It's finally summer -- time to bare those legs.
But what's the best way to make those legs (and other parts of the body) smooth and hair-free?
There are two forms of temporary hair removal: Depilation, which gets rid of the hair at or above skin level, and epilation, which removes the whole hair from its root. Shaving is the most common form of depilation, while waxing is a popular epilation technique.
Shanna Owen and her daughter Ashleigh Conner have never tried waxing their legs, but Conner said she would be open to it. As the two sat in the sun at Dierkes Lake last week, Owen said waxing and shaving must have been thought up by a man.
"It'd be nice to run around hairy like them, wouldn't it?" she said, rubbing her own freshly shaved legs.
Some men come in for facial and chest waxes, said Julie Kodesh of Le Duke Salon in Twin Falls, but the trend is more popular in metro areas. Other forms of hair removal, like threading and sugar waxes, are also popular in bigger cities, but apparently haven't made their way to Magic Valley yet.
Sugaring, similar to waxing, uses a heated sugar mixture that adheres to hair to yank it out. Threading uses a cotton string rolled and twisted along the skin, catching and pulling out hairs. Threading is one of the oldest hair-removal techniques, but these days in the U.S., it's still the domain of big-city specialty salons.
But for those who prefer silky-smooth legs -- or any other body part -- there are still a few options. Many southern Idaho salons offer different types of wax for people with different skin types, Kodesh said. Ask your beautician for information. Shaving The old standby for fast, easy smooth legs. For: Legs, face, underarms, bikini area. Pros: A quick, affordable fix to unwanted hair. Cons: Effects don't last long; stubble can appear within a day. Nicks make the whole process uncomfortable, and irritating red bumps can appear, said Tracy Harding, licensed esthetician at A Day Spa in Twin Falls. Women with light skin and dark hair might still be able to see the hair underneath the skin, Harding added. Waxing Hot wax is applied to the skin and yanked off, taking the hair with it. Different types of wax are available for various skin types. For: Legs, torso, underarms, eyebrows, face, bikini area. Pros: The effects last longer than shaving, Harding said. Expect to be hair-free for four to six weeks. Cons: Waxing hurts. Also, the hair must be long enough to adhere to the wax, so you won't be able to shave for about two weeks in advance of your appointment, Harding said. And like shaving, waxing can lead to ingrown hairs. Plucking Attack unwanted hair with tweezers. For: Stray facial hairs. Pros: Excellent for eyebrow shaping and maintenance. Cons: It hurts a little, and overzealous plucking can lead to misshapen, scrawny eyebrows.
