Shaving is the fastest and easiest way to get smooth legs, but for many people it's not a viable solution. If you have thick black hair, this method can leave visible spots on the follicles and is certainly not pleasant! Also, if the technique is not done correctly, shaving promotes rapid hair regrowth and can cause irritation, as well as ingrown hair. If you want to have smooth legs but are looking for alternatives to shaving, there are several techniques you can consider. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Wax and Sugar
Step 1. Get the materials
The technique for these two types of hair removal does not change, but different substances are spread on the skin. If you want to use wax, you can find a specific kit in supermarkets or pharmacies. The sugar-based kit is not easy to find on the market, but you can get it online or make it yourself at home.
- The waxing kit includes wax, depilatory strips and a stick to distribute the product on the skin.
- The second solution involves a sugar paste, depilatory strips and a stick to distribute the substance all over the skin to be treated.
- If you make a sugar-based craft product yourself, get some muslin or denim fabric for the hair removal strips and a stick, like the one for the popsicles, that you will use to apply the product. Follow the instructions in this article to make the dough using sugar, salt, lemon, and water.
- You must also have a microwave oven available to heat the wax or dough to a higher temperature than room temperature.
Step 2. Prepare the skin for waxing or sugar paste
Although the hair removal product is not harmful to the skin when applied correctly, you may still experience some unwanted effects, such as redness or soreness, if you do not take the right precautions to protect your legs.
- Make sure the hair is long enough for hair removal; in theory, they should be between 3 and 6 mm long.
- Make sure you have no cuts, scrapes, irritation, or burns on your legs. If you pluck hair from already damaged skin, you only aggravate the situation.
- Wash your skin with soap and dry it thoroughly.
- Remove dead skin cells using a scrub, loofah or shower glove. Don't scrub too hard, as you don't have to irritate your skin right away!
- Soak your legs in hot water for 5-10 minutes.
- Moisturize your skin with an oil-free lotion, otherwise it may prevent the wax from adhering firmly to the hair.
Step 3. Heat the wax or sugar paste
The products available for free sale are in containers that are generally safe for use in the microwave; but if not, pour the product into a container that can go in the microwave or in the traditional one.
- Follow the instructions on the package to heat the product.
- When the wax is heated properly, it reaches a soft, honey-like consistency and is easy to spread.
- Properly heated sugar dough is soft and sticky.
- Be careful not to overdo it. When the dough or wax is very hot it can be terribly hot.
Step 4. Identify the direction of hair growth
This procedure involves removing all of the hair structure, otherwise painful ingrown hairs may develop. To avoid this, you need to pay attention to the direction in which they grow; usually, on the legs it goes from top to bottom.
- This means that during this phase you have to apply the wax with downward movements, while you have to pull the depilatory strips upwards.
- If you have chosen the sugar mixture, you need to apply the dough in an upward motion and pull the strips in the same direction.
Step 5. Using the applicator stick, spread a layer of warm product over the skin
Remember to move towards the ankle if using the wax, and upwards if it is the sugar paste.
- Do not apply too much product, otherwise it becomes viscous and does not stick firmly to the strips.
- The ideal is to create a layer about 6 mm thick.
Step 6. Apply the depilatory product to an area slightly smaller than the strip
Run your hand on the strip to make it adhere well to the product and "glue" it to the hair; act delicately, but firmly.
Step 7. Prepare to remove the strip
Grab the lower end of the fabric using your dominant hand (the right if you are right-handed, the left if you are left-handed); with the other hand, hold the skin taut by pulling it down near the lower end of the strip.
Reverse the direction (grabbing the top of the strip, pulling the skin up) in the areas where the hair grows in the opposite direction
Step 8. Tear off the strip to the top
Move quickly and decisively! If you are too slow, you cannot remove the product and the hair.
Step 9. Reheat the wax or sugar paste if needed
Especially in the beginning, the procedure can take a long time. With practice you will get faster, but on the first few attempts the depilatory product may get too cold to be effective; if you find that it becomes difficult to spread it, you need to reheat it in the oven or microwave until it reaches the ideal consistency once again.
Step 10. Take care of the shaved skin
Temporary redness or irritation is normal, but soothing the skin is recommended.
- Wash your legs again with mild soap, avoiding using water that is too hot.
- Apply a moisturizer to all treated skin.
- If the irritation is very bothersome, you can numb the skin by placing an ice pack on it.
Method 2 of 3: Hair Removal Cream
Step 1. Get the hair removal cream
You can find different brands in supermarkets or cosmetic stores. Among the most popular are Veet, Strep and Depilzero. There are various products based on the different types of body hair, so you don't have to use cream for the mustache or the bikini area on your legs!
Step 2. Prepare your legs
Get into the shower or tub, wash your skin with a mild soap, warm water, and then dry it well so it's ready for treatment.
Step 3. Take a skin sensitivity test
Depilatory creams act deeply in the hair follicles, so you shouldn't be surprised that they can damage the skin, especially if it is sensitive or if you leave the product on for too long.
- Spread the cream on a small area of skin using the applicator;
- Leave it on for the time indicated in the instructions on the package;
- Rinse to remove the product;
- Wait 24 hours to make sure there are no allergic reactions.
Step 4. If you do not notice any adverse effects, follow the instructions on the package and apply the product on both legs
Depending on the type of cream you have purchased, the method of use may be different, so be sure to read the directions carefully. It is important to respect the processing time precisely, because if you leave the cream for too long, you could cause painful burns and ugly scabs!
Do not try to get the product absorbed into the skin of the legs; it does not have to act as if it were a lotion, so leave only a surface layer of it
Step 5. Rinse your legs
Once the recommended shutter speed has elapsed, take a warm, damp cloth to remove the cream; be gentle, because the skin is very sensitive. You may choose to rinse your legs in the shower or tub to make sure you get rid of all the product.
Step 6. Apply a lotion
You can give your legs, now smooth and hairless, a bright and healthy look by spreading a good quality lotion or oil every day. You can use an aloe vera-based product if your skin is a bit sensitive at the end of the depilatory treatment.
Method 3 of 3: Undergo Professional Laser Hair Removal Treatment
Step 1. Determine if laser treatment is right for you
The procedure offers a wide range of different effects, but it generally works best on light-skinned and dark-haired people.
Step 2. Find a qualified center
There are many beauty centers and beauty professionals who claim to have the equipment and an effective technique for ultimate laser hair removal. In this field, unfortunately, the operators are not always reliable and honest, the best thing is therefore to contact a qualified dermatologist. Remember that you never have to sacrifice professionalism to get a lower price.
- Look for a qualified, licensed dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon who has experience or who specializes in laser hair removal.
- Avoid beauty salons or spas, as you may find staff without proper medical training and experience with this procedure.
Step 3. Make an appointment for a consultation
Go to the meeting properly prepared, bringing your complete medical history and the list of medications you are taking with you. During the meeting, the doctor will perform a test on a small area of skin to make sure that no adverse reactions occur. Usually, the most common are:
- Blisters
- Scabs;
- Scars.
Step 4. Prepare your legs for the six weeks prior to treatment
Although the procedure is not dangerous, laser hair removal is still a serious matter and you must take every possible precaution to make sure everything is going smoothly.
- Protect your legs from the sun; tan can cause light patches to form during the process, so you have to wait for it to dissolve.
- Leave the hair roots intact for at least six weeks before undergoing the treatment. You can shave your legs or use a hair removal cream, but avoid any procedures that involve tearing the roots, such as waxing or sugar paste.
Step 5. Shortly before surgery, shave your legs thoroughly
Although this detail is still somewhat debated, some studies suggest that a shave performed shortly before laser treatment results in better results and even reduces pain. Even if not all professionals agree and these conclusions are not true, it doesn't hurt to try!
Step 6. Undergo the treatment
It is quite painful, but you will be able to handle it. Tell your doctor if the discomfort becomes unmanageable; this way, she can take short breaks or apply a numbing ointment to help you resist.
Step 7. Manage immediate effects
It is completely normal to feel discomfort immediately after the session. To soothe the skin, apply an ice pack or spread an aloe vera-based cream specifically for sensitive skin. Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen to control the pain. the redness and irritation should subside within a few hours.
Advice
You can make a great body scrub by mixing sugar and olive oil
Warnings
- Leaving the hair removal cream on for longer than recommended can cause painful chemical burns and scabs.
- If you don't wait for your tan to wear off before undergoing laser hair removal, your skin may lighten temporarily after treatment.
- You should not apply wax to sunburned, irritated, cut or abraded skin until it has healed.
- Pregnant women and those on hormone therapy (including contraceptive therapy) may experience more pain when waxing.
