How Long Do The Effects Of An Epilator Last?
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When choosing a hair removal method, how long the hair stays away is often one of the main considerations. Some methods are very temporary such as using a depilatory cream or shaving.
Other methods such as plucking, waxing or using an epilator can last for a couple of weeks because the hair is removed from the root. If you want to remove hair permanently, you will need to have electrolysis. Here are some more details about why certain methods will keep excess hair growth in check longer than others.
Depilatory Cream
These creams use alkaline solutions which break down the protein bonds of the hair and soften it. When the product is wiped off, the hair comes off with it. This means that the hair is not pulled out by the root and remains just beneath the skin.
If you have dark, thick hair you will probably be able to see the shadow of the hair under the skin. This hair will rise above the skin surface on the day or two after using the cream, depending on its texture and color. The results are similar to that offered by shaving and you will only have a hair-free day or two when using this method.
Shaving
Using a razor only removes the hair at skin level without removing the root. The razor’s sharpness, quality, and the shaving products used all influence how close to the skin you can shave. Again, you might be able to see a shadow under the skin if your hair is dark and thick.
If your hair is blonde or fine, you might not notice the growth for a couple of days but if it is dark and thick, the results of classic shaving are usually short-lived and you will usually feel stubble on the next day.
Plucking
Plucking may be quite painful and time-consuming but it will keep the hair away for longer. You are taking the whole hair out of the follicle and the results will last for as long as six weeks. Over time, plucking hair can damage the hair follicle and this may cause hair to grow back finer and fairer or stop it growing altogether.
Waxing
Wax is used to pull hair out by the root so it also has long-lasting results of up to six weeks. Just how long the hair takes to grow depends on the hair growth cycles. Some hair will be growing under the surface or will be above the surface but not long enough to be removed by waxing. In the next few weeks, you may see these hairs start appearing, depending on their color and thickness.
If you get a wax regularly every two weeks or so for a while, you will notice that your skin remains hair free for longer and you will be able to stay hair-free for a longer time between appointments. Age, hormone levels, genetics and season all play a part in hair growth cycles.
Threading
Someone experienced in threading can do it quickly and with great precision. No chemicals or other tools are needed and it’s commonly used on facial hair. The hair is pulled out by the root and so it does not grow back for up to six weeks.
Over time threading can cause damage to the hair follicle, affecting its growth and even stopping it from growing altogether.
Epilation
An epilator has a number of tiny tweezers opening and closing to tweeze out your hairs. The smooth results last about the same amount of time as waxing or threading which is about six weeks because the hair is pulled out by the root. Your results when epilating will depend on various factors such as when last you did it, your genetics and how well you epilate.
When you first start epilating, your hair is in different growth cycles. Just as with waxing, if you epilate more frequently, you will target all the hairs that grow back at different rates and eventually remain hair free for longer periods. Over time epilating can also cause regrowth to become finer and lighter as well as stop the hair from growing as quickly because the follicle gets damaged.
Laser Removal or Electrolysis
Not all hair types benefit from laser hair removal. It works effectively on people with dark hair and light skin but sometimes multiple sessions are required. The FDA has approved laser removal for reducing hair permanently but not for removing it permanently. Undergoing numerous treatments often helps to reduce the amount of hair and make hairs finer or lighter and it may eventually prevent it from growing altogether.
Electrolysis is approved by the FDA for permanent hair removal. However, your results can be affected by the skill of the person doing it, the area where it is done, the type used and even your hormone levels.
Which Method Lasts The Longest?
Depilatories will usually keep hair at bay for a short period, as does shaving because the hair is not removed by the root. Depending on various factors such as your hair type and thickness, hair can reappear within a day or a week. Methods such as plucking hairs out with a tweezer, waxing and using an epilator remove the hair from the follicle so the results last much longer, up to about six weeks. Laser hair removal can last up to six months and may even become permanent with repeated sessions.
Electrolysis is permanent and is, therefore, the longest lasting method.
