Humans are mammals, which means we all have hair. And, for as nearly as long as humans have been on the planet, we have tried to find ways to remove unwanted body hair. And things are changing, women especially look at hair removal methods for aesthetic and sanitary reasons. Let’s look at how the practice evolved, from primitive copper razors in ancient Egypt to today’s laser hair removal in Lafayette.
A (Hairy) Tale As Long As Time
According to The Women’s Museum of California, some of the first razors were used in Egypt and India around 3,000 B.C. to remove leg and pubic hair. A few centuries later, Roman women used tweezers, pumice stones, and even depilatories. It turns out, much of the history of hair removal coincides with the history of fashion—especially in America. Fast-forward a millennium or so to the first half of the 20th century. When it came to women’s clothes, hemlines started rising, and sleeves started disappearing. Consequently, women wanted smooth legs and hair-free underarms to go with the new apparel.
During World War II, nylons were scarce, so women replicated the smooth-leg look by shaving. And when the bikini first appeared in 1946, the bikini and pubic area became another hair-free focus. Eventually, Brazillians became popular, and women began waxing away all their pubic hair. The appeal of smooth, hairless skin is undeniable during the summer months. But how to get it? Thanks to advances in cosmetology and technology, you have some choices.
Wax, Electricity, and Creams—Oh My!
We’re all familiar with shaving and waxing. They’re often the most accessible means of removing hair. However, we’re also all too familiar with the fact that these methods are only temporary. Waxing might give you two weeks of smooth skin—not very long for the amount of pain it causes. And we’ve all experienced the disappointment of a close shave still only lasting a day. Depilatory hair removal creams use chemicals to break down hair’s keratin so you can wipe away the unwanted hair. But results only last about as long as shaving though, and there’s a big risk of chemical burns.
Electrolysis attempts to permanently remove hair by hitting individual hair follicles with a direct electric current. Since your body has as many as 5 MILLION hair follicles, you can imagine the time and effort this could take. Many people also claim it’s incredibly painful compared to lasers or other methods.
Laser Hair Removal: Perfected
Laser hair removal was actually an accident. Scientists first noticed results in 1963, but it took decades to perfect the technology. Initially, lasers did effectively damage hair follicles to stop growth. Unfortunately, the treatment also damaged the skin. In the 1980s, scientists eventually developed the right wavelength and pulse duration to target hairs selectively. (It’s technically known as selective photothermolysis, for you science buffs.) The result is permanently hair-free skin with comparatively less pain than electrolysis.
Today, the GentleMax Pro treatment is among the best to give you smooth, permanent results. At The Aesthetic Medicine and Anti-Aging Clinics of Louisiana, our trained technicians are ready to provide you with the results you desire. Schedule a free consultation appointment to get started. We have locations offering laser hair removal in Lafayette and Baton Rouge. We can’t wait to help you look—and feel—your very best.