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Shaving

Body Hair From Around The World

illustraction of nine different women in bikinis

The grooming habits of American women are well known today.  Like most things’ appearance-related, they are media-driven.  The removal (and trimming) of pubic hair in the US appears to be tied to the invention of the bikini in the ’60s. 

Different countries prefer specific hair removal methods to others.  These might include waxing, shaving, depilatory creams, laser hair removal, or threading.  What are the personal grooming habits of women around the world?  We’re here to tell you!

The UK:  The UK is most like the USA in preferring waxing and laser hair removal.  Shaving is another popular method simply because it is more accessible, convenient, and costs less.

Japan:  Women in Japan have preferred to shave only their legs and underarms, leaving the bikini and pubic area untouched.  It is also quite common to remove facial hair and peach fuzz for a smooth, glass-like appearance. 

Australia:  Australian women are known for being beach babes, and what those beach babes do not want is unwanted hair.  Removing their leg, underarm, and facial hair as well as hair in their bikini region with laser hair removal or waxing is not uncommon.  Australians are so into hair-free, smooth skin that those that do not remove their hair are considered outliers.

India:  Predominantly it is the women of upper classes that now remove their unwanted leg, underarm, and pubic hair in India with their chosen removal method being primarily depilatory creams.  However, laser hair removal is quickly becoming more popular as laser technology develops for use on darker skin tones.  With laser hair technology, it is becoming more popular to remove hair from the chin, upper lip, underarms, cheeks, and bikini area.

Brazil:  You likely assume that the term “Brazilian wax” comes from Brazil, but that is not true.  It is American and is not very popular in Brazil.  The most popular grooming style among Brazilian women is to leave a “landing strip” of hair.

Germany:  It is common for women to shave their legs, underarms, and the bikini region in Germany.  Much like in the US, it is extremely popular to be smooth and hair-free.  Laser hair removal is the most popular hair removal method because it is most effective, efficient, and permanent.

China:  Hair removal in China has not been a significant beauty ritual, up until recently.  Chinese women didn’t bother to remove their leg or armpit hair, as hair was just part of your body and nothing to be ashamed about.  Body hair is considered completely natural.  Hair removal methods (for those mostly in big cities) use depilatory creams or shaving.

As you can see, women throughout most of the world remove at least some of their body hair.  While the parts to be plucked may change according to trends, if time tells us anything, it is that women will continue to want to keep at least some portion of their bodies hairless.

Dermaplaning vs. Full Face Waxing and Shaving

woman in robe with towel on head touching her face and smiling

Everyone likes having smooth skin, and for many people, their faces are no exception. To get rid of the peach fuzz (also called Vellus hair) on your face, there are some options.

Dermaplaning is a treatment that should only be provided by a licensed professional. During this process, the skin is pulled taut on the face while a surgical blade is used to closely cut the fine hair and dead skin. Unlike other methods, using this treatment allows the hair to grow back softer and is a better exfoliant. Learn more about dermaplaning.

While waxing is a common option people utilize, there are a few things to keep in mind. We always recommend using a test spot before waxing the entire face to ensure your skin isn’t sensitive to the wax being used. Once again, you should use a professional for waxing to ensure the process is done smoothly and doesn’t leave behind scarring.

Another option is to shave the hair off of your face. People typically do this at home and must do this method more often as the hair tends to grow back quicker than the other options. Shaving tends to blunt the hair so that it doesn’t act as well as an exfoliant and could potentially lead to ingrown hairs or razor burn. This option does not offer the same exfoliation as the other two methods.

Everyone’s skin is different, and we encourage you to find the method that works with your routine the best. If you have low pain tolerance, you should look into dermaplaning or shaving options, as waxing can be painful.

If you’re not sure where to start with getting rid of the hair on your face, we’d love to talk to you! Our licensed estheticians can help guide you through the process of dermaplaning and waxing, and explain the best option for your hair and skin.

Benefits of Waxing

Legs-being-waxed

With waxing, there are many benefits but most see it as very cost-effective, long-lasting, convenient and it’s a quick way to remove unwanted hair. A wax hair removal treatment removes hair directly from the roots and the hair generally does not grow back for three to six weeks and can be used on virtually any part of the body. Commonly, it is used to remove hair on legs, underarms, bikini lines, and arms, while also removing hair from the facial areas such as; upper lip and lower lips, eyebrows, and chin. Some areas, however, should never be waxed which are eyelashes, inside of your nose and ears. Some tips to consider and other benefits that most experiences include:

Plan Ahead For That Special Event

With a wedding coming up, a planned getaway vacation, or any special day, it is very important to plan your wax in advance. When visiting a tanning salon, it is recommended to start tanning a few weeks ahead of an event because you can’t get a real base tan after just one session. This is the same with waxing, your body has to become accustomed to the wax and the removal of hair, which usually takes a person around three months. If you schedule your first waxing session before your special event, your skin might be red or irritated which defeats the whole purpose of trying to look your best.

Smooth Skin That Lasts

Waxing removes hair from the root, which means it will take a longer time for the hair to regrow and won’t for anywhere from three to eight weeks. This means hair-free, smooth skin that lasts much longer and you can show off your glowing skin for an upcoming holiday or vacation.

No Skin Damage

In comparison to other methods of hair removal, for example, hair-removing creams and shaving, waxing does not cause cuts, badly smelling skin, or pigmentation. Waxing allows this to not occur because of the harsh chemicals that are not present within the wax, which saves the skin from damage.

More Soft and Thin Body Hair

Generally, after waxing the hair that grows back is rough and had, but with waxing the hair is usually more thin and soft. One of the best things is waxing does not cause the irritating stubble that shaving usually does after one day.

Exfoliation While Removing Hair

Because waxing removes the top layer of dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, after the wax is completed the skin is soft and rejuvenated. Since waxing removes the top layer of dead skin it can also serve as an exfoliation treatment.

Waxing Prolongs Hair Growth

Once many sessions of waxing are done, there will be a noticeable prolonged time period of not hair when generally there would be. In comparison with shaving, hair growth is stimulated rather than prolonged because it removes the surface hair rather than the root.

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