From brows to bikini line, hair removal has been part of our beauty routines for centuries. Looking at the changes in beauty trends and huge advancements in technology, it’s amazing to see how many methods we’ve developed, from home remedies, to full salon treatments. Here’s a look at some of the world’s most popular hair removal methods, and how they’ve developed over time. You might even find some top tips along the way.
Shaving
Even the Ancient Egyptians used an early form of razor made of bronze or flint to keep their bodies smooth and hair-free[1]. It’s said to have been a very important mark of wealth and status. However, as hemlines rose in the 20th century, shaving hit the mainstream, becoming widely available as part of any woman’s beauty routine. Shaving is still hugely popular today, however it does have its competition. Even modern razors can often cause irritation, and still run the risk of causing nicks and cuts. Although it can be a conveniently quick process, its quick regrowth can be rather inconvenient, meaning you may have to repeat the process more often than you would like.
Waxing
Waxing is an age-old method of hair removal - with sugaring being its earliest form. The Ancient Egyptians, renowned for their unique beautifying techniques, used a mixture of lemon, sugar, and water, heated to form a syrup. They would smooth a layer of the gum onto the skin, let it cool for a moment and pull it away quickly -the paste would pull hair directly from the root.These days, there’s a much more convenient way to perform sugaring. Veet Oriental Wax is inspired by ancient wax recipes and gives you salon-style results in the comfort of your own home. No need to concoct your own sugaring blend, simply heat the wax in the microwave before applying it to your skin. If only the Ancient Egyptians had Veet on hand!
Depilatory Creams
We often relate hair removal to pain but this need not be the case. Getting rid of body hair can actually be a completely pain free experience when using depilatory creams. The cream dissolves unwanted hair from the skin’s surface, leaving nothing behind but satiny smooth skin. Depilatory cream may appear to be a modern hair removal solution but it’s actually been around for thousands of years. Early formulas even contained hair- raising ingredients such as arsenic and quicklime.[2] Not the most skin-friendly ingredients, but it seemed to do the trick at the time! Luckily, depilatory creams have evolved to become safer to use.
As you can tell, hair removal has been fashionable with beauty-conscious people throughout the ages. It’s also progressed to suit the changing times. Razors, sugaring and depilatory creams have become much more convenient to use. Whichever method you opt for, getting rid of unappealing hair has never been easier.
