All about Threading

What is hair threading?

Threading is an ancient method of hair removal used to give clean lines and good shape to the eyebrows and hairs on the face.

Threading involves rolling twisted pure cotton threads over untidy hairlines to pluck hair. The threading pulls out a whole row of hair which contrasts to the tweezing of individual hairs.

Where did threading come from?

Threading is thought to originate from Turkey and was traditionally used on the entire face such as the chin, eyebrows, chin, sideburns and cheeks. However, it is been an ancient art for many countries such as India. In Arabic, hair threading is called khite. In Egypt, hair threading is called fatlah.


What should I expect at my hair threading session?

A hair threading session usually takes between 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the area of course). A standard hair threading session will usually involve the following steps.

1.
At the start of your threading session, your beautician will begin with approximately 2 feet of cotton sewing thread. Your beautician will then take one end of the thread in each hand and knot them together to create one continuous circle. Your beautician will wind the thread several times until it resembles a bow tie. Your beautician will then slide the wound portion to each end of the thread until the thread is ready.
2.
Once the thread is prepared, your beautician will hold the ends of a thread in her mouth. With her hands, she will make the thread taut and wind the strands around individual hairs (imagine your hair being in a lasso). The hair is then twisted and pulled out of the follicles by the root.
3.
In the usual eyebrow threading session, threading starts at the unwanted hair in the middle of the eyebrows before removing growth from the top and bottom of the eye brow. Where the eyebrow arch is very high, fewer hairs from the upper section are removed. However, if the eyebrow arch is low, hair will be removed from under the eye brows.


Tips before your thread

Before your threading session, prepare your skin by wiping the area with a cotton ball soaked in astringent. This will produce a cooling effect that numbs the skin causing you to feel less pain.

Tips after your thread

Here are some tips after you have your hair threaded:

* Threading can cause skin irritation and ingrowth hairs so apply soothing lotion after your treatment. Soothing lotion usually contains aloe vera and chamomile. Regular exfoliation also helps to remove dead skin and avoid ingrown hairs.
* To avoid skin irritation, avoid immediately after your threading treatment heat sources (such as saunas, steam rooms, sun and heavy exercise) and exfoliating products (such as AHAs and scrubs and loofas).
* To keep your eyebrows in place, spray a little hair spray on your eyebrows and brush them using little brushes.

The threading debate

Here are some points to consider when choosing whether or not to have your hair threaded instead of waxed or plucked.

* The advantage of threading over tweezing is that threading removes naturally straight lines of hair. The pulling of hair is smooth and natural, which is less painful compared to waxing.
* Another advantage of hair threading is that the top layers of skin are not peeled or traumatized. As a result, hair threading does not cause break outs, redness or pigmentation. Therefore, hair threading is recommended for people with sensitive skin. In contrast, waxing can peel or burn the top layer of facial skin, which can lead to skin loosening and wrinkles.
* As a new thread is used at every treatment, hair threading is a hygienic procedure.
* Threading, like plucking or waxing, can cause skin irritation and ingrown hairs. However, regular threading treatments cause hair regrowth to be finer and more sparse leading to reduced skin irritation and ingrown hairs.


Choosing the right beauty salon

Choosing the right beauty salon for your threading session.

Although threading may seem quite simple, this hair removal technique takes a certain amount of skill to ensure hairs are not ripped off. Threading gives best results when performed by a beautician you trust and knows exactly how you want them.

You should take care in choosing the right beauty salon for your threading session. A bad experience may discourage you from threading your hair in the future and cause you problems from skin infections and ingrown hairs. Ensure that your beautician is full trained in hair threading by asking whether your beautician has completed accredited threading courses.

It is best to choose a beauty salon from a word of mouth recommendation or a salon with a good reputation. This will ensure that your beautician uses quality materials for your thread. Good beauty salons use 100% cotton threads, which reduces skin trauma and redness.

Before, during and after your hair threading session, ask your beautician questions to see how your beautician addresses your queries. Good salons ensure that you are completely at ease during the treatment. Any desired shape, length and thickness can be given.

How much does threading cost?

On average, threading costs US$5-15 for the eyebrows. Threading is therefore a relatively inexpensive hair removal method and you generally get what you pay for. Costs also vary for larger areas.

How long does threading last?

Hair threading usually lasts 2-3 weeks.


Hair threading does not peel or traumatize the top layer of skin. Hair threading also does not cause break outs, redness or pigmentation. As a result, it is possible to have your hair thread as often as every week, depending on your tastes. Compare this to waxing where you may have to wait 4-6 weeks for your hair to grow back.

Shaving Female Pubic hair: manual Shaving

• With scissors trim the area you intend to shave as short as you can.
• Soak in very warm water for 10 - 20 minutes. This opens the pores and relaxes the hairs making them easier to cut.
• Use a new double blade razor with lubricant pad.
• Use a new blade each time. A dull razor causes roughly cut and torn hairs that cause ingrown hairs, red bumps and itching. Used razors also harbor bacteria that can cause infections of follicles. You can use the same razor to shave your legs and pits AFTER you shave your labia.
• Thoroughly clean and rinse the area before you shave
• Use Aveeno shave cream. It can help reduce red bumps and irritation
• Clean and rinse thoroughly after you shave
• Exfoliate after each shave
• Some women prefer a buff puff or similar product
• Use witch hazel extract (available in liquid form or in pads) to control itching as needed. Take some with you to work or school.
• Use the products for black men's beards to control red bumps, irritation and ingrown hairs. Black Opal brand is readily available at most pharmacies. Treat red bumps and ingrown hairs immediately. Red bumps are infected follicles.
• Shave every other day for the first few weeks then switch to daily. This helps avoid irritation. The area will eventually become used to being shaved however this can take a few days to several weeks. The skin needs time to heal. Be patient.
• Shave in the direction of hair growth for the first few weeks. The skin needs time to get used to shaving. For a smoother feel shave against the pattern of hair growth, but pay special attention to ingrown hair and irritated follicles.
• The more often you shave the sooner the area becomes used to shaving. This eventually reduces irritation or even ends it.
• Only wear cotton or silk panties. They breathe and let moisture out.
• Avoid wearing pantyhose as well as panties made with nylon, Lycra and similar non-natural materials that tend to trap moisture. Warmth and moisture can cause irritation.
• For the first few days or week or so you may wish to wear a light days pad
• If you shave right before hoping into bed and then have sex you should thoroughly clean the area soon after. This will reduce irritation and red bumps.
• A swing arm shower mirror is very helpful for making sure you shave every spot that you want to shave. It is also good for self examinations!

The Clitoris

Pubic hair Gardener

Where can I buy it? :-)

The Shaving Historical Timeline

PREHISTORIC TIMES, B.C. -

The history of shaving takes us back into the STONE AGE, around 100,000 B.C. when Neanderthal man first started pulling hair from, painting, and tattooing his body. He also enjoyed filing down his teeth for some reason, too. Ancient cave paintings inspected today will indicate that early man discovered other ways to remove hair from his face; in the beginning, he simply plucked them out using two seashells as tweezers. In fact, tweezers have remained throughout history as the most popular grooming tool ever invented, used by both "civilized" men and women to painfully remove body and facial hair. It's too bad they didn’t have Quik Shave Razors back then.

The earliest shaving razors discovered were flint blades made possibly as far back as 30,000 B.C. Flint could provide an extremely sharp edge for shaving; these were, of course, the first disposable shavers because flint becomes dull rather quickly. Not only did early man cut and/or shave off body hair with flint; he also seemed to enjoy carving unusual artistic designs into his skin. If he added natural dyes and colors to these cuts, he ended up with a tattoo. Other stone shaving tools found were made during the Neolithic Period, or Late Stone Age.

4000 - 3000 B.C. -

Women are removing body hair by making their own depilatory creams that contain bizarre combinations of scary ingredients, such as arsenic, quicklime and starch.

3000 B.C. -

Permanent shaving razors are developed, thanks to the invention of metalworking. Copper razors are found available now in both India and Egypt.

1500 - 1200 B.C. -

Some of the most elaborate razors of ancient times are produced during this period in Scandinavia. Excavated from the Danish Mound Graves, razors were found inside their own leather carrying cases with mythological scenes etched or embossed into their bronze blades; the handles were carved into horse head-shapes.

500 B.C. -

In GREECE, it is popular for men to crop hair very short and shave the face. ALEXANDER THE GREAT is pretty much the guy responsible for this trend because he is obsessed with shaving. He even shaves during wartime, and will not allow himself to be seen going into battle with a five o’clock shadow. Greeks back then considered it an aesthetic approach to personal hygiene, like the Middle Eastern cultures.

500 B.C. -

Around this time, ROMAN WOMEN remove hair with razors, pumice stones and make homemade depilatory creams made from medicinal drugs, such as bryonia. They also use tweezers to pluck their eyebrows. ROMAN MEN have a skilled live-in servant to shave them; otherwise they start their day with a trip to the tonsor, or barber, who will shave a face with an iron novacila, or Roman razor. This type of shaver corrodes quickly and becomes blunt; so most customers usually, or eventually, get cut. But don’t worry- the tonsor can fix this by applying to the face a soothing plaster made from special perfumed ointment and spider webs soaked in oil and vinegar. Despite the dangers of going to the barbershop, Roman men continue to flock in daily because they are also great centers for gossip and news.

400 B.C. -

The typical man of INDIA is found sporting a neatly trimmed, well-groomed beard; yet he shaves off all hair on his chest and pubic area; the average woman is removing hair from her legs with razors and tweezers.

400 B.C. -

Meanwhile in GREECE, the average woman is removing hair from her legs by singeing it off with a lamp. Most Greek men are shaving their faces on a regular basis, following the example of the bold shaver ALEXANDER THE GREAT.

300 B.C. -

One day, PUBLICUS TICINIUS MAENAS, a wealthy Greek businessman, brings professional barbers from Sicily to Rome, which introduces a whole new craze for shaving. Barbers use thin-bladed iron razors, which are sharpened with water and a whetstone. They don’t always use soap or oil, which is probably why it takes so long to shave a patron's face. The shaving trend endures until the days of EMPEROR HADRIAN (76-138 A.D.); who would revive the fad for beards. Hadrian actually grew a beard because he wanted to hide the lousy complexion he had on his face.

300 B.C. -

During this same time in ROME, young men about age twenty-one are required to have their first shave. They kick this off by celebrating their official entry into manhood with an elaborate party-like ritual. Other guy friends are invited to watch and give the novice shavee a bunch of nice gifts. Only soldiers and those training to become philosophers are excused from participating in this cultural ordeal.

292 B.C. -

The renowned SCIPIO AFRICANUS MAJOR (236-183 B.C.), conqueror of Hannibal in 202 B.C. also affirms the mode for being clean-shaven. He is admired and copied by men throughout Rome and by neighbors.

50 B.C. -

In ROME, many men are following the grooming example of JULIUS CAESAR (101-44 B.C.), who has his facial hairs individually plucked out with tweezers every day. He also writes this same year that "the Britons shave every part of their body except their head and upper lip."

54 - 68 A.D. -

In early Rome, POPPAEA, wife of the notorious EMPEROR NERO, uses depilatory creams to remove unwanted body hair on a daily basis. Depilatories are used as an alternative to the bloody mess that results from shaving with a blade. The latest available creams include some pretty wild ingredients, like resin, pitch, white vine or ivy gum extract, ass's fat, she-goat's gall, bat's blood, and powdered viper.

AROUND 100 A.D. -

In ROME, shaving the male face starts to become old hat, thanks to EMPEROR HADRIAN (76-138 A.D.), who is now reviving the desire for beards. Actually, Hadrian grows a beard to hide the lousy complexion he has on his face.

476 A.D. -

The ROMAN EMPIRE folds.

THE MIDDLE AGES: 476 - 1270 A.D. -

Because women in Europe wear very large and outrageous headdresses, the bizarre beauty secret of removing all hair from the eyebrows, eyelashes, temples, and necks becomes tress chic. This is masochistically accomplished by plucking and shaving every day, but a real lady who wants to represent herself in the ideal image of contemporary female beauty, knows this is a must. Sure, this makes a woman seem practically bald and somewhat extraterrestrial looking, but it is The Look to die for!

840 A.D. -

In southern Spain, a famous musician and singer from Baghdad known as BLACKBIRD opens the world’s first beauty institute. Here, students learn the secrets of hair removal, as well as how to apply cosmetics, manufacture deodorants, use toothpowder, and the basics of hairdressing.

1066 A.D. -

Shaving and haircuts help WILLIAM OF NORMANDY invade England to overcome HAROLD THE SAXON, King of Hastings. Before the attack, Harold’s spies venture out to gather intelligence; they return with the report of a very large group of "priests" seen nearby, but no enemy soldiers. Those "priests" were actually William’s army, mistaken for Holy Men due to the clean-shaven appearance on their faces and exaggerated pageboy haircuts. They shaved off the hair on the back of their heads but kept a short back and sides look, which gave them all a monk-like appearance.

THE CRUSADES: 1096 - 1270 -

Europe is introduced to the luxuries of Middle Eastern life, which make a profound impact on dress, toiletries and customs in the Middle Ages.

1100 - 1199 -

The Twelfth Century radically changes the way many societies dress and groom. In the beginning, FRENCH MEN are wearing non-stop beards, but by the close of the century, almost all chins were clean-shaven.

1500 -

The AZTEC INDIANS of North and Central America are shaving with razors made from the volcanic glass obsidian.

1558 - 1603 -

The medieval habit for women to maintain super-white skin and remove all hair from their eyebrow and forehead areas continues, as QUEEN ELIZABETH practices this action I (1533-1603) during her reign.

LATE 1600s -

Aristocratic women everywhere still pluck or shave their foreheads, and wear add-on hairpieces.

MID to LATE 1700s -

Both men and women remove all hair from the forehead to wear artificial press-on mouseskin eyebrows.

1770 -

French barber JEAN-JACQUES PERRET writes a treatise called The Art of Learning to Shave Oneself (La Pogonotomie), which gives men advice for using various shaving products and equipment. His book is also the first to originally propose the idea of a "safety razor."

1770s -

FRENCH WOMEN shave their heads completely bald so they can wear those huge, wonderful, to-die-for decorative powdered wigs fashioned in the latest hairstyles of the day.

LATE 1700s -

The PERRET RAZOR is actually manufactured, which is an L-shaped wooden guard that holds a razor blade in place. This will prevent one from cutting too deeply into their skin. Still, it lacks the real "safety" capabilities that everyone wants and needs, and therefore is not considered to be the first true safety razor. This is, however, the beginning of the safety razor’s evolution.

EARLY 1800s -

Shaving and proper grooming for men is now a self-indulging and overly narcissistic pastime, thanks to fancy London resident GEORGE BRYAN "BEAU" BRUMMELL (1778-1840), who is somewhat of a dandy. Known for his impeccable grooming, manners and style of dress, Brummell is said to shave his face several times a day and plucks out leftover hairs with tweezers. After inheriting a reasonably sized family fortune, Brummell is dedicated to maintain the lifestyle of a "gentleman of fashion." Other men are following in his footsteps so they can become like him, too.

EARLY 1800s -

European women are still concocting homemade depilatories in the kitchen. A typical formula now is one that contains chopped oak and white French wine; it is to be digested in a hot water or vapor bath for 24 hours. Another recipe calls for distilled water and celandine roots, and walnut oil is a popular hair-removing ingredient.

18th - 19th CENTURY -

In Sheffield, England, STRAIGHT STEEL RAZORS are produced, and remain in demand until the mid 1800s. The bad news is these razors become dull quickly, so they have to be honed and stropped frequently in order to use over and over.

1830 -

American men have stopped going out in public with only their shaved, baldheads. They now wear hairpieces or hats.

1840 -

After fleeing England in 1814 to escape from paying off tremendous gambling debts, possessed shaver and oh-so-pretty Man About Town GEORGE BRYAN "BEAU" BRUMMELL dies in a French lunatic asylum.

1847 -

English inventor WILLIAM HENSON creates the first "hoe type" razor, which places the blade perpendicular to its handle, just like a garden tool This forever changes the way that man will grip his shaver, and provides greater manageability. It is an overnight success.

LATE 1800s -

The VICTORIAN MAN is now very particular about personal grooming. He is starting to use shaving soaps and after-shave lotions, which are usually made at home in the kitchen from cherry laurel water.

1880 -

In the United States, the KAMPFE BROTHERS file a patent for the first SAFETY RAZOR, featuring a wire skin guard along one side of the razor’s edge. Only one side of the actual blade is used which has to be removed often for sharpening; this is the best available shaving method on the market that won’t cut a user, like straight steel razors. Blades then are manufactured by forging, which require frequent special sharpening.

1895 -

In the United States, KING CAMP GILLETTE, a salesman for the Baltimore Seal Company, originates the idea for a new disposable razor blade. For the next six years, he will promote and sell this idea to backers and toolmakers in order to make his dream shaver a reality.

1900 -

Central AFRICAN TRIBE MEMBERS are still using razors made from the volcanic glass obsidian.

1901 -

GILLETTE teams up with MIT engineer and machinist WILLIAM NICKERSON in Boston, Massachusetts. Together, they modify the safety razor by manufacturing a double-edged blade that is disposable and replaceable; it receives a U.S. patent this same year. This is a T-shaped razor which opens at the top so the user can insert a new blade after tossing out its dull, used predecessor. These blades are cut from a template, rather than forged.

1903 -

GILLETTE begins his legendary climb to the top as king of the U.S. shaving market, thanks to his shaver’s high quality, low price affordability, and his keen approach to marketing. In 1903, his total sales were 51 razors and 168 blades.

1904 -

GILLETTE'S total sales for the new state-of-the-art safety razor reach 90,000 razors and 123,000 blades.

1905 -

GILLETTE opens his first overseas office, headquartered in London, England to market products in Europe.

1910 -

WILLIS G. SHOCKEY receives a U.S. patent for his WIND-UP SAFETY RAZOR, the forerunner of electric shavers. It has a wind-up-by-hand flywheel that operates for a limited amount of time.

1914 - 1918: WORLD WAR I -

GILLETTE works out a mega deal with the U.S. Armed Forces, which provides his safety razor and blades to every enlisted man or officer on their way to Europe as a regular part of their standard issue gear. This creates tremendous worldwide promotion and publicity opportunities for Gillette’s company and products.

Why Women Shave Their Legs and Underarms -

We all know the power of advertising. At the turn of the century, for example, the South African Diamond company, DeBeers, created the image that the diamond was forever and therefore would make an excellent wedding ring.

Another marketing campaign around this time convinced the women of North America to shave their body hair. Notably, women in the other parts of the world do not engage on masse in this ritual. Even in French Canada, the habit is not largely undertaken.

It all began with the May, 1915 edition of Harper's Bazaar magazine that featured a model sporting the latest fashion. She wore a sleeveless evening gown that exposed, for the first time in fashion, her bare shoulders, and her armpits.

A young marketing executive with the Wilkinson Sword Company, who also made razor blades for men, designed a campaign to convince the women of North America that:

(a) Underarm hair was unhygienic (b) It was unfeminine.

In two years, the sales of razor blades doubled as our grandmothers and great grandmothers made themselves conform to this socially constructed gender stereotype. This norm for North American women has been reinforced by several generations of daughters who role-modeled their mothers.

1920s - 1930s -

Popular female HOLLYWOOD MOVIE STARS in the United States are shaving off their eyebrows with razors, plucking, or using depilatory formulas to get a hair-free face. They then "draw" very thin brows back on the face with an eyebrow pencil. Later, these eyebrows will begin to look exaggerated, unnatural and alien-like, especially when seen on a black and white movie screen. Like the brows of actor GROUCHO MARX, who completely shaves his face and eyebrows before drawing them back on with a black grease pencil in rather unusual shapes.

1921 -

U.S. Army LT. COL. JACOB SCHICK is so inspired by the military’s repeating rifle, he invents a new type of razor called the MAGAZINE REPEATING RAZOR, which has replacement razor blades stored inside its handle. Users can change out an old blade without ever touching the new blade’s surface, thanks to Schick’s clever design. Blades for this razor were purchased in clips, which were inserted with ease into the razor. Schick also begins to develop his INJECTOR RAZOR, which would become an extremely popular shaver in the years to come.

1925 -

COL. SCHICK establishes a company called MAGAZINE REPEATING RAZORS to manufacture his product.

1926 -

COL. SCHICK begins marketing to the public his MAGAZINE REPEATING RAZOR in the U.S.

1927 -

COL. SCHICK invents the World’s first electric dry shaver, with oscillating blades.

1928 -

COL. SCHICK sells the assets of MAGAZINE REPEATING RAZORS to AMERICAN CHAIN & CABLE COMPANY so he can obtain capital and financing for production of his electric dry shaver.

1929 -

COL. SCHICK’S first electric dry shaver is finally available for purchase by consumers. This innovative shaver uses a small motor to move the blades. Unfortunately, the general public is not all that crazy about buying and using it.

1929 - 1948 -

Mechanical and electrical engineer ALEXANDRE HOROWITZ goes to work for the PHILIPS COMPANY in Eindhoven, Holland (Netherlands). There, he develops numerous products for the company, like the famous PHILISHAVE ELECTRIC RAZOR, the first double-headed shaver. Over 50 years, HOROWITZ obtained 136 patents for his ideas.

1930 -

WILLIS SHOCKEY'S spring razor is still remains the #1 automatic shaver seller on the market. COL. SCHICK incorporates his business as SCHICK DRY SHAVER, INC.

1930s -

In the U.S., women are buying specially manufactured "MACHO" SHAVING PRODUCTS for men because most guys still think that fussing over their appearance is still a sissy thing to do. However, most after-shave powders and creams purchased for men are used, which will launch a whole new revolution for shaving products and toiletries. In both Europe and the U.S., women are now WAXING their bodies to remove hair.

1931 -

COL. SCHICK finally obtains a U.S. patent for his World’s first electric dry shaver.

1935 -

Due to increasing health problems, COL. SCHICK moves to Canada.

1936 -

SUNBEAM introduces its SHAVEMASTER electric shaver.

1937 -

COL. SCHICK dies after a kidney operation; his wife FLORENCE and two daughters survive him.

1939 - 1945: WORLD WAR II -

In Europe, FREDERICK PHILIPS of the PHILIPS COMPANY in Eindhoven, Holland begins to market the PHILISHAVE ELECTRIC RAZOR, the first double headed shaver. During this time, Philips also spends years being coerced in having to deal with, hide from and elude the Nazis while keeping well-groomed every day with Philips' two-headed electric shaver.

1940s: WORLD WAR II -

In the U.S., some women are painfully removing hair from their bodies by rubbing sandpaper all over their legs and underarms, due to severe domestic materials shortages caused by the war.

1940 -

SCHICK DRY SHAVER is incorporated in Delaware as RAINBOW, INC.

1940 -

America’s most successful depilatory lotion, NAIR, is developed with the powerful ingredient calcium hioglycolate, which destroys the protein structure of hair, reducing its texture and strength. It smells funny, too.

1946 -

RAINBOW, INC. changes its business name to SCHICK, INC.

1960 -

GILLETTE safety razors with long lasting stainless steel blades hit the U.S. market. Later, other inexpensive injector-type cartridges and disposable razors become available.

1960s -70s -

DISPOSABLE RAZORS, which can neither be sharpened or replaced, hit the market for both men and women. They are to be used 2-3 times, then thrown away. Numerous manufacturers economically design them in simple shapes, which make them inexpensive to produce and sell.

1971 -

GILLETTE begins to aggressively market a new twin-blade razor on a wide scale, even though there have been similar razors available since the 1930s.

1978 -

American entrepreneur VICTOR KIAM decides that his REMINGTON ELECTRIC SHAVER is soooo cool, he buys the whole company. He then stars himself in numerous national TV commercials to promote this fact.

1979 -

SCHICK, INC. closes its U.S. manufacturing plant.

1981 -

Europe’s PHILIPS DAP and its NORELCO division in the U.S. take over SCHICK, INC.'S manufacturing and trademark rights, then establish domestic headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

1995 -

HERBIE McNINCH of Houston, Texas decides he’s sick and tired of having to spend so much time shaving his face every day. He gets an idea to create a double-headed wet shave razor, like two razors in one. The handle of this shaver would fork in two at the end so two razor blade cartridges could be loaded onto each side. He develops a prototype for this razor from wood, and begins his search for a manufacturer.

1996 -

Calling his new razor the QUIK SHAVE™ RAZOR, clever McNINCH obtains a U.S. patent. He is finally able to produce several aluminum prototypes of the shaver. McNINCH'S wife DORIS decides that the razor is the greatest women’s shaving product ever and gives some as gifts to female friends; they all agree with her.

1997 -

The QUIK SHAVE™ RAZOR becomes available on a worldwide scale, thanks to basic Internet marketing with McNINCH'S Web site. He also kicks off a television and print media advertising campaigns to market the razor.

1998 - 2002

Quik Shave is reviewed in Glamour, McCalls, in newspapers,and on TV talk shows. Quik Shave enters into about 30 stores east Texas for a test market

2003 -

Quik Shave gears up for mass production of their new plastic razor, and begins setting up distributors.

Quickshave

Hair removal: definitons, methods, reasons...

Hair removal describes any method of removing hair, especially from the human body.




* Depilation affects the part of the hair above the surface of the skin. The most common form of depilation is shaving. Another popular option is the use of chemical depilatories, which work by breaking the disulfide bonds that link the protein chains that give hair its strength, making the hair disintegrate.

* Epilation removal of the entire hair, including the part below the skin and is therefore longer-lasting. Some individuals may use waxing, sugaring, epilation devices, lasers, threading, intense pulsed light or electrology. Hair is also sometimes removed by plucking with tweezers.

Contents
[hide]

* 1 Reasons for removing hair
o 1.1 Medical reasons
o 1.2 Social, cultural, or sexual reasons
o 1.3 Male-to-female gender reassignment
o 1.4 For religious reasons
o 1.5 In military institutions
o 1.6 As punishment
* 2 Body areas where hair is often removed
* 3 Hair removal methods
o 3.1 Temporary
o 3.2 Permanent
o 3.3 Experimental or banned, currently not available
o 3.4 Doubtful methods
* 4 Advantages and disadvantages
o 4.1 Health risks
* 5 See also
* 6 References
* 7 External links

[edit] Reasons for removing hair

Hair removal has been practised for centuries in almost all human cultures. The methods used vary among times and regions, but shaving is the most common method.

[edit] Medical reasons

In Ancient Egypt, many people depilated their entire bodies to prevent infestation by lice, fleas, and other parasites.

Patients' body hair was once shaved before surgery for reasons of hygiene; however, this turned out to be counterproductive [1] and, as a result, in many hospitals patients are no longer shaved. The shaving of hair has sometimes been used in attempts to eradicate lice or to minimize body odor due to accumulation of odor-causing micro-organisms in hair. Some people with trichiasis find it medically necessary to remove ingrown eyelashes. Incorrect shaving (shaving against the grain) can often cause ingrown hairs.

Many forms of cancer require chemotherapy, which often causes severe and irregular hair loss. For this reason, it is common for cancer patients to shave their heads even before starting chemotherapy.

[edit] Social, cultural, or sexual reasons
A female body devoid of bodily hair, combined with luxuriant tresses was a 19th-century theme: Birth of Venus by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1879.
A female body devoid of bodily hair, combined with luxuriant tresses was a 19th-century theme: Birth of Venus by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, 1879.

Hair is normally removed for social and sexual reasons related to the social role of hair in human society. Many cultures have an aesthetic "ideal" amount of hair for males and females. People whose hair violates such standards may experience real or perceived problems with social acceptance.

Many men in Western cultures shave their facial hair, so only a minority of men have a beard, even though fast-growing facial hair must be shaved daily to achieve a clean-shaven or hairless look. Some men shave because they cannot grow a "full" beard (generally defined as an even density from cheeks to neck), because beard color is different from scalp hair color, or because it grows in many directions, making a groomed look difficult. Some men shave because their beards are very coarse, causing itchiness and irritation. Some men grow a beard from time to time to change their appearance.

In many cultures, particularly North American and Western European, it became increasingly common during the 20th century [1] for women to remove some or all of their body hair, due to societal values that consider it unattractive and/or not feminine (see gender role), or as a matter of practising good hygiene. Women may also remove some or all of their pubic hair for aesthetic or sexual reasons. Adult film stars are well known for this practice. Men may also practice this, but not as commonly. In a sexual context, pubic hair removal is done to increase visual exposure of the genitalia and/or facilitate access to the genital area by removing the barrier of hair.

Some women in Western cultures choose not to remove hair from their bodies as an act of defiance against what they believe to be an oppressive ritual. Others choose not to remove hair simply because they have no desire to.

Some men shave their heads, either as a fashion statement, to cover up male pattern baldness, or to attain enhanced cooling of the skull (particularly for people suffering from hyperhidrosis). A much smaller number of women also shave their heads as fashion or political statements.

Some women also shave their heads for cultural or social reasons. In India, tradition requires widows to shave their heads as part of being ostracized, although the practice is considered a rural one and the government is working to end the practice of ostracizing widows.[2]

In art paintings or carvings from ancient times, one can often see women portrayed with no pubic hair: pubic hair was linked to sexual acts and desires in the general mindset, and thus it was deemed improper and impure in a public painting. This may have influenced aesthetic views regarding the matter as well.[3]

[edit] Male-to-female gender reassignment

Male-to-Female Transsexual women who are preparing for Genital Reassignment Surgery (GRS) usually remove their facial beard hair, typically either by electrolysis or laser, or a combination of the two procedures. While this is commonly done entirely before surgery, some patients will start the procedure before surgery, and finish a few months to several years afterwards, often due to cost.

In addition, it is recommended by some surgeons that part of the pubic hair be removed prior to surgery as well, usually by electrolysis. Since the neovagina is created using the skin of the penis and part of the scrotum, which usually has active follicles, the hair is removed from these areas prior to surgery, in order for the genitals to be fashioned without the concern of hair growth inside of the neovagina. In some cases, the surgeon scrapes the underside of the skin to remove the follicles at or near the beginning of the surgery, eliminating any need for pre-surgical hair removal.

[edit] For religious reasons

Head-shaving is a part of some Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Jain and Hindu traditions. Buddhist and Christian monks generally undergo some form of head-shaving during their ordination; in Thailand monks shave their eyebrows as well. Brahmin children have their heads ritualistically shaved before beginning school.

In some parts of the Theravada Buddhist world, it is common practice to shave the heads of children. Weak or sickly children are often left with a small topknot of hair, to gauge their health and mark them for special treatment. When health improves, the lock is cut off.

The Bahá'í religion explicitly prohibits head-shaving. In Judaism, the shaving of certain parts of the head (peot) using a metal blade against the skin is forbidden, however, electric razors may be used, since the actual cutting blade never touches the skin. Sikhs take an even stronger stance, opposing all forms of hair removal. One of the Sikh "Five Ks" is Kesh, meaning "uncut hair". To Sikhs, the maintenance and management of long hair is a manifestation of one's piety.

Muslim law (Sharia) puts hair in three categories: that which it is recommended to remove (pubic and armpit hair), that which it is recommended to keep (the beard), and that which is the object of limited recommendation (foot, hand, back, and chest hair). Removal of armpit and pubic hair is a hygienic practice which was taught by Muhammad and which was enumerated as having been part of practices conforming to man's premortal (Fitrah) nature. On the other hand, shaving or removing part of the eyebrows is forbidden as the "modification of the creation of Allah and obedience to Satan in his work to fool men and bring them to modify the creation of Allah." Stray hairs between the eyebrows may be removed, but not the hairs of the eyebrows. A male may trim or cut hair on his head — however shaving of the head is forbidden in some branches of the religion. A male may trim hair on the chest and back but may not remove it, as this is considered to be imitating women. In contrast, women are permitted to remove hair from these areas.[4]

[edit] In military institutions

A close-cropped or completely shaven haircut is common in military organizations. In field environments, soldiers are susceptible to infestation of lice, ticks, and fleas. Also, due to hectic operations schedules, time allowed for personal hygiene and grooming is highly curtailed or even absent. The practice serves to cultivate a group oriented environment through the process of removing exterior signs of individuality. In addition short hair is also more difficult for an enemy to grab hold of in hand to hand combat. In many militaries, head-shaving is mandatory for males upon induction training. However, even after the initial recruitment phase, when head-shaving is no longer required, many soldiers maintain a completely or partially shaven hairstyle (such as a "high and tight", "flattop" or "buzz cut") for personal convenience and an exterior symbol of military solidarity. Head-shaving is not required of females in military service, although they must have their hair cut or tied to regulation length.

In one dramatic scene in the movie "G.I. Jane", Lt Jordan O'Neill (Demi Moore), who is determined to get into an elite commando unit, sneaks into the base barbershop after hours and shears off her thick black hair with an electric clipper, then shaves her head completely bald. This is apparently to show her determination to face any challenge that male commando-trainees must face; it is also a mark of solidarity with the group she wants to join. She is explicitly giving up any expectation of chivalrous treatment by men.

Many military organizations also require males to maintain clean-shaven faces because facial hair can prevent an air-tight seal between the face and breathing or safety equipment, such as a pilot's oxygen mask, a diver's mask, or a soldier's gas mask. However, the concerns of personal hygiene may also apply as above.

Alternatively, Foreign Legion Sappers have traditionally worn beards as a sign of their rank and experience, similarly the Imperial Guard of the Grande Armee were allowed to grow beards as a sign of their prized position. European armies before (and to some extent during) the Napoleonic wars allowed soldiers to grow and lacquer pigtails, sometimes held in place by bone combs or regimental colour ribbons or bows. In the pre-Napoleonic era, the wearing of wigs, even within the ranks was commonplace, though impractical in such places as India and the Americas. Selous Scouts, once through training and induction, were expressly forbidden from cutting their hair in any way that might indicate that they were soldiers, allowing them to engage in anti-insurgency warfare amongst the rural population of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Tolerance of Sikh religious beliefs with regards to hair and beards has for some time been commonplace in most armies of former British colonies.

[edit] As punishment

In some situations, people's hair is shaved as a punishment. Before World War II, the Nazis would cut off the beards of Jews as a prelude to other forms of abuse.

After World War II, head-shaving was a common punishment in France, The Netherlands, and Norway for women who had collaborated with the Nazis during the occupation, and, in particular, for women who had "collaborated" sexually. [5]

During the Vietnam War, conservative students would sometimes attack student radicals or "hippies" by shaving beards or cutting long hair. One notorious incident occurred at Stanford University, when unruly fraternity members grabbed Resistance founder (and student-body president) David Harris, cut off his long hair, and shaved his beard.

In Arab countries, shaving off head-hair is sometimes used to shame and humiliate male prisoners.

[edit] Body areas where hair is often removed
Body hair on an unusually hirsute male
Body hair on an unusually hirsute male

Hair grows on all areas of the human body except for the palms of the hands, the lips, certain areas of the genital structure and the soles of the feet. But hair is most noticeable in most people in a small number of areas that are most commonly waxed, trimmed, plucked, or shaved: namely, the

* Abdomen
* Armpits
* Back
* Chest
* Eyebrows
* Eyelashes
* Face
* Legs
* Head
* Pubic Area

[edit] Hair removal methods

Many products on the market have proven fraudulent. Many other products exaggerate the results or ease of use.

[edit] Temporary

"Depilation", or removal of hair to the level of the skin, lasts several hours to several days and can be achieved by

* Shaving or trimming (manually or with electric shavers)
* Depilatories (creams or "shaving powders" which chemically dissolve hair)
* Friction (rough surfaces used to buff away hair)

"Epilation", or removal of the entire hair from the root, lasts several days to several weeks and can be achieved by

* Plucking (hairs are plucked, or pulled out, with tweezers or with fingers)
* Waxing (a hot or cold layer is applied and then removed with porous strips)
* Sugaring (similar to waxing, but with a sticky paste)
* Threading (also called fatlah or khite, in which a twisted thread catches hairs as it is rolled across the skin)
* Epilators (mechanical devices that rapidly grasp hairs and pull them out)

[edit] Permanent

Permanent hair removal involves several imperfect options. A number of methods have been developed that use chemicals, energy of varying types, or a combination to target the areas that regulate hair growth. Permanently destroying these areas while sparing surrounding tissue is a difficult challenge. Methods include:

* Electrolysis
* Laser
* Intense Pulsed Light (Flashlamp, EpiLight) The terms IPL and EpiLight are trademarks of Lumenis Ltd.
* Prescription oral medications
* Enzymes that inhibit the development of new hair cells. Hair growth will become less and less until it finally stops; normal depilation/epilation will be performed until that time. Products include the prescription drug Vaniqa (active ingredient eflornithine hydrochloride inhibiting the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase).

[edit] Experimental or banned, currently not available

* X-ray hair removal This method was an efficient, and usually permanent, hair removal method, but also caused severe health problems, occasional disfigurement, and even death.[6] (illegal in the United States)
* Photodynamic therapy for hair removal (experimental)

[edit] Doubtful methods

Many methods have been proposed or sold over the years without published clinical proof they can work as claimed.

* Electric tweezers
* Transdermal electrolysis
* Transcutaneous hair removal
* Photoepilators
* Microwaves
* Foods and Dietary supplements
* Nonprescription topical preparations (also called "hair inhibitors," "hair retardants," or "hair growth inhibitors")

[edit] Advantages and disadvantages

There are several disadvantages to many of these hair removal methods. Many are not permanent, can cause medical problems, or have very high costs. Some of these methods are still in the testing phase and their methods have not been clinically proven. One should seek the advice of a doctor-supervised facility when choosing these hair removal methods.

One issue, that can be considered an advantage or a disadvantage depending upon an individual's viewpoint, is that removing hair has the effect of removing information about the individual's hair growth patterns due to genetic predisposition, illness, androgen levels (such as from pubertal hormonal imbalances or drug side effects), and/or gender status.

[edit] Health risks

A variety of staph infection, known as "community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus" (MRSA), was identified following an outbreak among gay men in Los Angeles in 2003. Among the risk factors for transmission of the infection identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is "compromised skin integrity." Researchers with the Connecticut Department of Public Health determined that "manscaping" (hair removal, especially performed with a dry safety razor and powder) could produce micro-abrasions of the skin, compromising its integrity. Men who manscaped were six times more likely to contract the disease. This drug-resistant strain of S. aureus has been found prevalently among gay and bisexual men, athletes, prisoners and Native Americans.

Wikipedia

Trimming & Shaving of the Pubic Hair

The practice of trimming and shaving the pubic hair appears to be gaining in popularity. I do not know how wide spread this practice is, but it is popular amongst women in some segments of American society. This practice is nothing new, women of many societies and cultures have in the past, and in present day, removed or trimmed their pubic hair. Some cultures considered pubic hair totally unacceptable on women, or both men and women. There is not a place on this planet where at least some portion of the native female population has not trimmed or removed their pubic hair.

The likely reason why so many societies adopted the practice is personal hygiene. Those of us who live in modern cities often forget most of the world's population does not have running water in their homes or access to clean water to bathe in. While a woman with pubic hair is not unhealthy or unclean, removal of her pubic hair often makes personal hygiene easier. This is because the natural body fluids that a woman's body produces can collect in the hair, especially menstrual blood. It takes less water and is easier to care for the vulva when these fluids cannot dry and adhere to the surrounding pubic hair. American and European women who remove their pubic hair today, even though they have access to running water in their homes, often report they find it easier to keep their vulva clean, and they often feel drier during their daily activities. This is particularly true during their menstrual period. It is unlikely so many cultures would adopt this practice, for men and women, if there were not some benefit.

What purpose does pubic hair serve? While it can protect the delicate vulvar tissues its primary purpose today is seen as decorative. If pubic hair had a major biological purpose, all women would have it, which is not the case. Women of some racial groups naturally have little or no pubic hair. They do not seem to suffer as a result. Some feel pubic hair serves to collect a woman's scent, so potential partners can check to see if she is ready for sex, to reproduce. Since it is not appropriate to smell the genitals of our mates to see if they are in the mood, and since we can no longer detect their scent at any distance, this function has been lost to evolution. Pubic hair often serves more of a social function than a biological one.

Pubic hair is often seen as a symbol of womanhood. A woman has pubic hair, a girl does not. A woman may feel more womanly knowing she has pubic hair. A girl may want pubic hair so she can call herself a woman. Some women who trim and shave their pubic hair always leave at least a small patch of hair so everyone will know she is a woman and not a girl. Many women following abdominal surgery mention how they disliked the appearance of their shaven vulva, because it reminded them of a little girl's, not a woman's. Women often base their adult identity on the presence of developed breasts and pubic hair. These are social definitions of womanhood, not biological ones. As mentioned above, some women naturally do not have pubic hair, does this mean they are less womanly? In addition, body hair is often associated with masculinity. If a woman has a lot of pubic hair is she more womanly or masculine? Social ideals can be pretty confusing and unrealistic.

Body hair on women has come to serve a political purpose in Western society. Since women usually remove their body hair because of social pressures and expectations, and men are seen to control society, some feminists felt women could gain more control over their lives and send a message by not removing their body hair. Some feminists preached that a modern emancipated woman would never remove her body hair. To be free she had to let her body hair grow freely. Any woman who did shave was a slave to society and particularly men. While this concept is perhaps based on fact, it overlooked one major factor that feminist were seeking to gain, freedom for the individual woman. So instead of a woman doing as society as a whole expected of her, she had to do what her social group or her own sex required of her. She had no freedom to choose what was right for her based on her own situation. Whether a woman has body hair or pubic hair should be the result of her own personal decision. Even so, social pressure will always play a part in her decision.

Even in cultures where it is considered normal and acceptable for women to have body hair, some women still prefer to remove it all. This seems to be true in many European countries. Some women who remove their pubic hair grew up in a society where body hair was the norm, unlike much of American society. This seems to show the desire to remove one's body hair is not completely the cause of social conditioning, and can simply be the result of personal preference.

Since pubic hair is seen as a symbol of womanhood, women who remove their pubic hair are sometimes seen as less womanly, as having a girlish attribute. She is more girl than woman. As such, a "normal" man or woman should not find her sexually attractive. The only persons that did would have to be sexually attracted to preadolescent girls, a pedophile. While shaving your pubic hair can make you appear more youthful, it does not make you younger or look like a child. An adult woman without pubic hair is not going to be mistaken for a five-year-old girl. A pedophile is not likely to prefer a shaven woman to a child as they often cannot relate to adult women and as a result cannot develop a sexual relationship with them. Some pedophiles are simply opportunist and will use any female they can, regardless of the their age or physical appearance. A man or woman who prefers a partner to remove their pubic hair is not automatically a pedophile. They may just prefer it for the reasons given below. It really is no different from preferring short brown hair instead of long blonde hair.

A woman may not like having pubic hair since she did not as a child. A young girl who never sees adult women naked may believe they too do not have pubic hair. If the only examples of adult female bodies she sees are those of her "adult" dolls that have neither pubic hair nor genitals, this too can lead her to the same conclusion. Some girls who know that adult women have pubic hair prefer their hairless vulva and are not the least bit excited about the idea of growing pubic hair themselves. Girls often see getting pubic hair as a sign of growing up and becoming a woman, some girls are a bit fearful of these changes and are happy being a girl and do not want to be a woman. It is for these reasons that some teenage girls starting shaving their pubic hair as soon as it starts growing and why some adult women dislike or even hate having pubic hair.

As a result of childhood experiences men and women may develop a preference for sexual partners who do not have pubic hair. As a result of childhood exploration and sex play boys and girls may come to expect that no one has pubic hair. It is not unusual for a child to see pubic hair as unattractive. Even if a child knows their parents have pubic hair, they may not be able to envision themselves or their playmates with pubic hair later in life. They may not be able to comprehend how their body can change to be like that of their parents. For these reasons I would not consider it abnormal for an adult to prefer that they and/or their partner not to have pubic hair. If a person's first sexual partner(s), during childhood, did not have pubic hair, why cannot they all be that way?

There can be many sexual benefits to trimming one's pubic hair, even if one does not remove it in its entirety. Pubic hair when long and thick can completely obscure a woman's genitals and create a barrier between her and her genitals. A woman who trims or shaves her pubic hair becomes more aware of her genitals and sexuality. A woman, or teenager, will likely develop a pretty intimate relationship with her genitals as a result of trimming or shaving her pubic hair. For starters, it requires them to look at their vulva, often on a regular basis. Something they perhaps could not do as a child and do not do as an adult. As a result of their increased awareness they come to know their anatomy better and learn to like and appreciate their genitals more. They may come to realize that there is more to their genitals than a patch of hair and a hole, a vagina. Many women are amazed by the softness and complexity of their genitals. These sexual benefits have no bearing on a woman's partner or their partner's personal preference. A teen who has never had a sexual partner is just as likely to benefit as is a thirty five year old woman who has had twenty partners. It is for these reasons that others and I encourage all women to trim their pubic hair short at least once in adulthood, but this should not be seen as a requirement. On the other hand, if a woman does not like having short pubic hair, it grows back.

Having short or no pubic hair can have its advantages during partner sex. First your partner may prefer it and find it sexually stimulating. As a result they find you more desirable. A woman's partner may prefer to be able to see what they are about to lick with their tongue and insert their fingers or penis into. A thick growth of pubic hair may obscure one's view of a woman's genitals and cause you to be curious or even fearful of what lies behind. Women who like oral sex often find it more enjoyable when their sensitive skin is directly exposed to their partner's tongue and not protected by a layer of hair. Their partner also does not have to worry about getting hair in their mouth. Some women like to shave because of sexual roles they act out, the naughty schoolgirl, the submissive slave, or the seductive flasher. The trimming and shaving of the pubic hair is just one way of enhancing sex, solo and with a partner.

While I encourage women to consider trimming or shaving their pubic hair, there are valid reasons for them not to. If a woman does not perceive she will benefit or feels that she cannot, she probably will not. A woman has to be curious and open minded if she is notice any benefits from this practice. While some women trim or shave at the request of their partner and find they too love it, this is not always the case.

It seems it is not uncommon a woman's partner to ask repeatedly that she shave or trim her pubic hair. Some literally beg. I think many women see this as a deviant request. Many women may believe their partner wants them to look like a little girl. Others do not understand why their partner does not accept them the way they are. While it is not appropriate for a woman's partner to pressure her into changing her pubic hair, it is important to remember that it is just hair, it grows back if you do not like the new look and sensations. This is certainly a situation where partners can compromise. A woman can trim versus shave. She can request that her partner does the same as she does. If she trims so do they, if she shaves, they shave. While I respect a woman's choice, I do not think women should associate any more importance to this activity than it warrants, and the same goes for her partner. A woman still has the right to say no, and her partner needs to accept her decision whatever it is.

While all women can trim their pubic hair, shaving may be impractical for some. If you have a lot of pubic hair that extends along your thighs and up to your navel, shaving just your pubic area may look peculiar. If you remove it all, that is a lot of work and probably is not worth the effort. Some women with coarse pubic hair may find it uncomfortable or painful to shave and that their skin is always irritated. Even if a woman chooses to shave she may find it does not work for her, even if she likes the look and feel. Only trial and error will tell.

For women who just want to trim their pubic hair there are no special techniques or skills required. A comb and a pair of scissors are all the tools needed. An electric or battery operated beard trimmer can come in handy as then you can quickly trim the hair to a uniform length. There is probably less of a chance of an accidental nick or cut if you do use one. Touch ups take only seconds. A woman can slowly trim her hair shorter and shorter until she finds a look she likes. She can use a beard trimmer to remove all her hair if she chooses without actually shaving. This is perhaps a wise choice for the beginner since it does not cut the hair below the skin line. While you won't look or feel baby smooth, you will for all practical purposes be shaven. Beard trimmers can be acquired in department stores in the USA for less than $20, for a battery operated one. A wise investment for any woman serious about trimming or shaving her pubic hair.

Shaving can be a bumpy road for the beginner. Women often complain about the resulting irritation and itching that occurs. Women hearing other women's accounts of what happened to them often are reluctant to shave themselves, understandably. The likely cause for these adverse side affects is doing too much too soon. The first time shaver often goes from a full bush to baby soft in a single session. This is pretty hard on the delicate tissues of the vulva. The skin just is not use to the irritations associated with shaving. Any woman who decides to shave needs to acknowledge that it won't be a risk free adventure. Many of the women who shave say it took time for their bodies to get use to shaving and for them to figure out a shaving technique that worked best for them. While some women may find they are able to shave without difficulty, I believe most women are not so lucky. It is for this reason a woman should only shave if she is sure she wants to and is willing to experiment and tolerate some mild discomfort in the beginning. This is not something a woman should do if she sees it only as a one-time event. If they do, it had better be a very special event to justify the discomfort they will likely experience afterwards.

The clitoris