Beauty Therapy

Jul 22 2008 by Hannah Davies, The Journal

HAIR removal is down there in the ‘hate-it-but-have-to’ beauty category. But during the sunshine months, staying hair-free is even more of a necessity.

With no opaques or woollen trousers to hide behind, summer fashions take no prisoners for those who slack on hair-free upkeep.

While some women wince at the very mention of the word waxing, others swear by it as a method of hair removal that lasts. Depending on your hair type, you can expect to be hair-free for up to four weeks. The major pitfall is waiting for your hair to grow at least an eighth of an inch long beforehand.

Expert tip: “Apply wax in the direction of hair growth and remove in opposite direction of hair growth. Always hold skin taut when removing,” recommends Fardad Moayeri, co-founder of Parissa hair removal.

Try: Tesco Wax Strips for Sensitive Skin, £2.99; Wax Away Fruity Peelable Warm Wax, £7.99 (Superdrug nationwide); Parissa Wax Strips for Face and Bikini, £7.99 (Boots nationwide); BaByliss Simply Smooth Wax, £40 0870 513-3191.

Short on time and cash? Whipping out the trusty razor blade is still the easiest and least expensive method of making stubble disappear. The downside is speedy regrowth.

Expert tip: “Shave at the end of your shower. This will allow time for the water and steam to hydrate the hair and improve your shave because hydrated hair requires significantly lower cutting forces compared to dry hair,” says Dr Kristina Vanoosthuyze, P&G senior scientist at Gillette Shaving Department.

Try: Gillette Venus Breeze, £7.99; Johnson’s Shower & Shave, £2.19 (Boots/Superdrug nationwide); The Body Shop wooden shaving brush, £5.50.

If you want something that works like a shaver but with similar results to waxing, step forward the epilator which lasts for up to four weeks. The multiple tweezer action is a tad painful, but like waxing, each session becomes a little less ‘ouch’ as time goes on

Expert tip: “To prevent any stubborn ingrown hairs, always exfoliate after use,” says Nikki McReynolds, for Remington.

Try: Braun Silk Epil Xpressive, from £69.99 (Boots/Argos nationwide); Remington Bodycurve Dual Head Epilator EP5000, £49.99 (Superdrug/ Argos nationwide); Philips Satinelle Ice Premium Rechargeable Epilator, £64.99 (Boots/Argos nationwide).

If you’re adamant you want to give a specific area of your body hair the chop for good, Intense Pulse Light Therapy (IPL) may be your best option.

Expert tip: “To ensure as many hair follicles are targeted as possible it is important not to undergo any hair removal (except shaving) for at least four weeks before your IPL appointment or during the course of treatment,” says Sarah Hickey at Ellipse IPL.

Try: Ellipse IPL clinics nationwide (0207 581- 4499/www.ellipseipl.co.uk). Prices from £40, three to six treatments recommended; or IPL for Hair Removal at Woodford Medical clinics nationwide (0845 602-1161 /www.woodfordmedical.com). Prices from £75, six to 12 treatments recommended.