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wikiHow to Remove Hair Naturally

Five Methods:Shaving Your HairUsing Sugar WaxUsing Turmeric PasteUsing a Papaya MixtureUsing a Pumice StoneCommunity Q&A

There are a variety of hair removal methods on the market, some of which you can do yourself at home and others of which need to be done by a professional. If you are looking to find a more natural way of removing hair by yourself, there are a few methods that you can try. Many of these eliminate the use of harsh chemicals, but some are still slightly painful. Take care when trying any of these methods.

Shaving Your Hair

  1. 1
    Purchase an appropriate razor. Most razors come with an added moisture or lubricating strip. These strips tend to be loaded with chemicals and other ingredients—yes, razors have ingredients! However, you can find razors that are more natural.
    • Look for a razor that does not have the moisture strip. An alternative would be to purchase razors that have it and then peel or otherwise remove the strip yourself.[1]
  2. 2
    Buy a natural shaving cream or gel. Common store brands for shaving creams and gels are also full of chemicals and toxic products. Look for a more natural brand, or make it yourself.
    • Brands such as Dr. Bronner's, Garden of Eve, and Kiss My Face are known for making more natural shaving products.
    • For homemade shaving cream, you can simply use coconut oil or another carrier oil, like sweet almond oil or sesame oil. You can also look into homemade mixtures.[2]
  3. 3
    Wet the area that you would like to shave. There are some body parts that men and women commonly shave:
    • Women commonly shave their legs, underarms, and bikini areas. Some women also shave their arms.
    • Men commonly shave their beards, mustaches, and chests.
    • There are some reports that people should not shave certain areas, like their arms, because the hair will grow back faster and thicker. However, scientists have proven this to be untrue.[3]
  4. 4
    Apply the shaving cream or gel to the area to be shaved. In a thin layer, spread your shaving product over the body part you are shaving. Be sure you have enough to protect your skin from nicks and cuts, especially since your razor does not have a moisture strip.
  5. 5
    Shave the area carefully. Pull your razor up the body part that you are shaving in one long motion. Continue to do this repeatedly until you have shaved the entire area.
    • Frequently rinse the excess shaving product and shaved hair from your razor so that you get a clean, smooth shave all around.
    • Take your time and go slowly. You are more likely to get a shaving nick or cut whenever you rush and forget to take care on areas like your ankles and knees.
  6. 6
    Rinse your skin and check for missed spots. When you are done shaving the entire body part or area that you want shaved, rinse it and then check for any spots you missed while shaving. Dab a little bit of shaving cream or gel on that spot and touch it up carefully with the razor.
  7. 7
    Clean your razor. After you shave, run your razor under hot water. Meanwhile, brush both sides of the razor blade with a toothbrush to get off all of the shaving cream or gel and hair. This helps to keep your blade clean and sharper longer.[4]

Using Sugar Wax

  1. 1
    Buy or gather the ingredients needed for the sugar wax. This is a do-it-yourself method of waxing made with natural ingredients.[5] It is much cheaper than going to a salon to have the waxing done professionally.
    • Lemon juice (2 tablespoons)
    • Raw sugar (1 cup)
    • Water (2 tablespoons)
    • Non-GMO cornstarch or arrowroot powder
  2. 2
    Collect the materials you need to help you make the wax and do the waxing. Once you have all of your ingredients, you need to gather the materials that will help you to make it. You will also need materials to help you do your own waxing.[6]
    • Medium-sized cooking pot
    • Stainless steel bowl
    • 6” x 12” strips of cloth
  3. 3
    Add the lemon juice, sugar, and water to the cooking pot on the stovetop. Stir the ingredients together, and then slowly bring the mixture to a boil. Next, reduce the heat and simmer the mixture until it turns a golden color and becomes smooth.[7]
  4. 4
    Remove the mixture to the stainless steel bowl. When the wax is in the stainless steel bowl, allow it to cool for several minutes.[8]
    • The color may become darker as it cools.
  5. 5
    Wash the area you want to wax and prepare it for waxing. While the wax cools, you need to prepare the body part(s) you want to wax. Wash and exfoliate the area, which helps to remove dead skin cells prior to the waxing. Dry your body when you are done.[9]
    • Areas of the body you can wax yourself include legs and arms.[10] Waxing the bikini area, underarms, and facial areas are not recommended as the skin is more sensitive. See a professional if you would like these areas waxed.[11]
    • A family member or friend could do back or chest waxing at home for you, if that is something you would like done.[12]
  6. 6
    Sprinkle cornstarch or arrowroot powder over the area to be waxed. You do not need a lot of powder; just sprinkle a thin layer over the area.[13] This helps with the wax removal.
  7. 7
    Collect sugar wax in your hand, about as much as the equivalent size of a ping pong ball. Knead the wax until it is smooth, and then spread it on your body part.[14]
    • As you spread it on, always move in the direction of your hair growth. You should not apply it against the hair growth.
  8. 8
    Press a cloth strip onto the wax. Lay the cloth strip over the waxed area and press it down. You will need to wait a few moments for the wax to cool to your body temperature before removing it.[15]
  9. 9
    Pull the cloth strip off against the hair growth. When the wax has cooled to your temperature, very quickly grip it and pull it up against your hair growth. You need to do this fast, as doing it slowly will actually be more painful and likely not remove all of the hair.[16]
  10. 10
    Repeat applying the sugar wax, letting it cool, and removing the wax all around the body part. Continue to work until you have waxed the entire area.
  11. 11
    Rinse off remaining sugar wax and moisturize. When you are done waxing, gently rinse off any of the wax that might be still stuck to your body. Then, moisturize the area.[17]
    • Jojoba and grapeseed oils are recommended options for moisturizing and reducing redness.
  12. 12
    Wax again in a few days if you missed any areas. You do not want to wax again immediately, because your skin will become too irritated. If you missed any big areas, then wait a few days before repeating this method.

Using Turmeric Paste

  1. 1
    Gather the ingredients needed to make the paste. This is a very simple home remedy that helps with hair removal, and only a couple of ingredients are needed:[18]
    • Turmeric powder
    • Water, rose water, or milk
  2. 2
    Mix the turmeric powder with the liquid to make a paste. You need enough to cover the area from which you want to remove hair, so mix one part of each until you have enough paste to cover that area.
    • You can use any of the liquids listed in Step 1, but only use one of them.
    • Keep in mind that it is noted that this paste is intended for a small amount of hair or very fine hair. It is best when used on facial areas, like the upper lip.[19]
  3. 3
    Apply the paste to the area from which you want to remove hair. Gently spread the turmeric paste onto the area and let it dry. You can leave it on for 15-30 minutes or until it is completely dry.[20]
  4. 4
    Wash off the paste with warm water. Once the paste is totally dry, rinse it off with warm water. Then, pat the area dry with a clean towel.[21]
  5. 5
    Repeat this process regularly to remove hair. One time of applying the paste will not remove all of the hair. You will have to repeat it regularly, such as on a daily basis, to achieve the results you want.[22]

Using a Papaya Mixture

  1. 1
    Collect the ingredients for making the papaya mixture. This method starts with a papaya powder or paste and includes several other natural ingredients known for natural hair removal:[23]
    • Papaya powder (¼ tablespoon) or papaya paste (1 tablespoon—make by cutting and smashing small chunks of papaya)
    • Turmeric powder (¼ tablespoon)
    • Gram flour (¼ tablespoon)
    • Aloe vera gel (4 tablespoons)
    • Mustard oil (2 tablespoons)
    • Essential oil, any scent (2 drops)
  2. 2
    Mix all of the ingredients together into a small mixing bowl. When combined, the ingredients should form a thick paste.[24]
  3. 3
    Apply the paste to the area from which you want to remove hair. Gently spread the paste on the area in the opposite direction of the hair growth.[25]
  4. 4
    Allow the paste to sit for 15-20 minutes or until it is complete dry. Once it has completely dried, you can take a clean, dry cloth and rub it over the pasted area in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Continue rubbing until you have removed all of the paste.[26]
  5. 5
    Rinse the area with water and pat it dry.[27] This will help to remove any last remnants of the paste and prepare your skin for moisturizing.
  6. 6
    Moisturize the area. You can use a natural oil such as olive, jojoba, or grapeseed oils to moisturize. Gently apply the oil over the area where you applied the paste.
  7. 7
    Repeat this process 3-4 times per week for about three months. In order to remove all of the hair, you will have to regularly repeat this method a few times each week for three months.[28]

Using a Pumice Stone

  1. 1
    Obtain a pumice stone. A pumice stone is a beauty tool that can be found in the beauty section of grocery stores and drugstores. It will likely be near the body washes and loofahs or body sponges.
  2. 2
    Exfoliate your skin. As you prepare to remove hair with the pumice stone, exfoliating your skin helps to remove the layer of dead skin cells and soften your hair, which will make it easier to remove.
    • Take care to do this anywhere that you want to remove hair with the pumice stone.
  3. 3
    Place the pumice stone on the skin at the hairline. Rather than starting anywhere on your body, start with the pumice stone at the hairline in the area from which you want to remove hair.
  4. 4
    Rub the pumice stone in a small, circular motion. Continue rubbing with gentle pressure until the hair is removed from that area. Then, move onto the next area and repeat.
    • Continue this process until you have reached every section of the body part on which you are working.
  5. 5
    Rinse your body off with water. This will help to remove both loose hair and dead skin cells removed by the pumice stone.
  6. 6
    Apply a moisturizer to your skin. Natural moisturizers, such as jojoba or coconut oil, can be used. They will moisturize the skin and help to reduce irritation from the pumice stone.
  7. 7
    Clean the pumice stone after usage. Use soapy water and a nail brush to clean the pumice stone of hair and dead skin cells after use. This will keep it working efficiently.[29]
  8. 8
    Repeat this process in about three days. This method only removes hair for a couple of days, much like shaving. You can repeat it in a couple of days to maintain smooth, hairless skin.[30]

Community Q&A

Add New Question
  • Where can I get the wax for waxing hair?
    wikiHow Contributor
    You can find it in many beauty supply shops, drug stores, and well-stocked supermarkets.
  • How long will it take for the hair to be removed using turmeric and water if I use it on a daily basis?
    wikiHow Contributor
    It will take about 7-9 days to fully remove all of the hair, although if you leave it on longer, it will probably work faster.
  • If I use sugar wax, will my hair grow thicker again?
    wikiHow Contributor
    It will not get thicker if you exfoliate your skin in the correct way.
  • Will pumice hurt and will it really work?
    wikiHow Contributor
    It might hurt at first, and you'll need to get used to the feeling. It will work if you use it correctly.
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  • Another natural hair removal method, but one that needs to be done by a professional, is threading. Threading is most recommended on the face, but some salons offer threading services for other areas of the body, like the arms.
  • Test the method you would like to use on a small area of your skin to ensure that you will not have an allergic reaction.
  • Remember that it is always helpful to have a professional do the hair removal on your facial features, especially your eyebrows.
  • You may need to cover the area with soap or another lubricant before using the pumice stone method. Some people find that this helps further reduce irritation to the skin.[31]

Sources and Citations

  1. http://almostexactlyblog.com/2014/02/07/safer-razors/
  2. http://almostexactlyblog.com/2013/07/04/shaving-creamslotionsgels-diy-or-buy/
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Article Info

Categories: Hair Removal

In other languages:

Español: quitar vello de manera natural, Italiano: Togliere i Peli Naturalmente, Русский: натурально удалить волосы, Português: Remover Pelos Naturalmente, Deutsch: Haare natürlich entfernen, Français: s'épiler naturellement

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