Removing Unwanted Body Hair: What Are Your Options?

The article Removing Unwanted Body Hair: What Are Your Options? is courtesy of JivaSpa.ca - Beauty Spa

Men and women young and old all have this issue to deal with in one way or another.

For women, it might be some unwanted fuzz on the upper lip or chin, hair on our legs, arms, or underarms, or eyebrows that aren’t shaped quite the way we want.

For men, it might be an excessively hairy chest, legs, arms, or underarm.

But no matter who you are, you still have unwanted body hair you’d like to take care of.

What are your options? Before you pick up that razor and shaving cream, read this article to find out!

History Of Body Hair Removal

Both men and women have been removing unwanted body hair for as long as we can remember. Before the invention of laser hair removal or safety razors, though, the process was a little different.

Great leaders throughout history maintained a clean, smooth face, including Julius Caesar, who used tweezers to pluck out his hair, and Alexander the Great, who shaved using a sharpened block of iron.

We women have been removing our body hair for even longer. Ancient Egyptian women would remove their excess body hair by tweezing with two clamshells, rubbing it away with pumice stone, or by waxing with sugar-based waxes.

The modern habit of shaving our legs and underarms began in 1915 with the introduction of the first razor designed specifically for women. And since then we haven’t looked back!

But what are your options today? Surely there’s more out there than clamshells and razors, right? Of course!

Here are some of the more popular hair removal options, and their pros and cons.

Shaving

The classic method for removing body hair. It’s the one we’re all most familiar with. If you’re reading this, chances are you’re already familiar with it.

On the plus side, shaving is a relatively simple process. Lather, shave, rinse. That’s it. You can do it yourself at home with less than $20 worth of product - just a razor and a can of shaving cream. It’s also fairly quick, taking only a few minutes to do.

The major drawback to shaving, of course, is how quickly your hair returns. After a day or two, you’re back at the start and have to shave again. And if you’re hoping to remove a large amount of hair from your body, this can be an incredible hassle.

If this is a concern for you, you may want to consider another option.

Waxing

If you’re fed up with shaving, waxing is another common option for removing your hair.

During the waxing process, we’ll spread hot wax across the hair you’d like to remove. Then with the wax firmly attached to a sheet on the other side, we’ll pull it off. This pulls your hair out by the roots.

If that sounds painful, well, that’s because it is. Waxing is certainly the most painful option for removing your hair. While most are able to tolerate the discomfort, it should be noted anyway.

Your hair also needs to be fairly long before you can wax – about a month’s worth of growth in most people. As a result, you may feel like you have to hide your legs, arms, chest, or wherever you want to get waxed.

Waxing does, however, last longer than shaving. Waxed skin will stay smooth for up to a month or more, so if you’re going to a place where shaving isn’t going to be convenient but you still want to enjoy smooth skin, waxing may be for you.

Threading

Threading is a form of hair removal where two threads are wrapped around an individual hair and plucked out.

Because threading is so precise, it’s not very useful for larger sections of body hair. It’s mostly used to shape eyebrows or remove small hairs in the upper lip or chin.

Proponents of threading eyebrows say it allows for more precision than waxing alone, and is less painful. It does take longer, however.

Laser Hair Removal

While each of the above solutions has been around for centuries, laser hair removal is the newest of them all.

Laser hair removal works by shining an intense light on your skin. The light is absorbed by your hair follicles, which are destroyed in the process. This stops your body from producing new hair, allowing you to retain smoother skin for longer.

Laser hair removal is by far the most effective treatment for hair removal, but it’s also the most complex. You’ll usually need several treatments before you can see lasting results. And because it’s a more invasive procedure than any others it can have side effects which, while mild, are more significant than any other option.

It’s also more expensive than any other option. Depending on the area of your body you’d like to treat, it can cost up to a few hundred dollars per treatment area.

But once you‘ve completed a laser hair treatment, you’ll be done with body hair removal for a much longer time – usually for at least six months.

For laser hair treatment in Toronto, Jiva Spa can help.

Other Options

These are just some of the more popular options for hair removal. Depilatory creams, sugaring, and electrolysis are just some of the other available options.

Which is your favourite method for body hair removal? Let us know in the comments below.

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Anti-Aging Skin Care Treatments: Your Eyes

The post Anti-Aging Skin Care Treatments: Your Eyes was first published on Anti-Aging and Beauty Spa - Jiva

They’re the window to the soul. And the window to the world.

They’re the tool we use most to understand the world around us.

Your eyes are one of the most important parts of your body. Without them, your life would be very different.

And when it comes to esthetics, your eyes are one of the most telling signs of age on your face.

Keeping your eyes looking youthful is one of the most effective anti-aging tricks in the book.

Here at Jiva Spa Toronto, we have a series of treatments designed specifically for your eyes. These can help give you a more youthful appearance. And when combined with other facial treatments, you can retain a youthful appearance for years to come!

It’s these treatments that allow us to remain one of the best anti-aging skin care spas in Toronto.

Let’s talk about the different solutions for your eyes, and how they can help you meet your beauty goals.

Jiva Eye Treatment

Crow’s feet, fine lines, or laugh lines. They go by many names. Whatever you want to call them, their appearance on your face is often an early warning sign of the aging process catching up with you. And since your eyes are one of the most important features on your face, these lines can make you appear older than almost any other feature on your face.

Reducing these lines is one of the most effective anti-aging treatments available. And it’s with this in mind that we developed the Jiva Eye Treatment.

A Jiva Eye Treatment is one of the most relaxing, soothing treatments we have available. Like a mini facial for your eyes, it’s designed to cleanse and exfoliate your skin, drain your lymph nodes, and reduce dark circles and puffiness.

Walking away from a Jiva Eye Treatment, you’ll feel more relaxed and look years younger.

Eyelash Extensions

Beyond a more youthful appearance, longer eyelashes are associated with sexier, more feminine eyes and face. Jiva Spa Toronto offers two different options for eyelash extensions.

The first is our Lash In A Flash solution. If you have an upcoming event, like a wedding, vacation, or performance and want to look your best, Lash In A Flash is for you. This solution lasts for about two weeks and can give you the appearance you’re looking for.

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, Misencil eyelash extensions is for you. Misencil has developed an eyelash extension which is realistic looking, classy, and sexy! Misencil lashes work by attaching themselves to your real eyelashes, which gives them their realistic appearance.

Misencil lashes are permanent in that they last as long as your eyelashes remain attached, which is generally about one month. You can opt for the classic look, which provides a sexy enhancement to your natural lashes, or a more dramatic, Kim Kardashian type look for the longest, sexiest lashes! Visit Jiva Spa Toronto once a month to maintain your Misencil lashes and retain a gorgeous set of lashes for years to come.

High Definition Eyebrow Treatment

Your eyebrows may seem like a minor detail, but they’re the perfect way to top off a fantastic look. When your eyebrows perfectly complement your face, they can give you a more youthful, sexier appearance.

Of course, not every eyebrow shape looks good on every face. We’ll start off by determining your face shape and what would look the best for you. From there, we’ll use a combination of different techniques, including threading, tweezing, waxing, to shape them. Finally, we’ll tint them to an ideal colour, helping them frame your face and show off your gorgeous eyes!

Beautiful Eyes

If you’ve already figured out what you want your eyes to look like, we can help! Contact Jiva Spa Toronto to book an appointment.

But if you aren’t sure what the best option is, that’s okay too! We have a team of experienced stylists and estheticians who can help you decide on the best course of action for your eyes.

Contact Jiva Spa Toronto, and we’ll help give you the eyes you’ve always dreamed of!

Read additional info on: The health and beauty spa - Jiva

Facial Treatments: What Is An IPL Photofacial?

Find more on: Jiva - Toronto Beauty Spa

We all want to enjoy more beautiful, healthy looking skin. And when it comes to getting the skin we want, there are many different options.

For those who are confused by the process, it can be overwhelming to even know where to start.

After all, why would you get an IPL photofacial instead of a microdermabrasion? Or a chemical glycolic peel? Or a different treatment altogether?

If you’re confused, you’re not alone.

This is the third in a multi-part article series where we explain more about the different options you have for getting the beautiful, flawless, youthful skin you’re looking for.

So far we’ve talked about chemical glycolic peels and microdermabrasions. We’ve talked about the two treatments, what they treat, and why you would use one over another. Because the two were so similar in nature, it was easy to compare them.

But today we have a new treatment on the table – the IPL photofacial. What is an IPL photofacial? Why should you choose one over the other treatments we’ve talked about so far? And what can you expect from an IPL treatment?

Read on to find out.

What Is An IPL Photofacial?

An IPL photofacial is a medispa treatment designed to reduce the effects of sun damage, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, discoloration, broken capillaries, and uneven skin. If you suffer from one of these conditions, IPL can help you even out your skin, leaving it even and beautiful where it was once blotchy and unpleasant.

The IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) laser penetrates deep into your skin. There, it causes blood vessels and collagen to contract, which helps with all the conditions listed above. It can also help with reducing age lines.

The primary difference between IPL photofacials and microdermabrasions or chemical glycolic peels is that IPL is non-abrasive. While microdermabrasions and chemical peels work away at the top layer of your skin, IPL penetrates deep down without removing any skin in the process. This can be especially effective for those with sensitive skin.

One of the big benefits to IPL photofacials, too, is that the procedure involves zero downtime. You can get an IPL photofacial at lunch and be back at the office in the same day.

Do Photofacials Work?

In general, yes. An IPL photofacial can do wonders to help even out your skin tone and give you a more youthful appearance. But as always, it isn’t designed for everyone.

If your skin is sun-damaged but you currently aren’t tanned, you may be an ideal candidate for an IPL photofacial.

If you’re hoping to even out your skin pigmentation, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, or manage rosacea, you may also be an ideal candidate.

Photofacials work best on people with lighter skin. Those with darker skin, whether naturally or via tanning, may experience limited results.

To find out whether the treatment will work for you, contact Jiva Spa. We’re a Toronto IPL photofacial spa, and can help you better understand all your options and whether IPL is right for you.

If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, using any blood thinners or anti-coagulants, or you’re currently taking Accutane to manage your acne, you should speak with your doctor before beginning an IPL treatment.

Side Effects Of Photofacials

You may experience some pain while receiving an IPL photofacial. Most find it to be nothing more than a minor discomfort.

Similar to the other treatment methods mentioned so far, you may experience some redness, dark spots, or minor bleeding after an IPL treatment. This generally disappears very quickly, though some take up to a week to recover fully.

We also advise that you avoid the sun as much as possible for a few days after your IPL photofacial treatment.

Should I Get A Photofacial?

If you’re considering an IPL photofacial treatment, contact Jiva Spa Toronto today.

You’ll get a chance to sit down with one of our professional estheticians, who will help you better understand your options and whether a photofacial, a microdermabrasion, a chemical peel, or another option is best for you.

Contact Jiva Spa Toronto, and take your first step toward clearer, healthier skin today.

See additional information on: Jiva - Toronto Spa

Facial Treatments: What Is A Microdermabrasion?

Read more on: Toronto Beauty Spa - Jiva Spa

Skin care is a tricky game. While you may be able to do it yourself when it comes to at-home skin care techniques like an avocado mask or an oatmeal bath, that’s not always enough to deliver the results you’re looking for.

Especially when it comes to anti-aging, the process can be even trickier. The skin treatments you used at home just don’t seem to work like they used to, and you need something larger to get the skin you need.

That’s where a health and beauty spa comes in. An experienced esthetician can help you determine your skin’s unique needs, and what the best option is for giving you the results you’re looking for.

Last time we talked about chemical glycolic peels. We talked about the results you can achieve with them, the type of conditions it can treat, and what to expect throughout the process.

Today we’ll be taking a look at the microdermabrasion. Similar in purpose to a chemical glycolic peel, a microdermabrasion can help give you more beautiful looking skin and fight off the aging process.

What Is A Microdermabrasion?

When it comes to getting a facial treatment in Toronto, a microdermabrasion is one of the more popular non-surgical facial treatments. It’s a day spa treatment, so you can be in and out in a short amount of time when compared to the more invasive surgical procedures out there.

How does it work? It’s all in the name – microdermabrasion. Let’s break it down. There are three parts to the name – "micro," "derm," and "abrasion".

First, let’s start at the end – derm, and abrasion. A microdermabrasion works by abrading your skin (derm, from "dermis," or skin). It scrapes away the uppermost layer of skin on your face, your epidermis, which is made up entirely of dead skin cells.

This outer layer is where you’ll find most of your wrinkles, imperfections, and blemishes. A microdermabrasion is designed to remove this layer and exfoliate the skin underneath, leaving you with healthier, more youthful looking skin.

The microdermabrasion tool is both a gun and a vacuum. The gun shoots tiny (micro) crystals at your face, which chips away at the layer of dead skin cells on your face. At the same time, the vacuum will raise a small section of your face at a time, which makes it easier to remove the dead skin cells.

As the dead skin cells are flaked off, the vacuum will remove them as well as the used crystals, leaving behind a cleaner, clearer face.

Should I Have A Microdermabrasion Done?

As with most cosmetic treatments, a microdermabrasion is not for everyone. For certain people, a microdermabrasion can actually aggravate an already existing condition. No matter what though, you should consult an esthetician before having a microdermabrasion or any other facial treatment done.

If you suffer from rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, lupus, diabetes dermatitis, warts, open sores or lesions, widespread or severe acne, fragile capillaries, or herpetic lesions, a microdermabrasion may not be the best option for you. In certain of these situations a chemical glycolic peel or IPL photo facial may be a better treatment plan.
At Jiva Spa Toronto, our qualified estheticians will help you make the best decision to help you reach your goals based on your skin’s unique needs.

Microdermabrasion Side Effects

A microdermabrasion is considered a safe, routine treatment, and there are few risks or concerns related to it. However, minor complications can sometimes arise.

In particular, you may experience some minor bruising, redness, or changes in skin pigmentation, minor bleeding, fine broken blood vessels, and flare-ups in cold sores if you were already prone to them. These issues nearly always disappear on their own within a few days of treatment. If they last longer, consult your doctor.

Best Microdermabrasion Treatment In Toronto

If you’re considering a microdermabrasion, or aren’t sure what the best treatment is for your skin, contact Jiva Spa Toronto.

While a blog article can be informative, it can only go so far. That’s where an esthetician comes in.

Our experienced team of estheticians will help you determine the best treatment plan to meet your skin’s unique needs.

So contact Jiva Spa Toronto to book a consultation to discover your skin’s needs and how you can best meet your beauty goals.

See more info on: JivaSpa.ca