As a followup to our previous post on how initimate shaving works, here’s a new product that supposedly makes the process less painful.
It’s called “Pre-kini” and it’s a pre-shaving treatment. Does it really work? We haven’t tested it, but we’re a bit skeptical based on looking at the formula. Its active ingredient is benzocaine , the same chemical used in teething products for babies and other oral care products for gum or tooth pain. Benzocaine has a mild numbing effect when used on mucosal tissue (inside your mouth for example) but it doesn’t really do much on the outside of your body because the skin there is different.

In addition to benzocaine, Pre-kini contains licorice extract (which is supposed to be an anti-irritant) but it also contains a fragrance (which can be an irritant!) Why they felt the need to throw a fragrance in this formula is a mystery to us. Keeping this product gentle on the skin should be much more important than making it smell good.

Finally, just so you know, even if this product does ease the burning sensation you can get while shaving, it won’t do anything to solve the problem of foliculitis, the condition that causes inflammed “razor bumps” that you can get from shaving down there.

The Brain’s bottom line: we’re skeptical this product will do very much but it may provide some relief. The good news is that it’s not very expensive some if any of our loyal Beauty Braniacs decide to give it a try please let us know what you think.

AA Asks:
What hair removal techniques, if any, work? (ie, is electrolysis permanent, does laser hair removal last and are there repercussions for skin -e.g, hardening, discoloration?

The Right Brain Researches:
The Beauty Brains usually specialize in helping you take care of the hair you love. But since AA asked so nicely, in this post we`ll give you some tips on how to get rid of the hair you don`t want.

Types of hair removal

Hair removal can be either a temporary or permanent process. (Ok, maybe semi-permanent is more accurate.) Temporary measures include both depilation (getting rid of the hair above the surface of the skin) and epilation (removing the whole hair, including the part below the skin). The effects of depilation can last from several hours to several days; epilation, on the other hand, can last several weeks. You already know how to depilate and epilate: you shave, you tweeze, you wax, you thread¦you know the drill.

Permanent hair removal

Permanent (ok, ok, Semi-permanent) methods of hair removal are a bit trickier. These methods are far from perfect because they rely on destroying the tissues that regulate hair growth while leaving the neighboring tissues unharmed. And trust us, that ain`t easy!

Nonetheless, some success has been achieved using electrolysis and prescription oral medications. X-rays have been used as well, but this method is banned in the United States. Less success has been achieved using scary sounding methods like Electric Tweezers (doesn`t that sound like the name of a band??), Transdermal Electrolysis, Transcutaneous hair removal, Photoepilators, and Microwaves.

From where we sit, electrolysis looks like your best bet, but even it has issues. Our favorite site for hair removal info, Hairfacts.com, does a great job of laying out the disadvantages. So…we quote:

“Disadvantages

Can be expensive.

Can be painful.

Can be tedious.

Can be difficult for large amounts of hair.

If done improperly, it can result in:

partial to full regrowth

lasting skin damage

spread of infection

Regulation varies by state, so inadequate controls exist to ensure competent practitioners.

Regrowth rates have not been accurately established and cannot be predicted due to numerous variables. Some consumers do not respond to treatment.”

The Brain’s Bottom Line:
A variety of hair removal techniques work but permanently getting rid of body hair is not so easy! Go to Hairfacts.com to learn more.

Glitterati want to know: Do “hair growth inhibiting” products like Jergen’s Shave Minimizing Lotion really work?

The Right Beauty Brain’s Rigorously Researched Response:
Uh, not really.

The hairy truth

These products don’t reduce the rate at which hair grows and they don’t even do much to reduce the hair that’s already grown out! We agree with the assessment of the folks over at Hairfacts, whom we quote:

Does it remove or reduce hair? No.
Does it make hair appear less noticeable? Maybe.
Does daily use make shaving easier? Quite probably.
Does daily use allow you to shave less often? Maybe.
Is it better at softening hair than any other extra-strength moisturizer? Not been proven.
This lotion contains a lot of heavy emollients (softeners) and a mild amount of an alkaline solution used to dissolve hair.

That pretty much sums it up. Products like the Jergen’s lotion actually claim to help make hair softer, finer, and less noticeable. That does NOT mean they slow down how fast the hair grows back, which is what they imply. (By the way, we doubt that there is sufficient alkali in the lotion to make a difference because products like this are designed to be left on skin and true depilatories must be rinsed off because prolonged skin contact will cause irritation.)

Finally, as Hairfacts points out, “The only quantitative claim they need to back up is their claim that it lets you shave “half as often.” If you shave every day or so, you might be able to go every other day or so.”

The Beauty Brain’s bottom line:

Sorry, looks like you’ll have to keep shaving.