Mens Hair Removal

Archive for January, 2010

Male body waxing

Posted by: admin on January 17th, 2010

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Posted: male waxing

If you are thinking of male body waxing, you have two options to consider: doing it at home DIY style, or going to a clinic/spa to let a professional do it for you. I will try to highlight the issues and things to look out for to help you choose the best way to go about it.

First question is can you reach the area that you want to wax? Waxing your own back might be a problem for example unless you have a friend or partner willing to help you out.

Another question is how pain tolerant you are? This applies to general hair removal and waxing at home in particular because once you realize how painful that next rip is going to be, you might not want to continue. In such cases a professional hair removal technician might be a good idea.

And consider how you would look without hair? You might look cute like a teddy bear now, but after a wax, you might look like a hairless cat. Most people promoting male body waxing, will show you images of toned and sculpted hairless men, but that might not be what you look like. So think whether you will actually look better without hair as you might not be so well defined as the waxed models.

Body waxing at home

If you decide to do your male body waxing at home, you’ll need to prepare properly. There are two different waxes on the market – hard non-strip wax and soft strip wax. Use hard non-strip wax for sensitive areas like the genitals and armpits, and strip wax for areas like the chest, shoulders and back. You should also get some strips (if you go for the strip wax option), some (wooded) spatulas, and cleaning and soothing creams / gels for before and after treatment of your skin.

Once you have a suitable wax or waxes, you can start the other preparations. Make sure to set a lot of time aside for the waxing. Shower and clean properly before hand as well as it will give the wax better grip on the hair. If you are a bit sensitive, a painkiller an hour or so before you start will help alleviate some of the pain.

And make sure your hair are at least a ¼ to ½ inch long so there is something to hold onto for the wax. And do read the instructions on the home waxing kit as well so you can follow the proper instructions.

Once you’ve heated the wax, test the heat by dropping some on your wrist. If its at the right temperature, apply it with the spatula to the area you want to wax. Spread it on in the direction of the hair growth, let it set for a bit (check the wax instructions for how long) and then pull it off quickly in the direction opposite of the hair growth.

Work slowly and do small sections at a time as it really hurts if you have to do it over again.

Apply some anti-septics and soothing gel afterwards to prevent follicitus and reduce chances of ingrown hair.

Professional body waxing for men

The other option is to go to a male clinic or spa that offer waxing treatments for men. This is more suitable for those out of reach areas like the back, or the sensitive areas like the genitals. Phone before hand to check whether the option you want to do are available and that they have people who have done it before. Some clinics offer to do house calls for waxing, so if you are sensitive about it you might want to check if that is an option where you live.

Again, it is recommended to take a shower before going in for waxing. You might also consider popping a pain reliever for the pain.

At the salon, they should ask for a consultation or ask you to fill out a form. This is to check whether you have any medical conditions that you are aware of and whether waxing is suitable for you. It is also a good time to ask any questions you have or raise any of your concerns.

Once the waxing has started, just grit your teeth and bear it – it should be over soon. That being said, it is YOUR body, so if you feel uncomfortable or something doesn’t feel right, let them know and ask them to stop.

If you are waxing your pubic area, you might also be asked to assist be stretching the skin taut to make the waxing more effective.

After treatment, they’ll rub in some ointments and should also provide you with after care information.

The after treatment care should be the same, whether you are doing it at home or at a clinic. Stay out of the sun and sun-beds, and anything that can contain germs or bacteria (saunas or sex), for at least 24 hours. Applying some Aloe Vera gel (or any Vitamin E lotion) should also help with redness and soothing the skin irritation. After a couple of days, start using exfoliation cream to remove dead skin cells and reduce the chance of ingrown hairs.

For more information on male body waxing

The Advantages of Waxing, For Men | Beauty Salons & Day Spas … – Related Articles. Savvy Consumers do their research. Male Body Waxing And Hair Removal · Laser Hair Removal: Everything You Always Wanted to Know but Were Afraid to Ask · A Medical Spa Is a Medical Spa, or Is it? …

Your male body-waxing story of the week – warren’s got a fine story on yet another man talked into body waxing and discovering why most sensible women just shave to the knee and keep the hedges trimmed but not defoliated: endorphine-rush worthy levels of pain. …

Male body waxing and hair removal – Do you remember the innocent times when body waxing was strictly for women and male strippers? Well, those days are over as men from all across the world are raising the cosmetic bar, removing body hair (which was once considered attractive a la Burt Reynolds) one rip at a time.

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Eyebrow waxing

Posted by: admin on January 16th, 2010

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Posted: male waxing, mens hair removal

Eyebrow waxing for men usually go hand in hand with eyebrow styling. At other times it is done to remove a uni- or monobrow. Because of the symmetry issues when working with eyebrows it is recommended that you get someone else to help you with this: either a partner or a professional.

Source: Flickr – Pasukaru76

You’ll need to use hot non-strip wax which are more suitable for use on sensitive skin (it is still going to hurt, but less than with strip wax). Clean the area that you want to wax with water and some alcohol to remove the oil from hair so that the wax can adhere to it. You might want to use some marker to show how the eyebrow will be styled and for guidance to which spots to wax.

Heat the wax as appropriate and test it by dropping some on your wrist. If ready, apply the wax with a spatula to the area you want to wax with the direction of hair growth. Let it cool some and adhere to the hair, then pull it off quickly in the opposite direction of the hair growth.

Repeat this procedure for all the little areas where you want the hair removed/shaped. IF you missed some stray hairs, it might be better to pluck it than to reapply the wax as the skin is already very sensitive.

When you’re done, clean up the remaining wax, and apply a soothing lotion to the area affected. Stay out of the sun and away from sun-beds for at least 24 hours to give your skin some time to recover.

The cost of eyebrow waxing and shaping is in the region of $10 – $20.

More about eyebrow waxing

Eyebrow Waxing | Vogue Forum Blog – Eyebrow Waxing By Joanne Elliott Unless you have very sensitive skin, waxing is a quick and relatively easy alternative to plucking your eyebrows.

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Facial wax

Posted by: admin on January 15th, 2010

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Posted: male waxing

hair removal wax
Source: Flickr – Digipam

A male facial wax might be for you if you are tired of shaving everyday. Because the area is very sensitive and it is easy to scar if done incorrectly, you should get a professional to advise and assist you.

Unfortunately not a lot of clinicians like to apply male facial waxing to the beard or chin area as it is a lot different than women’s and harder to remove. The hair growth is coarser and thicker and the skin is very sensitive. Who wants to get sued for scarring a patient? But call your local spa or hair removal clinic and inquire as to what their policy is and if they do offer a male facial hair waxing service.

If you do find someone willing to help you with this, make sure that they know what they are doing and that they have done this before (you don’t want to be the first guinea pig). Also ensure that they use Brazilian hot wax rather than strip or cold wax as it is better for sensitive skin.

The wax needs to be applied in the direction of hair growth. After letting it cool down and set to the hairs, lift the end and pull it off in the direction opposite the hair growth.

Nose or ear hair is also a problem for some men and waxing can take care of it. But do not do this at home as it is very easy to hurt yourself (or inhale the wax or stick it too deep in your ear or nose). Let a professional do it – it is one of the cheaper waxes on offer and is fairly quick and easy – around $5 – $10.

You might also be considering male facial waxing for the eyebrows. This is a lot more common and most male hair removal clinics should be willing to do it for you. Eyebrow shaping is sometimes included in the price, but you can check this with your clinic.

Because waxing needs a certain length of hair (¼ to ½ inch of hair) for the wax to adhere to, if you are waxing, you won’t always be smooth especially closer to your next waxing session.

Waxing the face or beard area is something only men with high pain thresholds should do. It might also look bad for a couple of days afterwards, so don’t book it for the morning of the wedding. Continued waxing over long periods of time can result is looser skin and earlier onset of wrinkles, so make sure this is what you want to do. However, not having to shave every day and the increased softness of hair might be a satisfactory trade-off.

Links for further male facial waxing reading:

Goodbye Tweezers, Hello Facial Waxing | Beauty Salons & Day Spas … – If you go for a facial wax with any of these conditions there is a good chance you may break out and the area will get very irritated. Another consideration would be individuals who have allergic reactions. Before getting a facial wax, …

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Male pubic hair removal

Posted by: admin on January 11th, 2010

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Posted: genital hair removal, mens hair removal

Why you are considering male pubic hair removal can be for various reasons. Some men came to be at this point because a partner asked them to think about it, others because they feel it will look better. Whatever your reason, we are here to provide advice on the how to go about it.

Before you start, decide how much hair you want to remove. Must all the hair come off (Brazilian)? Do you want a ‘mustache’ (just a small patch of hair above the penis)? Once you’ve decided, its time to think how you want the rest of your genital hair removal to be done.

Trimming the pubic area

Even if you want a more permanent / closer shave, it is recommended to start with a general trim just to remove the clutter. You can do this with any trimmer available from a chemist or pharmacy and you might even find that the trimmed down look will work for you.

With a specified comb length, you can trim your pubic hair to a respectable length. If you want to remove more hair, try trimming without a comb. Just take care as you can still hurt yourself over uneven skin areas. To prevent this, make sure to stretch the skin taut before trimming.

Shaving

Before you start, try trimming your hair with a trimmer or a pair of scissors without a sharp point. Just be careful – a hand held mirror, or a small mirror on a pivot stand would be useful to make sure you minimize cuts and nicks.

Start with a fresh blade especially if you are removing lots of hair. Moisturize the area that you want to shave, apply your shaving gel (preferable clear so you can see where you are shaving), and proceed to shave with small strokes. Remember to stretch the skin taut when shaving uneven areas. And shave with the growth of the hair to minimize the risk of ingrown hair.

Pubic hair removal creams

Don’t. Most depilatory hair removal creams are NOT suitable to use for genital hair removal or other sensitive areas.

Waxing pubic hair removal

This is something that you can try at home, but having a professional do it a spa or clinic, will ensure a smoother process and result. And they have done it hundreds of times so they know what they are doing and can see what they are doing.

To do waxing genital hair removal, the hair needs to be at least a quarter of an inch to half an inch long so the wax has something to cling to. Stretch the skin, apply the wax, apply the cotton strip, and rip against the direction of the hair growth (that is one reason it is recommended that you let a professional do this as any man who willingly does this to himself is more brave/stupid than the average man).

Men who are very sensitive might consider taking some painkillers before doing this to numb the pain a bit. Doing it at a spa has the added benefit of a knowledgeable person who can advise you or answer any questions you might have.

Laser genital hair removal

There are home laser hair removal kits on the market, but again, it would be better to have a professional do this as doing it wrong can make things a lot worse for yourself (try walking into an A & E and explain the burn marks on you crotch). The lazer treatments might not be suitable for everyone as the lazer work by targeting the darker pigment against a light skin background. The effect of lazer hair removal is said to be of a small rubber band snapping against the skin, and afterwards a small sunburn effect.

Electrolysis pubic hair removal

Electrolysis hair removal works somewhat similar to lazer hair removal in that the follicle is targeted, but where lazer uses pulsed light, electrolysis inserts a small needle down to the follicle and applies an electric charge. It is only a mild effect, but because it targets one follicle at a time it can be quite time consuming.  Seek out the hair removal technician at your local clinic or spa and get more relevant information and price for electrolysis hair removal treatment.

The effects of both lazer pubic hair removal and electrolysis pubic hair removal can be permanent so make sure that this is what you want before you commit.

Is male pubic hair removal for you?

If you are considering male pubic hair removal for a partner, read this cautionary tale and make sure you’ve consulted your partner about your intended course of action. There are pros (healthy, looks bigger, looks better) and cons (not necessary, risks of the method used) to genital hair removal. In the end, it boils down to personal choice and only you can make that choice for yourself.

More reading on genital hair removal
Pubic Hair Removal – Hair Removal is affiliated with Laser Hair Removal Costs. Related posts: Pubic Shaving For Men – The 3 Pubic Hair Removal Solutions Men Should Avoid; Pubic Hair Removal – Tips When Shaving; Male Pubic Hair Removal – The Best Techniques.

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Mens hair removal creams

Posted by: admin on January 6th, 2010

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Posted: hair removal creams, mens hair removal

There are several mens hair removal creams available on the market: Nair for Men, Veet, Revitol, Andre for Men, Nads for Men, to name a few. But you might be more concerned with whether or not hair removal creams are safe to use and whether you can use it for removing hair from that part of your body.

Men’s hair removal creams are also called depilatory creams which contains sodium and calcium thyiogylcolate (the perming chemical) which work to dissolve the protein keratin in the hair shaft. And this works to just below the level of the skin so it lasts longer than shaving but shorter than waxing.

What are attractive about these hair removal creams are that it is inexpensive, widely available from chemists or pharmacies, almost painless, and lasts longer than shaving. The cons are that it can’t be used everywhere on the body (not a total hair removal solution), can cause irritations and redness, and it has a strong odor when applied.

When not to use mens hair removal creams

If you have sensitive skin or are prone to skin pigmentation then you shouldn’t use these depilatory creams. You should also stay away from applying creams to areas with skin cuts or -breaks. Similarly, if you want to remove body hair from sensitive skin areas are also not recommended as the creams have a strong alkaline base which can cause damage and burns.

On which areas can you apply hair removal creams:
• Chest,
• Back,
• Arms,
• Legs.

On which areas should you NOT apply hair removal creams:
• Face,
• Nipples,
• Armpits,
• Genitals,
• Perineum,
• Around the anus.

The process when using hair removal creams
1. Preparation. Read the instructions carefully. Some creams you can leave on the skin longer than others, but you definitely don’t want the cream to overstay its welcome on your skin. Clean the skin to ensure the cream can make proper contact with the hairs and can access the follicle (removing excess oils). Test the product on a small patch first. This will quickly show you whether you are allergic or if this hair removal process agrees with your skin.
2. Apply. Follow the instructions provided with the product and don’t leave it on longer than recommended.
3. Soothe. Having a chemical reaction taking place on your skin, might cause some redness and/or irritation, so its a good idea to soothe the tender skin with a balm or aloe-vera type natural cream. Apply this for a day or two till the initial irritation fades.
4. Exfoliate. Exfoliate the skin with an exfoliating gel to remove dead skin cells and clear away any bacterial infections in the hair follicle which might give rise to ingrown hairs or follicitus (small pimples).

A lot of men are starting to use depilatory creams to remove unwanted body hair and it might also be a simple solution for you. Follow the instructions and make sure to take care of your skin after treatment. If you do, mens hair removal creams might just save you a lot of time and make you more confident.

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Nair hair removal

Posted by: admin on January 3rd, 2010

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Posted: hair removal creams, mens hair removal, nair hair removal

Nair hair removalNair hair removal cream for men is a depilatory alkaline solution that dissolves the chemical protein bond in hair. It will dissolve the hair to just below the level of the skin and the hair should grow back in 2 to 3 weeks without being thinner.

Make sure you read the instructions carefully and thoroughly as you definitely don’t want to do it wrong. Because of the strong alkalinity, it is not recommended for use on your sensitive skin areas like the genitals or nipples as it will cause a strong burning sensation. In the same vein, you also need to make sure you don’t leave the hair removal cream on your skin too long as it will start to irritate your skin as well.

Nair hair removal for men comes in three options. Nair hair remover spray which is a spray on and takes about 4 minutes. Nair hair removal speed cream which takes only three minutes. And Nair hair removal body cream which takes 8 minutes but are more sensitive to your skin. A bottle of Nair hair removal will allow 2 to 4 uses depending on the area being covered.

While it smells good initially, once the chemical reaction starts, you’ll notice a strong odor which are the dissolving hair. Leave the hair removal cream on for the amount of time indicated on the bottle and afterwards wipe with a wet cloth to remove the cream and the hair. You should also wait a day or two before exposing the skin to direct sunlight as it might be a bit sensitive.

To avoid ingrown hairs, use some exfoliating skin wash on the area (after the sensitive skin waiting period is over). It might also be a good idea to test the product first on an easy area like the arms to ensure that it is agreeable to your skin type and it will give you a feel for how to use the product.

Nair hair removal for men can be an easy solution for your hair removal needs, but as mentioned already, it is not suitable for the sensitive spots like genital hair removal. You can get a 3-pack of Nair hair removal for men directly from Amazon.

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Lazer hair removal for men

Posted by: admin on January 1st, 2010

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Posted: lazer hair removal, mens hair removal

lazer hair removalSo you’ve heard about lazer hair removal and are wondering if it is an option for you. Before you decide, you need to know what it does and whether you fit the profile of a suitable candidate.

Who can consider lazer hair removal?

People with dark hair and light skin tones. This is a requirement because the lazer hair removal works when the lazer targets the dark pigment in the hair follicle with its beam. While some improvements and developments are being made with different skin tone/hair color combinations, the majority of currently available treatments only work with said combination.

If you are pain intolerant (it only involves mild pain like pinch) or have an existing medical condition you should definitely consult a physician who knows more about lazer hair removal.

How long will lazer hair removal take?

A session will depend on the area being treated with large areas like the back taking up to an hour. Several lazer treatment sessions will be required as different hairs have different stages of growth. The hair will actually only fall out 1 to 2 weeks after treatment so dont expect to be hair free the moment you walk out of the clinic.

Is lazer hair removal permanent?

It can be. It varies from person to person with an indicated hair removal rate between 40% and 80%. So while it does remove hairs permanently, not all hair will be removed. It does help to make the hair thinner and less noticeable and reduce the need for shaving and/or other hair removal.

Lazer hair removal costs

The big problem that most men have about lazer hair removal is the cost. A single lazering session can cost anywhere from $200 to $800, and you’ll have to do a series to have the proper hair removal effect. It is a medical treatment described as a cosmetic procedure, so you might check if it is covered under your insurance.

An option that is becoming available is home lazer hair removal. If you are too sensitive to approach a clinic/spa to help you with this, it might be an option for you. But please consider it carefully as it can generate a lot of problems for you if not applied correctly. (Check these home lazer hair removal kits sold on the Amazon marketplace and the reviews there of).

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