. Laser hair removal can be very effective but its also more expensive than home techniques like waxing - about $200 for your legs for example. However, factor in the benefit of only having to do it twice a year and it starts to look very appealing!
Waxing
The
technique that we all know and love (or maybe not!). Waxing has been used for
centuries and is just as effective today as it has always been.
Pretty much everyone is familiar with waxing already, but there are a couple of pointers that are very important to remember. When pulling the strip of cloth away, make sure to pull against the direction of hair growth. This makes it easier and less painful to pull out the hair.
When pulling off the strip, be sure to pull parallel to the skin, rather than away from it. Again, this will make the process much less unpleasant. When you are done with the waxing, a small amount of olive oil will remove the excess wax as well as anything.
Waxing is very easy to do at home and is a good solution in that it reduces regrowth. Many people find that the hair grows back thinner and lighter in color. Compared to laser hair removal though, it has to be a much more frequent practice.
Threading
A popular method in Egypt and originating in Turkey, threading involves pulling out stray hairs using twists of cotton thread. It can be hard to find a practitioner sometimes outside of the large cities, but it is less painful that plucking and continues to be a popular treatment for many young European and Middle Eastern women.
The 'threader' creates a loop by holding the thread between her left hand, her right hand and her teeth. She then uses the loop to capture the stray hairs and pluck them out. It is inexpensive, fast and neat, but can sometimes lead to some temporary reddening of the skin.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is really the only alternative to laser hair removal when it comes to permanent solutions. It has actually been around for much longer, having been used safely for over 100 years, but requires considerable skill (and money) to do properly.
The electrolysis procedure involved poking a tiny electrode into each individul hair follicle, one at a time. A small electric shock is then delivered, which immediately kills the follicle. The skill comes in applying the needle correctly, which is why you should use only certified professionals.