So I’ve been wet shaving a long time and I’m pretty handy with a DE razor, a half hollow straight, and a shavette, but I’m at a loss for this one…
My wife is getting laser hair removal for several areas including Brazilian, and there are sone places she just can’t shave. Apparently a wax is no good because they are basically destroying the hair root and follicle and it targets the melanin?
So, to the point, my wife took a shower today and did her best, then I took a quick shot with my adjustable DE, but the results were… not so good. I think this may be a shavette problem for control, but I gotta see what I’m doing so a thick soap lather cushion is out. Also there’s some delicate contouring obviously which is pretty different from my leathery flat face.
The treatments are kinda pricey so it’s important to get a clean shave, and anything she can’t do is basically the most important stuff to zap… But I figure the first time I cut her or leave a nick I’m out. I gotta figure out the… uh… Front door back door problems because those are just not flat areas and the risk of failure or accident seems high.
Anybody got experience? Or ideas? Water-based lubricant was pretty decent (the third thing I tried) to help the shave, but tools and materials seem like important choices to make.
Edit: Mods I’d mark NSFW but idk how to do it. This is like my 3rd lemmy post ever.
Is she sure she wants to shave? There are those rolling tweezing things which I’ve never used and sound like mild torture, but pulling the hairs out by the roots usually leaves things bare for longer, and there’s no risk of getting cuts; plus, with such pliable skin in that area, it’s probably less challenging to shave.
Or, maybe an electric razor? There are also hair removal creams especially made for sensitive areas, and things like Cyperus Routundus and Oleum Cyperus oils. The linked NIH study says Cyperus Rotundus is as effective as Alexandrite laser.
I’d try a lot of things before I took a razor to my bits.
Well that’s the whole problem, it has to be shaved or else the hair treatment doesn’t work. Can’t be plucked or pulled. The laser works on the pigment of the hairs left in the follicles. Basically we gotta do 2 to 4 punishing but thorough shaves and then she’s (theoretically) free of the razor after that.
After I responded, I did some more reading. It looks like Cyperus rotundus is the way to go. It’s quite similar, though: waxing, threading, or tweezing, apply the oil thoroughly, and then daily until the next wax; repeat a couple of times, and Bob’s your Uncle. Same efficacy, except Alexandrite lasers work only on dark follicles, whereas Cyperus works on all follicles.
Once tried an Epilady. “Mild torture” doesn’t begin to describe the horror.
How bad was it, really? I’ve pulled plenty of individual hairs out with tweezers; some made my eyes water. If I were going to use an Epilady, I’d douse the area with numbing cream and go at it. It can’t be worse than waxing or tweezing, can it?
Am a guy, so my experience in this specific scenario is limited.
If Epilady is not acceptable, even with serious numbing, then I’d try the Cyperus Rotundus. The NIH report looked promising.
Imagine the pain of pulling an individual hair, then multiply that by dozens because it rips out dozens (or more) at a time.
I seriously doubt that any kind of numbing cream short of a full anesthetic would save you from the pain.
Good thing women have a higher tolerance for pain. Or so I’ve heard.
I don’t know. Women put up with a lot of painful stuff; threading doesn’t look like any fun, either. I guess it just depends on the individual.
For those not willing to do that, the Cyperus Rotundus oil looks encouraging.
People like threading because it’s far less painful and more accurate than waxing.
Isn’t it the same thing as tweezing? Pulling the hair out by the roots? Waxing is partially painful because you’re also irritating and pulling on the skin. It would seem that threading is closer to one of those rolling tweezers.
I guess my question is: if they’re both grabbing the hair at the base and yanking it out with the follicle, why is threading less painful?
Waxing also pulls off skin
Right! So, threading is less painful than waxing, and it’s clear why, but why is it less painful than those Epilady-style tweezing? Isn’t it doing the same thing?
You wouldn’t use an Epilady on your brows, probably. It seems like too inaccurate a tool; and maybe brows are less sensitive than groin-area skin. So, apples and oranges.
Does anyone even offer Brazilian threading?