Even if you don’t know what the term depilation means, you’ve probably done it. Maybe even today. We’re obsessed with it as a society, even if we don’t all know the meaning!
Don’t worry. It’s not anything terrible. In fact, it’s something we do to enhance our body image and align with social expectations. Most of us start doing it in middle or high school and continue for the rest of our lives.
Depilation, in Western culture, is a big business. There’s no denying it. We do it for hygienic reasons, aesthetic reasons, and medical reasons. We do it to our arms, legs, faces, intimate areas, and even our knuckles.
We’re only scratching the surface so far about the meaning and methods of depilation. Join us as we explore!
The definition of depilation
Unless you’re an esthetician, you’re probably not a regular user of the term. You may have seen it on creams or lotions, but we don’t use it often. Hair removal, or depilation, is one of the most common beauty practices in the world.
From the Latin depilare, which means “to remove hair,” the term is a catchall for several widely used methods of unwanted hair removal.
Why depilation is different from epilation
We’re splitting hairs here, but epilation doesn’t refer to all hair removal. It specifically refers to removing hair from below the surface by the root.
What is a depilatory?
A depilatory is anything used to remove unwanted body hair. Razors, waxes, sugars, threads, and depilatory creams all fall into the category. You may also include laser hair removal and electrolysis, but more accurately, they’re epilation.
What are some examples of depilation?
While women are common targets of depilatory products, everyone uses them. Methods vary in effectiveness, and some of the most popular have adverse side effects.
Shaving is the most common form of depilation
Using a razor is the first step most of us take in removing visible body hair. Learning to shave is a right of passage for most teens. Nicks, cuts, and ingrown hairs are common issues with shaving. Add razor burn and bumps from shaving around the bikini line, and we’re ready to do something else.
You can’t adequately address some areas with shaving; eyebrows and pubic hair spring to mind. For these delicate areas, people prefer other methods.
Threading has been growing in popularity
Practiced in India and Persia for over 6,000 years, threading is becoming a popular depilatory treatment in the United States. In this method, two threads are twisted together and pulled, catching hair in between. Threading technicians remove hair from the root below the skin.
Hairs are removed one at a time, and skilled estheticians can accurately shape brows quickly. Unlike waxing or shaving, threading doesn’t exfoliate the skin, and some people swear by the easy recovery. Results are the ultimate deciders, and we’ve seen some well-threaded brows.
Only go to an esthetician you trust for this method. It’s easy to create uneven brows, break hairs below the surface, and cause ingrown hairs with threading.
One of the oldest methods of depilation is tweezing
In the West, plucked eyebrows were the fashion in the Middle Ages. Women wanted to highlight their domed foreheads and brows just got in the way! Tweezing pulls hairs out by the root and is usually paired with other methods.
We can’t think of a less efficient method for thin brows than tweezing. But for cleaning up a few stray facial hairs, it’s the most popular choice.
Waxing, the definitive best form of depilation
All the methods we’ve mentioned above pale compared to our favorite method, waxing. Removing hair from a large area with wax is an efficient and long-lasting solution. You can even wax places you’d never put a razor! Brazilian waxes clear out hairs around the bikini area and keep everything sanitary and smooth.
Waxing also exfoliates the skin, removing the top layer of dead cells, so it promotes healthy growth. Removing peach fuzz from the face also opens up pores and prevents acne breakouts, and leaves smooth skin behind. Body waxing, including the bikini line, armpits, arms, and legs, removes all the hair in one session. And you’ll never have to deal with razor burn again!
Proper preparation and aftercare allow you to enjoy the results of waxing for several weeks. During the session, the esthetician removes the hair root using wax. And, if you do it regularly in the beginning, hairs start to thin out as the follicles stop producing.
Waxing With Aggy wants to show why waxing is the best to remove pesky hairs!
Waxing With Aggy has your back if you’re ready to reclaim your eyebrows and body from hairs that just don’t seem to get the message. We’re experts in waxing anywhere you experience hair growth and tailor your treatment to you. For sensitive skin in intimate places, you can’t make a better choice than waxing.
Choose from our complete list of services on our website and book a consultation today!