One of the most common spa treatments is the removal of unwanted hair. Whether it’s through waxing, laser treatments, plucking, or something else, hair removal is a common treatment that spas everywhere offer every day. How long have people been doing this? We were curious so we spent a little time reading up and wrote a brief history of the practice of waxing to remove unwanted body hair.
The earliest known records of the practice can be found in ancient Egypt, where women would pumice skin to remove unwanted hair. A sticky substance, made primarily of honey, would be applied to the skin to bond to hairs. Later, Greeks and Romans also found body hair to be unattractive. They used creams and tweezers as the primary removal methods. Throughout the classical and middle ages paintings and drawings depict women removing hair, as well as being hairless – suggesting the practice never went out of vogue at any identifiable period.
The invention of a proper tool and method took quite some time, however. It wasn’t until the 1920s that Gillette finally introduced the first women’s razer. Women were encouraged to clean up their “objectionable” hair, and a nationwide anti-underarm hair campaign unfolded. Culture would largely dictate the trends of the following decades, particularly popular culture in America. During the 1940s a nylon shortage impacted the country, due to World War II. Women were thus encouraged to shave their legs and forego the leggings.
The 1960s saw the introduction of the bikini. This led to a cultural movement for women to remove body hair up to (and often including) the bikini line. Cultural preferences would come and go, and trends would change over time. Ultimately we would end up in a place where individual preferences largely drive your choice on the matter.
Right now our culture has come to be one where body hair removal is accepted, and in many circles encouraged. There are a variety of ways to go about it, and Laura’s Skin Care offers a variety of services depending on what you need done. We use Cirepil’s low-temperature waxing, ensuring the most comfortable waxing experience possible. This method is often 20-30 degrees cooler than comparable waxing services, leading to an overall more enjoyable experience.
Curious if waxing is the right solution for you? Call or scheduling an appointment with Laura Skincare in Petaluma today and ask. Our skincare professionals offer great advice based on years of hands on experience.