Preparing your skin for hair removal
Hair removal methods have improved greatly in recent years, although it still presents a skincare challenge because it entails aggression that can affect the skin and cause greater sensitivity or irritation.
What type of hair removal method to choose?
- Shaving: the hair is cut but the root is not removed. This is a fairly abrasive method because it removes part of the external skin surface.
- Electric razor: this extracts the hair from the root so the hair needs to be fully regenerated before it can grow again. That means your skin will be hair-free for longer. However, we do not recommend it if you have sensitive skin because it is painful and affects the entire horny layer of the skin.
- Depilatory creams: their function is designed to weaken the capillary base of the hair. They need time to act and partially absorb. This method is slower but is also effective.
- Waxing: this is probably one of the most popular methods because of its effectiveness, as the entire hair is removed and regrowth is weakened.
- There are different types of waxes you can use, depending on the application (strips or directly) and activation temperature (hot, warm or cold).
- Laser: this is the most effective, comfortable and safest method today. It is based on selective photothermolysis, which targets the melanin in the hair (the natural pigment), increasing the heat energy on the follicle and destroying it. However, it does require various sessions. It can also be an effective treatment for folliculitis or excessive hairiness (hirsutism).
- Types of laser hair removal: the most appropriate lasers have a wave length of between 700 and 1200 nm as this is the range that produces the greatest absorption of melanin and interferes least with other pigments like haemoglobin. The most commonly used are:
- Alexandrite laser (755 nm).
- Diode laser (800 nm).
- Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm).
- Medical-use intense pulsed light (590-1200 nm).
- Types of laser hair removal: the most appropriate lasers have a wave length of between 700 and 1200 nm as this is the range that produces the greatest absorption of melanin and interferes least with other pigments like haemoglobin. The most commonly used are:
Before hair removal... we recommend
Exfoliating and cleaning the skin prior to beginning any hair removal method. Skin with a build-up of dead or not properly washed cells can increase the risk of complications such as folliculitis, irritation or bacterial cellulitis (infection).
Plus, correct exfoliation makes hair removal more effective and less aggressive. Applying heat to the skin beforehand can reduce symptoms.
After hair removal... we recommend
After hair removal, we recommend you avoid products with alcohol because there will be microscopic cuts on the skin surface and applying alcohol could produce irritation or pain.
It's a good idea to apply cold presses to the most affected areas for their calming effect. The vasoconstriction they cause will also help reduce the negative effects of hair removal.
You can use moisturising emollients to help the skin begins its regeneration process earlier.
Final tips: hair removal and summer
We advise against using hair removal methods after sunbathing or if your skin is irritated for any other reason. As we said before, hair removal causes tissue aggression which can increase the side effects of exposure to the sun and thus have a greater impact on skincare: dryness, irritation or infection.
And take care if you have vascular problems, because varicose or spider veins can worsen depending on the hair removal method used.
