A well-shaped eyebrow can actually take off many years from your face. In an attempt to shape the eyebrow, women (some men too) employ various methods including waxing, shaving cream and razor blade.
For total removal of this hair (which some replace by using a line of eye pencil) hair removal creams are applied. But all these methods come with disadvantages which are more than the advantages.
According to an article in about.com, the advantage with waxing is that it leaves the skin feeling smoother and softer compared to hair removal creams and razor blades. Since the hair is removed at the follicle and not cut as it is during shaving, it can leave sharp, uncomfortable edges. If waxing is used frequently, the re-grown hairs become softer, thinner and sparser.
Again, waxing may require going to a beauty salon, which should take the technician only 15 minutes or less to work on the eyebrows. The results should last three to four weeks. This, compares to tweezing, has to be done on a more regular basis and takes a lot longer, as every hair has to be removed individually.
But the method is not without dangers as putting hot wax above the eye isn’t the safest thing one can do. Adverse effects include redness to the skin or red bumps around the eye. Waxing can also lead to blood patches, as it sometimes detaches the top layer of skin in addition to the hair. In addition to all of these, waxing can also lead to ingrown hairs if the hair breaks at the follicle. This can lead to infection and abscesses.
Shaving sticks and razor blades on the other hand, can give the eyebrow a streamlined look but it is not a very good idea. Before taking any of them near the eyes, think twice, for the following reasons:
• Thin skin: The area near the brows is very delicate and as the skin is a lot thinner than many places on the face and body. The idea of getting a blade near the eyes could be dangerous. Razor can cut, scrape, or cause abrasions that may scar it forever.
• Eyebrow hair is rather coarse, and shaving creates a blunt edge. It’s different when the entire hair follicle is removed (like waxing or tweezing) because it will grow back with a feathery, tapered edge. The blunt edge caused by shaving makes hair look like it’s thicker.
• Shaving only make hair even with the skin. The results won’t last very long, but one will start to see stubble or a shadow in the next day or so. This means, one will have to shave them almost every week to keep the results. Over-sensitive skin might react adversely and develop rashes. Rashes around eyes are not safe either.
Culled from Punch Ng