Hairy mess

Unwanted hair can be painful to remove

By KELSEY BLACKWELL
UNIVERSITY JOURNAL

Waxing is an increasingly popular way to get rid of unwanted body hair and is more effective than the traditional method of shaving.
Jacqui Talley, owner of Hello Gorgeous Salon located at 200 N. 400 West, said she recommends waxing over shaving.
“The hair will come back much finer and softer (after waxing),” she said. “It usually comes back courser and darker when you shave.”
Talley said it takes hair as long as 6 to 8 weeks to grow back after waxing but can grow back as soon as two days after shaving.
Some students said they prefer not to wax because it looks uncomfortable.
Bonnie Jean Nielson, a junior German major from Salt Lake City, said getting rid of unwanted leg hair is a nuisance regardless of the method but decides to shave because waxing looks uncomfortable.
“I shave despite the fact it’s not easy or quick,” she said. “I’ve never waxed because it looks too painful.”
Talley said when it comes to pain, men tend to be less tolerant than women, but said there are steps that can help lessen the discomfort.
“I recommend taking an aspirin before you get it done and not letting hair grow any longer then one-fourth of an inch,” she said.
Talley said hair that’s longer than one-fourth inch tends to break off under the surface and increase pain. Talley also recommended the procedure be done a week before or after a woman’s period because of increased sensitivity during that time of the month.
Erin Larson, a sophomore undeclared major from Salt Lake City, said she doesn’t wax because the method is unconventional.
“It always looked to me that by the time you got your hair long enough, it was too disgusting,” she said. “I don’t like to shave, but I like the feel of hairy legs even less.”
Others might also be turned off by the method but for different reasons. According to hairfacts.com, waxing can cause hairs to break off at or below the surface, increasing pain.
The process also can be messy and the wax consistency may be difficult to get correct when done at home. Skin can become infected when the wax or strips are not properly cleaned, it said on the Web site.
Talley maintains that if done correctly, there shouldn’t be a problem.
“If the person knows what they’re doing, nothing should go wrong,” she said.
Talley said she advocates the method over shaving and added that contrary to popular belief, waxing is not just for women.
“I would like to see more men get their eyebrows done,” she said. “A lot of them think they don’t need it, but all the stars do it. We need to let these guys know.”
Ryan VanWoerkom, a junior chemistry major from Far West City, said he has never thought about waxing his eyebrows and doesn’t have the desire to ever get it done.
“I’ve never thought about it,” he said. “I think hairs bring uniqueness to my face.”
Cole Houston, a freshman management major from Kanab, said having waxed his eyebrows once, he has no plans to do it again.
“It’s probably the dumbest thing I’ve ever done,” he said. “My sister, she’s a cosmetologist and she wanted to try it out on me. It didn’t feel very good and I’m not really concerned about it.”
Talley said she will wax a man’s neck, back and shoulders withprices ranging from $5 to $15. She said virtually any body part on a woman can be waxed.