Teens and hair removal: an unavoidable topic. Indeed, smooth and hairless skin is still desirable today, which means that teenage girls are often eager to eliminate newly grown hairs, however fine and pale they may be. Friends compare each other out: one shaves, another goes to the beautician, yet another has electrolysis treatments. Many parents therefore ask themselves: when should teens be allowed to epilate, and which method is best for them?
Let us first acknowledge that there is no such thing as an ideal age to start epilating. It is always better to openly discuss the matter to avoid undesirable consequences. Here then are a few temporary epilation methods that teens can take advantage of today.
Temporary Methods
The Good Old Razor
Safety razors or electrical shavers, depilatory creams and abrasives provide accessible and cheap hair removal solutions. These methods are thus very popular among teens but do not provide durable results. Most of the time, you can see the hairs peeking under the surface of the skin as early as the following day. Using a traditional razor also involves the risk of cuts or infections if it was not properly disinfected or was borrowed from a family member. Let us also add that improper shaving technique can deform the hair and thus promote the formation of ingrown hairs.
Lightening Creams – Too Good to Be True?
Lightening creams can seem like an attractive solution, thanks to their simplicity of use. Yet they can easily create more problems than they solve. Not only can they irritate the skin but they also open the scales of the hair shaft, which makes it appear wider. The hair is therefore even more prominent once the discoloration process wears off. One step forward, two steps back, as the saying goes…
Wax and Tweezers, a Great Combination
Wax and tweezers are tried and true temporary hair removal techniques which allow a much longer regrowth delay compared to shaving (up to three weeks). The procedure however can be painful for many, and if done improperly, deformation of the hair follicle is possible which creates conditions for the appearance of ingrown hairs.
Photoepilation – Wonderful, but not for Everybody
Laser or pulsed light (IPL) photoepilation is very popular today. While it promises quick results over large sections of the body, this type of treatment does not, however, lend itself to all types of skins and hairs. Because pigmentation present in the skin and hair both absorb the light energy and turns it into heat, photoepilation should not be attempted on darker skins (to mitigate burn risks) and likewise gives proper results on darker hairs only. Blond, ginger, grey or white hairs are largely unaffected by it. Further, IPL and LASER do not provide complete elimination of hairs, but only a reduction in hair coverage. For teens in particular, this technique is best avoided altogether, as their hairs are generally fine and less pigmented. We thus consider it wiser to wait until adulthood before turning to those otherwise excellent methods.
Electrolysis – An Investment for Life
Electroepilation (electrolysis) is the only definitive epilation technique that is suited for all types of hairs and skins, whatever the treated region. Thanks to the ultra-quick 21,12 MHz frequency, treatments are very efficient and surprisingly comfortable. Besides, when using insulated probes, the skin is better protected, which dramatically reduces undesirable cutaneous reactions. For all these reasons, electrolysis can be promoted as the overall best choice for getting rid of those pesky, unwanted hairs – especially on the face, where the skin is particularly sensitive and delicate. Electrolysis is safe and free of side effects. For young girls, we however recommend waiting for their periods to start before undertaking an electrolysis treatment regimen in order to make sure that their pilosity has reached mature levels. Finally, we would like to stress that electrolysis requires a certain amount of discipline and is a long-term investment. Depending on the treated zone, appointments can stretch over months. Better then make sure your teen is committed to the process beforehand.
Whatever the chosen hair removal method, your teen needs to feel good in her skin. But if your budget allows for it, we advise going for permanent hair removal. It is a smart investment, for which your teen will be grateful for life!
No Comments