Did you know that hair removal is now a billion dollar industry? The benefits of facial waxing have received such widespread attention that it’s become a huge trend in the beauty industry.
Facial waxing for women has been getting massive attention. It’s one of those delicate beauty issues that has tormented women for centuries. While not all products are good for facial use, some are gentle enough for upper lip hair or chin hair removal.
The hair removal trend has risen quietly over the past few years because it taps into a core human need – to be desired and admired for more than your wit and charm.
There is a, um, sensual quality to relationships that too much hair in the wrong places can diminish. You know what I’m talkin’ about. As a woman, you may know how to feel beautiful in your own skin, but also delight in feeling bare skin on skin. Without getting too explicit, let’s just say that when it comes to intimacy, many couples wax for their other half to enhance their pleasure.
Although new products and innovative techniques have made hair removal easier than ever before — putting an end to the pain and torment women have experienced in trying to take care of unwanted hair on their own — this trend is not new. What’s different is that it has become increasingly popular in recent years because of the efficacy of hair removal procedures. In the 60’s, the idea of the “bikini line” was popular, and today hair removal in eyebrow and lip areas are inexpensive, more effective and often less painful.
Manscaping
The movement to becoming a less hairy society has also affected men, who are now more interested in grooming. For men, facial hair removal has not been as popular, although it would save a considerable amount of time grooming in the morning when they need to shave. What bothers men is excess body hair. In the U.S., this trend to remove unwanted hair has been nicknamed “manscaping” and is now a $4 billion dollar industry.
Hair removal services are not just popular among men who want to have a clean, polished torso, but also among hunky male athletes. Two examples are swimmers and bodybuilders. Top performing swimmers are always looking to shave a few seconds of their best times and many believe depilation increases their speed through the water. Whether or not this is true has probably not been taken seriously enough by scientists to measure.
Bodybuilders, too, utilize both facial waxing and body hair waxing. Since those who enter the top contests around the world spend countless hours chiseling the striations of their pectorals to perfection, it doesn’t make much sense hiding everything under a hairy chest. Similarly, a veneer of hair can tarnish the Grecian statue look of perfectly sculpted thighs and calves.
The desire to remove unsightly hair has probably been with our species for centuries. Although we don’t know Cleopatra’s beauty secrets, it’s hard to imagine she had a hairy upper lip or fuzz on her forearms.
What has changed: the whole process is far less painful. For instance, laser technology is not only painless but highly effective. A beam of light is directed straight into hair follicles to discourage growth. However, laser hair removal is closer to a medical procedure than something offered in a beauty salon. A Mayo Clinic article on laser hair removal offers the following precautions:
“If you’re interested in laser hair removal, choose a doctor who’s board certified in a specialty such as dermatology or cosmetic surgery and has experience with laser hair removal. If a physician’s assistant or licensed nurse will do the procedure, make sure a doctor supervises and is available on-site during the treatments. Be cautious about spas, salons or other facilities that allow nonmedical personnel to do laser hair removal.”
How Big Business Affects Consumers
The fact that hair removal has become a big business offers consumers many advantages. It’s become increasingly easier to find professionals to do a better job than you could on your own. Another advantage: competition will drive down prices. Finally, there is also a lot more science involved in the delicate art of hair removal. Society going forward is likely to invent even more ingenious methods for perfect self-care.
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You mentioned that this trend to remove unwanted hair has been nicknamed "manscaping" and is now a $4 billion dollar industry. Do most professionals prefer certain waxing supplies that are more efficient? My cousin has been working out a lot and really hates having a hairy chest. Finding some good waxing supplies might be a good idea for him.