Tips on Hair Removal
 

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By Pat Mestern
 

During the 2^nd World War, girls from across Canada worked in a local factory. A few boarded with grandmother where they had a "common" room for relaxing after work to chat and "do their girl things." I was VERY young and not allowed to bother them, but one day I sneaked in and before being detected and relegated to the back yard, found them all "rubbing" their legs with paper. Being only four years old I never connected legs, paper and hair removal.

When my turn came to deal with unwanted hair, I went the usual route of creams, potions, lotions, razors (electric and otherwise) & etc. As a dark-haired person there was always a nice luxurious growth to deal with, especially as my 40th birthday came along and maturity began to set in. Hair growth is directly related to estrogen levels, hormones and ancestry. Having babes can really produce a healthy crop in unwanted places. So can memopause.

One day while cruising a local pharmacy, I found a product that consisted of small strips of material that resembled fine "emery" paper and a plastic holder to use while removing hair. Also in the display as another product, a mitt for removal of leg hair. Dubiously, I bought both products and tried them. My goodness, they worked. The hair, of course, returned but as time went on it got less "heavy" and more "manageable". I enjoyed the facial "massage" as I carefully rubbed in small circular motions as per directions. Remember though that hair roots are still alive and will grow again unless removed by electrolysis. This "rubbing" is not a permanent solution, just a better one than smelly creams, lotions, potions & etc. It has been successful for some men too.

As every pharmacy does not carry the product, I bought when and where I found it. I also called the company to congratulate them on an excellent product and was told - it has been around since World War 2 - thousands of units are shipped overseas where it is very popular (especially in Japan) - the product is available in one of the big box stores in the U.S.A.

One time when away on a speaking engagement, horror of horrors, I forgot to pack my hair removal strips. I was going to stand before two hundred people as the bearded lady with ape legs. The local pharmacy hadn't heard of the product.

What to do? For some reason, when under pressure things "connect". A bubble burst in my feeble, overworked brain. Sandpaper! Going to a hardware store (have you ever tried to find a hardware store in the middle of a large city?) I asked for the finest sandpaper in stock. It was not fine enough. The clerk suggested an automotive supply store that sold to auto body repair shops for a very fine 400-600 grit. When he asked why I needed such a fine girt, he did not blink an eye when I said "to remove body hair." He replied that his grandmother used the technique all the time and that actor friends used sandpaper to remove unwanted hair from backs and legs for certain scenes. One friend had to have his back constantly sandpapered for a stage production of "Joseph & his Amazing Techni-coloured Dream Coat." After finding a 12" x 12" sheet of very fine 600 grit paper and working CAREFULLY, an effective job of "hair gone" was accomplished.

Back home experimentation with sandpaper went into high gear - what grit worked best - how to use large sheets effectively. The professional product has a sticky back that adheres to the plastic remover aid. While talking the situation over with my ninety-year-old mother, she said. "Why the girls just used to wrap the sandpaper around a wooden block. Some pasted it down to the back of a hair brush. They used sandpaper because it was war-time and other products were not available." Why had she not told me about sandpaper hair removal nearly forty years ago when as a young woman I needed the information?

"My dear, it was something the girls did as part of the war effort. And it was mentioned in one of those beauty books I gave you to read around age eleven." What eleven year old read beauty books in the 1950's?

I still buy (and like) the manufactured product but not in such great quantity. The bought product is easier to pack for holidays and for "spot jobs". 400-600 grit paper works best for me. Cut a strip. Wrap it around a small wood cube - or rubber spatula and GENTLY (working on one small area at a time) rub in a half dozen small circles one way - then a half dozen small circles the other - until the hair is gone and the skin feels smooth. Do not scrub. Do not rub up and down. Do not attack the skin as though it was a wooden table leg. GENTLE is the key - gentle circular motions in both directions. A white "powder" will develop on legs (and maybe face). This is dead skin that has come off with the hair. Finish with a nice body lotion to moisturize the skin. Your skin will glow and feel great!

I DO NOT GUARANTEE SUCCESS. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THE PROCESS FOR EVERYONE. If it works for you - great. I have tough "Canadian" skin that has been exposed to sun, wind, cold. I have no problems. Some people try the system and love it. A few say that their skin is too sensitive and turns red after rubbing. Some have better success with the bought product when it can be found. Do not give up after the first try. DO NOT PURCHASE COARSE SANDPAPER. The time between rubbings varies with your own hair growth cycle. If you continue with the procedure, hair will be finer and less enthusiastic about growing. As home "grown" remedies are not for everyone, if you can find the professional product, do try it. It might be best for your situation, skin condition and sensitivity.

Hopefully the above helps all those who e-mailed. Back to my sandpaper. Pat Mestern

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