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When studying hair removal techniques in cosmetology college, you will probably learn about the structure of the skin and hair; the stages of hair growth; the functions of the skin; skin diseases and disorders; allergy based skin diseases, hormonal induced skin disorders; skin cancer, and more. You will also be taught how to perform a professional consultation; hygiene treatment; postreatment care; product chemistry and, well – you get the picture. There is more to hair removal than you had previously realized, isn’t there? What a person perceives about cosmetology as a client is vastly different than what a licensed cosmetologist knows. You will be extremely proud of your new-found comprehension when you leave beauty school!

Of course, you will obtain a large amount of hands-on training in beauty school, also. One of your subjects studied will most likely include hair removal. You will learn methods of Depilation and Epilation. Depilation is removal of hair to the level of the skin which lasts several hours to several days and can be achieved by shaving, depilatories (chemicals) and Friction (buffing). Epilation includes tweezing, waxing, sugaring, threading, electrology and laser hair removal, to name a few. Most beauty schools have hands-on training in tweezing techniques and waxing. You may also have a little theory that includes information on the other techniques listed. A few schools may even offer a course in electrology (you may have to travel to another state for electrology training). Usually laser hair removal is taught by the company marketing the laser machine, and only after you have obtained your esthetician or cosmetician license. A brief look at several different hair removal techniques performed by licensed beauty or barber school graduates follows:
Shaving:
Shaving is the most traditional method of removing unwanted hair. Whether hair removal is done with a straight razor or a triple-blade Schick, only Barbers are licensed to shave in this industry.

Tweezing:
Tweezers are metal forceps used manually to pull hairs out by the root. Tweezing will be taught in beauty school. You will learn to arch eyebrows and tweeze other unwanted hair. The cosmetology student will learn to always make sure their tool is sharp and sanitary to prevent infections and ingrown hairs. Tweezing can be a tedious procedure for large areas.
Waxing:
It is very possible you will learn to wax in beauty school. Waxing is the longest-lasting temporary hair removal technique available. When wax is warm, it enters the follicle, allowing the hair to be pulled out from the root. You will probably learn to perform the waxing technique on other students. Eyebrows, armpits, arm hair, and leg hair are all areas you may practice on your peers – and they will practice on you – before you begin performing waxing in the student salon. If your skin is hyper-sensitive, or prone to breakouts or allergic reactions, be certain to alert your instructor before student partners are assigned.
You Tube – eyebrow waxing demo
Threading:
Threading, also called fatlah or khite, involves a twisted thread that catches hairs as it is rolled across the skin. The threading method is very popular in Middle East countries as well as India and Pakistan. Thread, usually cotton thread, is twisted and rolled along the surface of the skin. As the thread twists it entangles the hairs, pulling them out of the follicle. Your cosmetology book on hair removal techniques may include some information on threading. Hands-on training may not be taught for this method in beauty school.
Sugaring:
Sugaring is an ancient middle-eastern practice which uses an all natural paste or gel made from food-derived ingredients like sugar, water, and lemon juice to remove the hair follicle from the root. The results can last up to six weeks. While there are many recipes, only natural ingredients are used in real sugaring. Sugaring with the paste is considered the traditional technique. A thick, warmed mixture is applied, using the hands, first in the opposite direction of hair growth and next in the direction of hair growth. It’s then flicked off in the direction of hair growth.
Sugaring with the gel is similar to waxing. The gel is applied in the direction of hair growth and removed in the opposite direction. Your cosmetology textbook on hair removal techniques may include some information on sugaring. Hands-on training may not be taught for this method in beauty school.
Electrolysis:
Electrolysis is a time-tested method that was invented more than 100 years ago to remove irritating, in-grown eyelash hairs. Most areas of the body can be treated with electrolysis, including the eyebrows, neck, legs, abdomen, breasts, and bikini line. This procedure uses low-level electricity and a very fine needle-shaped electrode or metal probe inserted into each hair follicle to kill, or render inactive, the hair follicles. Multiple sessions are needed to attack the hair in the growth phase for electrolysis hair removal to be most effective.
Electrolysis has the best overall results, versus any other method, in ridding hair for long periods of time- or even permanently. Many different hair and skin types can benefit because it doesn’t target hair pigment (color) like laser, but attacks the follicle itself. People that aren’t good candidates for laser can still get electrolysis. Very few beauty schools offer instruction in electrolysis, but there are some.
Laser:
Laser is the most modern technique for hair removal. The ideal candidate for laser work has fair skin and dark hair, but darker-skinned women can have good results with an experienced laser practitioner. For the most part, laser hair removal is not very effective on light blonde or white hair. This service is usually performed in dermatologist and plastic surgeon’s offices or medi-spas where a physician or nurse is always present. Beauty consultants and estheticians can perform laser treatments for hair removal while working under the physician’s license. Training is usually provided by the physician or the company that markets the laser machine used in that office.
Although laser hair removal is often billed as permanent, a more realistic expectation is that your client will see a 50 to 70 per cent reduction of hair after three treatments, performed six weeks apart. On facial areas, maintenance treatments are usually necessary for complete removal. Because laser rays can penetrate deeply, this type of hair removal treatment should be avoided on the eyebrows and in between the eyes. Tweezing, waxing or electrolysis are the choices for that particular area.
Hair Removal – Quiz
This quiz has 10 questions worth 100 total points. Once you have completed the quiz, you may review the answers and take it again.
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