Blog Post For Laura Skin Care Petaluma, CA

Bikini Wax or Shave? Making the Choice

Laura Pagliaroni Waxing Aug 18, 2015 Comments Off

Every woman knows the struggle of figuring out how to get her bikini area ready for summer. As the warm weather approaches and it’s time to hit the beach, the only thing that stands between you and that perfect swimsuit is unsightly hair “down there” – and you know that you have to get rid of it. Thankfully, there are numerous methods at your disposal, many of them easy and cost-effective remedies that you can do yourself at home. Among these, waxing and shaving are the two most popular methods of removing hair from the bikini area, but despite their similar function, these two processes are almost entirely different. Deciding which to use comes with understanding the difference and knowing the pros and cons of each, so that you can choose whichever one works better with your lifestyle.

Shaving uses a sharp razor to cut the hair at the layer of the skin, leaving the hair root; thus, the hair can still grow and is not “removed”, only trimmed. Waxing, on the other hand, uses a sticky wax to pull the hair out by the root; in the bikini area, waxing is usually done without strips, using a wax that cools quickly so that you can apply it when it’s soft and tear it off once it has solidified somewhat.

The benefits of shaving are primarily ease and lack of pain; using a razor means that simply a few swipes can remove most of the hair you want to target, and that this can be done without feeling any pain (since the hair is just cut, not pulled out, you don’t feel anything during the process). Furthermore, it is generally easier to shape the hair in the bikini area when using a razor rather than wax. However, in many cases shaving can cause itchy and swollen bumps in the pubic area due to the sensitivity of the skin; this discomfort turns many people off from the idea of shaving. Furthermore, shaving only cuts the hair short, so it regrows within 3-4 days and has to be shaved again. And shaving frequently over a long period of time is not recommended because it can cause ingrown hairs and other damaging effects.

Waxing, on the other hand, is sometimes avoided due to pain concerns. Pulling hair out by the root causes a stinging and burning sensation and can leave temporary redness in the area. However, the effects last much longer because the hair is fully removed, and thus takes 3-4 weeks to fully grow back. Ultimately, waxing is recommended for those with more sensitive skin, while shaving can be used by those who can tolerate the irritation it leaves behind (or avoid the irritation by using lotions and oils).

Is Your Skin Ready For Summer?

Laura Pagliaroni Skin Care Jun 09, 2015 Comments Off

As the weather warms and the beaches beckon, it’s natural to want to go outside and take advantage of the good weather. Whether this means donning that seldom-worn bikini or exchanging jeans for shorts, summer means that you’ll be showing a lot more skin than during other seasons in the year. Unfortunately, many times you encounter a barrier to your perfect outdoor summer: your skin just isn’t ready. Before you go outside, there are five questions to ask yourself to see if your skin is ready for summer:

Do you suffer from acne?

Acne, or the presence of clogged pores that results in redness, blackheads, or pus-filled bumps, can often be a significant sign that your skin isn’t ready for you to show it off just yet. During summer, it is most commonly found on the back and upper arms, and results from the collection of sweat, dirt, and oil that accumulates due to increased heat. The solution is to shower often, exfoliate, and use a topical medication if necessary.

Is your skin dry and flaky?

If you live in an area where it gets hot but not humid in the summer, you’ll need to apply a moisturizer cream to make sure that your skin doesn’t show signs of flakiness or cracking. This is most often found on the legs and arms, as well as on the face. Moisturizers come in many different varieties, but it helps to look for one specifically meant for dry and flaky skin.

Is your skin dull and scaly?

Dull skin results from the accumulation of dead skin cells on the outer layer of skin, a problem that causes a scaly effect at times. To solve this problem, exfoliation, or the removal of dead cells and other matter through an abrasive movement, is key – you can use an exfoliating wash, or a tool such as a shower loofah, which rubs away the dead cells. Make sure to use moisturizer after exfoliating, to reduce the risk of dry skin.

Are you at risk of sunburn?

Prolonged exposure to the sun, especially its ultraviolet radiation (which is stronger in the summer), can lead to sunburn and, in more serious cases, to skin cancers including melanoma. If you have fair skin, live in a hot and sunny climate, or have a family history of skin cancer, take precautions such as wearing a high-SPF sunscreen and covering up with long sleeves and hats.

Do you get rashes or irritation?

This may be the result of allergens present in the air during spring and summer – anything from pollen to insects may cause allergic reactions that lead to redness, swelling, itching, and/or unsightly bumps. The first step to taking care of this is uncovering the source; from there, you can apply bug spray, anti-itch cream, or oral medication as necessary.

Does Waxing Cause Wrinkles?

Laura Pagliaroni Waxing Mar 12, 2015 Comments Off

Waxing Cause Wrinkles It is no secret that from the time our titles change from young lady to woman, we start finding ways to make our skin look its best and avoid any signs of aging. Going to skin care clinics or spas become a weekly ritual rather than something to do once in a blue moon to treat ourselves. One of the concerns women have during the aging process is the appearance of wrinkles. We do our best to avoid getting wrinkles like spending hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars over the course of our lives on anti-aging products.

Among the many services we partake in weekly to upkeep ourselves is waxing. Many women prefer this method of hair removal because it is said to last longer than shaving and it avoids the possibility of growing a 5 o’clock shadow on your face which is emasculating. However, is it possible that waxing can cause wrinkles over time? There are many myths and blogs circling the internet that state that the pulling of hair from the skin may cause wrinkling over time. It’s even stated that waxing may remove the moisture from your lips when the wax is lifted from the skin. While it’s true that hydration plays a role in preserving your skin, it is not true that wax removes moisture from the skin.

Wrinkles are creases that generate on our skin over time as we age and they can begin to appear on our skin for numerous reasons. According to Medical News Today, the first wrinkles start to appear on our faces as a result of facial expressions, sun damage, smoking, dehydration, and even some medications. There are also a number of other factors that cause them to develop and while we can’t escape them, we can surely do our best to maintain our skin and do what we can to avoid them from appearing earlier than need be, like not smoking and keeping a healthy diet. For more information on what causes wrinkles, click here.

Although we can’t escape these unwanted lines from forming, there are also genetic factors which play a role into how soon they start to appear and how many form over time. Among the factors that exist about the cause of wrinkles, there is no scientific proof that waxing can also be one of the causes of wrinkles starting to appear on your skin. Waxing is one of the safest and most common forms of hair removal.

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