It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her hair. But when body hair changes without our permission? Then it’s our imperative to check it out. Because hair is a signifier—its presence, its gain, or its loss—hair is always trying to tell us something. Here’s what your hair can reveal about you:

1. Your genetic inheritance

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The amount of hair that blankets your body can depend on your ethnicity. The fine hairs that cover the body are called vellus (from the Latin word for “fleece”). Long, coarse, pigmented hairs that are larger in diameter are called terminal hairs and are found in eyebrows and eyelashes, on the scalp and chin, under your arms, and in your pubic area.

“There’s a spectrum of what’s normal with each ethnicity, of course, but different ethnicities have differing amounts of terminal hair,” says Margaret E. Wierman, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver and chief of endocrinology at the Denver Veterans Administration Medical Center. “The ethnicity with the least amount of terminal hair is Asian, whereas people of Hispanic and Middle Eastern descent typically have the most. Other ethnicities fall somewhere in between. So what’s normal, hair-wise, for you might not be normal for someone of a different ethnic background.”

2. You could have an autoimmune problem

It’s rare, but the immune system can turn on your hair follicles. The result can be losing your hair in odd, circular patches (called alopecia areata); losing all your hair on your scalp (alopecia totalis); or losing all your hair on your head and body, including your eyebrows and eyelashes (alopecia universalis). These conditions are typically treated with systemic steroids, and the hair can grow back—though the cure doesn’t always last.

3. Your hormones are out of balance

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A sudden increase in hair growth or loss in women is often caused by an imbalance of male hormones, which are naturally present in both men and women in differing amounts. If you get an increase in testosterone, for example, excess hair can be the result. “It’s called hirsutism—a condition of unwanted male-pattern hair growth in women,” says Wierman. “The ‘male-pattern’ part of the diagnosis means hair above the belly button, on the upper chest, or on the upper back. More than eight hairs around a single nipple is considered abnormal in women and would meet the definition of hirsuitism.”

Much like male-pattern excess hair, male pattern baldness in women is also a sign of shifting male hormone levels. When estrogen levels decline during menopause and, as a consequence, testosterone rises, many women find that the hair on their heads thins while their facial hair becomes coarser. You might even find an errant hair on your chin. “Initially horrifying, yes,” says Wierman, “but all perfectly normal.”

4. Your ovaries may need checking

“If hirsutism is accompanied by irregular periods, it’s most likely a systemic problem,” says Wierman. The most common cause is polycystic ovary syndrome, which is characterized by enlarged ovaries that contain small collections of fluid, called follicles. The second most likely cause is obesity, which can also accompany polycystic ovary syndrome.

5. You might have a tumor

If hirsutism comes on very suddenly and dramatically—”Say, over a period of six months,“ says Wierman—and your testosterone levels and DHEAS levels (a blood test will reveal both) are very high, you may have a tumor that is releasing male hormones and changing the hormone profile in your body to such as extent that you’re growing hair and fast. “In these cases, we look for a tumor of the adrenal gland or ovary—both are possibilities,” she says. “It’s not common, but it’s something your doctor will check out.”

6. You might be iron deficient or have an underactive thyroid

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Everyone has a hair cycle. Some people tend to naturally shed hair in the spring and fall; others in the summer and winter. But diffuse hair loss—noticeable hair loss on your body and your head can indicate an iron deficiency or an underactive thyroid. Vegetarians and women with heavy periods can experiences this type of hair loss. Thyroid related loss has specific symptoms, says Wierman: “If you find that you’re losing the outside third of your eyebrows—and you’re developing ridges in your nails, you probably have autoimmune thyroid disease,” she says. “Go in for a blood test to have your TSH—or, thyroid-stimulating hormone—levels checked.”   A sudden change in your estrogen levels—after pregnancy or stopping birth control pills, for example—can also lead to temporary hair shedding.

7. Your bad habits

Some drugs leave detectable traces in your hair for years—even a century. Trace amounts of morphine were found in a lock of hair that had been snipped from celebrated English poet John Keats’ head 165 years after his death. The ode master had relied on morphine for pain relief while he was dying of tuberculosis.

By Megan Othersen Gorman

With summer comes the all-too familiar feeling of stepping into a cool blast of air conditioning—and watching as all the tiny hairs on your legs stand up straight. What’s worse is if you skipped a shave in the last few days (okay, week), you probably pulled down your sundress and hoped no one else took notice of your cactus legs. Rather than have you shiver at the mere mention of A/C all summer long, we spoke to the pros to see what the deal is with waxing. Here’s what you need to know before you book your first appointment.

Find out everything you can about the place you choose to schedule your appointment.

As much as you’d rather not conduct research out of the classroom (sorry!), it’s key to know everything you possibly can about the salon before scheduling yourself a wax. Not unlike the bacterial risks associated with certain mani practices, some establishments have lax rules about waxing that can leave you irritated or worse, burned. And most importantly, remember this: if your waxer re-uses the same spatula to apply a new layer of wax, run! Double dipping into the same hot pot of wax can introduce bacteria to the skin.

Look for salons that have all-natural alternatives to synthetic wax.

For first-timers or those with sensitive skin, all-natural waxes won’t incite an angry red, unwanted rash or reaction.

Skip shaving—for awhile.

As if we have to ask twice? Let the hair on your legs grow to about a quarter of an inch before your appointment. This allows the wax to grasp the hair and completely remove it from its follicle, so you’re left with super-smooth legs—that last much longer than a couple of days.

Don’t exfoliate the day of.

But do exfoliate before you go.

Drink plenty of water.

For the silkiest-smooth results ever, stay hydrated—inside and out.  What are you waiting for? Start chugging.

You don’t need to prep for any pain.

A wax shouldn’t be agonizing, or even remotely painful, in any way. When the waxer pulls off the strip, you should feel a quick tug, but nothing more. If it hurts or burns, address your concerns immediately.

Check the strip size.

As much as we wish stripping hair huge-sections at a time would speed up an appointment, waxing takes time—so be patient.  If the hair isn’t completely removed from its follicle, your waxer may have to return to the area for another round.

Take care of your skin post-wax.

No need to moisturize your legs before your appointment! This can make limbs more slippery, so the wax won’t grip. At the same time, post-appointment care is critical for lasting smoothness. Ensure your waxer moisturizes the newly-hairless area afterwards, and apply lotion to legs after your shower later on. And don’t forget your SPF!

In the last several years, waxing has become a common (and popular) service offered at salons and spas. Whether it’s the eyebrow, upper lip, armpit or, well, someplace more intimate, many people choose waxing for longer-lasting hair removal. But to those who’ve never done it (or who’ve done it once and had a bad experience), it can seem a bit daunting. If you’re thinking about giving waxing a try, we’ve spoken to the experts and gotten the inside scoop on everything from preparation and pain to what kind of results to expect, so you can be well prepared when it comes time to take it all off—your hair, that is.

Who Should Wax
Waxing is a great alternative to shaving if you have hair you’re uncomfortable with.  Though it is recommended that people start getting wax treatments at a young age, when the hair is fine and will be less painful to remove, anyone can get it done, regardless of age.

Waxing vs. Shaving
Waxing is better because it removes hair from the root. When you shave you just cut the hair, so two hours later, you can see the hair there or the blue shadow (the hair follicle below the skin). Waxing, on the other hand, not only can last up to a month, but it’s also much more permanent—over time it thins the hair so less grows back. Bonus: It exfoliates the skin as well, leaving you feeling silky smooth.

Preparing for a Wax
If you’re worried about pain, take one or two Advil an hour before your appointment. It is also recommended that you use an exfoliating scrub the day before and advise not to apply body lotion the day of the wax. Also, for underarm waxing, use deodorant without antiperspirant because it comes off easier.

How Often to Wax
If you’ve shaven recently, wait five days. And though the time does vary between waxes, depending on how quickly or coarsely the hair grows back, it’s best to wait around a month.

What to Expect
First your waxer will clean and disinfect the area. After that, she’ll apply the wax and remove small areas of hair at a time. There are two different types of wax: soft wax is done with paper or muslin strips, and hard wax is removed without strips. In general, hard wax is used to remove hair in the bikini, underarm and face area; soft wax is used on larger areas of the body such as the leg or armpit. Afterwards, she’ll remove any wax residue and apply cream.

The Pain Factor
Waxing is uncomfortable because the hair is being pulled all the way out. If the roots are not pulled out, the discomfort is minimal but the results are also minimal.  To be sure it’s done right, you may want to check the strips to ensure the roots were also removed (you should see a small dark bulb on the hair follicle).

Post-Wax Treatment
Although the pain does subside as soon as the wax is over, the area can remain sensitive, which is why you should not use any scrubs for the next 48 hours and not to expose the area to direct sun for at least 24 hours. To treat redness or swelling, apply a small amount of cortisone cream from the drugstore.

Maintenance
After the tenderness has subsided, exfoliate in the shower to remove dead skin so the pores don’t become clogged, causing ingrown hairs and bumps. If bumps do appear, don’t squeeze or tweeze!

Waxing Hygiene
First and foremost, make sure you go to a place with proper sterilization procedures. The technician should be licensed and she should not double-dip during the waxing session. (Double dipping means that the technician used the same stick each time she dipped into the vat of hot wax. This practice contaminates the wax and allows bacteria to spread from one client to another. Plus, you wouldn’t want the wax used on your upper lip to have been mixed with a stick used on another woman’s bikini area.)

The Bikini Wax
There are special concerns when waxing the bikini area, but they’re very similar to those for the rest of the body.

Bikini vs. Brazilian
A Brazilian wax removes more hair than a bikini wax. Whereas a bikini focuses on the front and sides (what would be visible in a swimsuit), the Brazilian removes the front, sides, back and everything in between, often only leaving a strip of hair in the front—or none at all. Most of the time, you can leave your underwear on during a standard bikini wax, but for a Brazilian, you’ll have to be sans panties.

Why Brazilian?
Some reasons for having a Brazilian wax include cleanliness, convenience and, of course, sexiness. When you sit at the beach or pool in your bathing suit, you feel so good, so comfortable because you don’t have to worry about it [hair peeking out].

Does It Hurt More?
“Some women can’t do the bikini, but they are OK with the eyebrow. Others can do the bikini, but they can’t stand to wax their legs,” Padilha says. “Everyone is different. But it does hurt less the longer you do it. Eventually the hair becomes weak, so it doesn’t hurt at all.”

Does It Matter What Time of the Month It Is?
Waxing hurts more the week before your period, so it’s best to go in the week after. And if you’re pregnant? If you’re pregnant, it’s fine. It doesn’t hurt more. Otherwise, it’s just about being comfortable.

Bikini season is upon us and in-spa waxing services are the number one choice for getting bathing-suit ready skin. To make sure your waxing experience is the best experience possible, here is a pre-wax to-do list!

1. Seek out a pro! Sure, there are plenty of at-home waxing kits that promise to remove hair but, a professionally trained esthetician will be able to ensure that your waxing experience is as safe, quick and painless as possible. Using an at-home kit means taking risks and can leave you with irritated skin, burns or even less hair than you mean to end up with.

2. Let your hair grow! You may be tempted to tidy up in-between waxing sessions, but allowing your hair to get on a growth cycle is what the professionals recommend. It means a less painful wax experience as your hair will get finer, thinner and grow more sparse. At the very least, allow for two-weeks of hair growth. Waxing works best when there is at least a quarter inch to a half inch of hair.

3. Check your ingredient labels! Avoid exfoliants for at least 48 hours before and after you wax and stop using retinol products 3-5 days beforehand. Both remove dead skin cells and leave your new, top layer of skin more sensitive. Waxing is already an exfoliant as it clings to both hair and dead skin cells so applying it to a new, more sensitive layer of skin makes for a more painful process.

4.  Prepare for a little pain. Although using a professional esthetician means receiving the most pain-free experience possible, they are still pulling your hair out. You should still expect some discomfort. Taking a a pain reliever prior to your appointment can help.

5. Avoid an irritation situation. Steer clear of coffee and alcohol for 24 hours before your appointment as both can sensitize skin, increasing the potential for pain and irritation. Wear loose-fitting clothing and avoid letting your skin come into contact with any potential irritants.

Now that you know how to prepare, you can give us a call to schedule your next wax at Precision Therapeutic Massage and Esthetics in Springfield, MO.