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Health & Fitness

HEALTHY GIRL - Shaving, Waxing, or Laser Hair Removal?

Our society is obsessed with hair, or better yet, becoming hairless, in any manner possible.

The things we do to maintain an ideal vision of aesthetic perfection may have members of other cultures questioning what it is all for.  Our society is obsessed with hair, or better yet, becoming hairless, in any manner possible. When I was young I could not wait for my first under arm hair to come in so I could shave it off. Now, I have spent nearly $700 having it permanently removed so I never have to shave my underarms again.

There are people who will drive 30 minutes for an appointment with a popular aesthetician in Sherman Oaks, costing somewhere around $60 before gratuity.  The “brazilian,” “playboy,” and other interestingly-named bikini waxes leave the ladies as their prepubescent selves.  Some say they do it for themselves; others, for their mates. Whatever the reason, many, both females and males, have a desire to be hairless at great lengths and costs.  Whatever you decide to do, stick with that decision; switching from shaving to waxing is a recipe for unnecessary pain.  Also, it is okay for you to ask the aesthetician that disposable sticks be used for every application.  It would be even more ideal to go to a place where resin wax is used, made from a seaweed extract, resulting in a gooey consistency that works as both an adhesive and a remover.  The white root of the hair will also be extracted which will help prevent ingrown hairs, and you should have less of a mess and less pain with this product.

For those who opt for the shaving route, a registered nurse at a university recommends using two razors – one for your body, and one for your private parts.  This has something to do with the transfer of bacteria. While a pack of disposable razors is significantly cheaper than a waxing treatment, one may have to manage the ingrown hair syndrome (http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-an-Ingrown-Hair) that often results.   This may lead to the purchase of products like PFV or Tend Skin, in addition to an exfoliating glove and tweezers, a combination of which somehow helps the softened hair grow through the skin instead of up against it then back down.  This becomes a cost-benefit analysis for you, the consumer.

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If your desire is to never have to manage the forest again, laser hair removal is another option. With this treatment, various grades of removal exist.  Complete hair removal includes the backside too and the number of appointments varies but generally seven monthly visits should satisfy your need.  Of course, you can opt for minimal hair removal and the number of visits may be fewer.  For a more effective, less painful appointment, it may be beneficial to schedule when you are not suntan or sunburn and during a week, ladies, that is not near the date of your menstrual period.

Or you can let it be, perhaps, as nature intended.  Ideals of beauty are subjective.  When you grow up in a society that markets hairlessness as the way to be, you may not think to question it.  For those of you who have questioned the status quo, leaving well enough alone, you have saved yourself $60 dollars a month, which equates to $720 a year.  It comes down to a personal decision, after an examination of why you do what you do, and a review of your bank account.

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Whatever you choose, may your decisions be informed and may you shine from the inside out.

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