Pre-beach trip hair removal -- need input
 

Okay, it's not 100% a travel question. But I AM asking because of the beach travel I do. I vacation in warm destinations a LOT, and I am tired of shaving and/or depilitating my body hair!

I'm considering electrolysis but I don't know anyone who has done this. From what I can tell it's the only "permanent" hair removal solution; lasers are NOT permanent hair removers (although they do offer "permanent reduction").

Your input is appreciated. I'm thinking the bikini line and some stray hairs on the face have got to go. Worried about the pain factor, damage to my skin (esp. the face), and whether it works.

If you shave every day, it becomes part of your personal hygiene regimen.

Go to France, then it won't be an issue.

One word: Brazilian

Really, just go to your closest day spa and ask for some waxing services and tell them what locations on your face and body you would like to have "hair free."

The only time you have to worry about damage is in any area you use Retin A products.

We travel to the Caribbean two or three times per year and I have even gotten my husband into the spirit. He gets his upper body waxed - front and back but not arms - all the way to the top of his swim trunks.

The pain is only kinda bad in certain areas - if you get my drift... :)

Electrolysis for the all the areas you are talking about would cost 1,000's and take multiple visits since each hair must basically be zapped all the way down to the roots.

Diana's right, waxing is the most thorough way to get rid of bodyhair before a beach vacation. I can't shave my legs every day, or they'll get all bumpy, so it's the only way I can go to the beach!!!
Electrolysis just wouldn't work for large areas...

I couldn't stand not shaving daily. Creeps me out.

Well, I've never done a bikini wax so perhaps it's time to try. Scares me to death.

GoTravel, don't you get tired of shaving every day??? I just think it would be a dream come true if I could hop on a plane to the beach on a moment's notice, without thinking "uh oh, gotta get rid of that hair . . . "

Plus, if you shave your bikini area, it's a KILLER to go into the ocean too soon afterwards. Ouch.

Lasers work best on dark hair and light skin, so perhaps lasering the ole bikini line is the way to go. Then maybe electrolysis on the face.

If you've had kids, waxing is a walk in the park.

Im with GoTravel...I cant imagine not shaving everyday...would make me feel icky I think.

But if your hair was gone, you wouldn't need to shave. So no cause for feeling "icky."

Debbie, it's just like brushing my teeth. I do it every day so it is habit. On the few rare times I've skipped (being sick) it has grossed me out.

Get a good razor, a Mach III (expensive but worth it) and try it every day for a week. Once you've shaved, when you shave the next day, there isn't much to shave so it doesn't take long at all.

Ditto for the bikini line.

Do not, I repeat, do not use a cheap disposable razor. It will tear up your skin and give you razor burn.

I also suggest shaving with a thick oil. I use Hawaiian Tropic Dark Tanning Oil. It is thick and makes my skin feel like silk.

Electrolysis would work beautifully for a few stray hairs on the face. You would probably need two or three short treatments as some hairs are always in a dormant phase at any given time. I think you'd be very pleased with electrolysis for this area.

For larger areas, though, I think electrolysis would take way too much time and money.

Electrolysis is slightly painful but tolerable for a short session.

Electrolysis for your face- but remember that you can't have too much sun exposure for a day afterwards. It is permanent but will take time. Shaving stopped working for me when I was in my early-mid twenties-- red, bumpy, ingrown hairs. For a while waxing worked but I seem to have the coloring that works for laser hair removal (dark brown hair, very light skin) and I am doing it at my dermatologist's office. I am not doing bikini line though because everyone says it is too painful. If I had beach vacations frequently though, I would. It is VERY expensive and takes at least a year. Waxing works well enough for bikini when I need it.
Call up the most upscale day spa in your area and ask if they can recommend someone who does electrolysis. You probably know lots of women who have done electrolysis and laser but just don't know. If you speak to women about these issues- friends, co-workers, neighbors- I'm sure many will share recommendations and experiences.

I never had any idea people thought body hair was so gross ;)! Those poor beeastly hairy french women!
( guess I better shave more often!) But seriously, there are those of us who cannot shave daily without skin getting irritated and bumpy, and for beach trips, waxing is a godsend!

Jeeees, take it offline will ya - I made the mistake of reading this just before lunch. Ugggg. But as long as I'm here, I'll vote for the traditional wax. But I cannot believe you guys force your hubbies to get waxed.

One thing I recommend is to keep your skin in really good condition -- mainly to keep it moisturized. I think this is true for ANY type of removal you have planned.

I shave my legs often, using products that seem to help my skin remain smooth. Before shaving, I use one of those nylon scrunchies -- with body wash -- to loosen any dead skin and add emollients (sp?). Immediately after showering I slather on Skintimate Shave Gel.

hey SoBeTraveller, I just give the ole hubby a shot of brown liquor and let'er rip! The pain from the back wax doesn't render him unconscious.

Hey SoBe.
I don't FORCE him to wax - but I did talk him into doing it once, and now he is hooked.
He was very embarassed the first time, and it took him three hang up calls to get up the nerve to make the appointment.
Now he is a regular "metrosexual." ;)

Just chiming in here.

Waxing works great.

Electrolysis is really only practical for small sections of skin - upper lip, eyebrows, etc. Otherwise it is cost prohibitive and takes a really long time.

OK, no force, I see. People should be free to seek out pain, I agree.