Plucking or tweezing can mean the process of human hair removal, removing animal hair or a bird's feathers by mechanically pulling the item from the owner's body. In humans, hair removal is done for personal grooming purposes, usually with tweezers. An epilator is a motorised hair plucker. Those under the influence of deliriants or trichotillomania may pluck their own hair out of habit.[1]
Roman baths employed personnel solely to pluck hair from their clients' bodies.
In birds and animals, plucking is usually carried out by humans, sometimes called pluckers, to the carcass of the subject as part of food preparation.
Disadvantages
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While plucking is a very convenient and affordable hair removal option, it has its disadvantages. If done incorrectly, it can cause trauma to the skin. Some examples of the negative impacts of plucking includes:
Alternatives to Plucking (Tweezing)
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There are several alternatives to plucking that can produce the same or even longer lasting results.
Shaving
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Shaving is a popular go- to hair removal method utilized by both men and women. This is done when an individual trims unwanted hair by a razor or other trimming device. Results can last for up to a week. It is recommended that a sharp razor be utilized to lower the risk of getting razor bumps or infection.[2]
Waxing
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There are two types of waxes. Stripless waxes, which is used for more sensitive areas of the body, is done when wax is pulled off of the skin with a strip. Stripless waxes are often utilized for facial skin or the groin area. Strip waxes, on the other hand, are used for larger areas of the body such as one's legs and arms. Nevertheless both techniques have lasting results for up to 3 weeks.[3]
Threading
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Threading a southeast Asian hair removal method. This semi permanent hair removal method is done when a cotton thread is pulled alongside the skin, removing the hair in a straight line. This removal technique is used for small areas of the body, such as for facial hair - especially eyebrows. Results last for up to 3 weeks.[4]
Poultry
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A capon and hen being plucked in Hainan, China Women in Cameroon plucking slaughtered chickensFeathers can be removed either manually or in a tumbling machine. Both methods require the feathers to be first loosened by submerging the slaughtered bird in hot water. Manual plucking involves pulling out the larger feathers then removing the down with a rubbing action. Automated plucking machines use rubber posts protruding from the inside of a spinning drum to pull the feathers from the bird. This process takes less than 30 seconds, whereas manual plucking typically takes several minutes.
See also
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Poultry plucking machine
References
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When trying to get rid of unwanted body hair, you have many hair removal methods to choose from. From professional to DIY, we’ll cover the various methods for removing hair and discuss the pros and cons of each. In part one we will learn about electrolysis, depilatory creams and shaving.
Part II: Waxing, Threading, Tweezing and Hair Removal Medication >>
Part III: Laser Hair Removal NYC and at home hair removal lasers >>
Electrolysis is a method of hair removal that requires a skilled professional. During Electrolysis, a thin needle is inserted into the hair follicle. Once inserted, the needle delivers a direct current into the hair follicle, damaging it. Once the follicle is damaged, its growth potential is disabled and the hair is easily removed with tweezers. Electrolysis can remove unwanted body hair and unwanted facial hair. For long lasting results, several electrolysis sessions, one or two weeks apart, are necessary. These appointments typically last between 30 minutes to an hour. Electrolysis is most comonly used to remove hair from the eyebrows or upper lip, as well as other areas with small patches of hair, such as the armpits. *
Electrolysis has many advantages: This FDA approved method for reducing hair is effective and dependable. Because electrolysis ignores the skin’s pigment and kills the follicle, this type of hair removal is a good alternative for people who are not good candidates for Laser hair removal. *
Electrolysis is more expensive than other methods of removing hair because electrolysis requires both a skilled technician and expensive machinery. Damaged or bent hair follicles, which often result from years of tweezing or waxing, can make it more difficult for electrolysis to remove that hair. Many patients complain that Electrolysis hurts during the procedure. This is one reason why many people prefer laser hair removal NYC over electrolysis for permanent hair reduction.*
Depilatory Creams, such as Nair, are topical creams formulated with specific chemicals that remove unwanted body hair by dissolving the hair shaft. Depilatory creams do not affect the root of the hair, rather they dissolve the hair that protrudes from the surface of the skin. Once the depilatory creams dissolves the hair for a few minutes, the unwanted body hair can be simply washed away in the shower, or wiped away with a wet towel. Depilatory Creams are distinguished by formulations intended to remove unwanted facial hair and creams formulated to remove unwanted body hair. Depilatory creams are most often used to remove facial hair, armpit hair, and hair around the bikini area. *
The advantages of depilatory creams include their availability; individuals can buy hair removal creams without a prescription. These creams are also less expensive than other methods for hair removal that require a skilled practitioner. Depilatory creams are painless, if applied correctly. When applied in the shower, depilatory creams require little clean up. Depilatory creams were once notorious for smelling like harsh chemicals, but now-a-days, most quality hair removal creams are scented with pleasant aromas. Along with dissolving hair, these creams also dissolve dead skin cells, exfoliating the skin, which reduces the chances of ingrown hairs.*
Depilatory creams have many disadvantages, first and foremost being their chemical makeup. The chemicals in depilatory creams, which dissolve the hair, can also lead to adverse skin reactions. Also, because depilatory creams do not remove unwanted hair by the root, the hair grows back much quicker than with other hair removal methods.
Shaving is the most comon method for removing or trimming unwanted facial and body hair. This method uses a tradition blade razor or an electric razor to cut hair off at the skin’s surface. Most people use soap or shaving cream to help the razor glide over the skin. Shaving is most comonly used to remove hair from the face, legs, and armpits.*
Shaving is easy, relatively quick, inexpensive and painless, if done correctly. While most individuals, regardless of hair type or pigmentation can shave, this method of hair removal works best with fine, light-pigmented hair. *
Because shaving only cuts the hair at the skin’s surface, it has many shortcomings in comparison to other methods of removing hair. Shaving produces the shortest lasting results, with some individuals seeing hair regrowth within hours after shaving. Since shaving cuts off the tapered end of each hair, leaving a blunted end, regrowth can make the hair shaft look thicker and darker. Cutting the tapered end off of the hair shaft also makes an individual more prone to ingrown hairs during the regrowth period, especially in the pubic region. Shaving can also cause skin irritation, comonly known as razor burn.
Part II: Waxing, Threading, Tweezing and Hair Removal Medication >>
Part III: Laser Hair Removal NYC and at home hair removal lasers >>