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Take It Off! trust the pros Eyebrow maintenance calls for an experienced hand. One wrong move with a blob of wax and you could be penciling in the bald spot for months, so it can be worth finding a pro for this delicate task. When you're at the salon, be clear about the brow look you want (bringing pictures can help). Ask your wax technician to clean up stray hair above the brow for a more polished look. If you're wax-shy, taking medications for skin problems or have sensitive skin, consider thread- ing, an ancient technique from India. Experts knot cotton thread around stray hairs to pull them from their roots and shape eyebrows. The long-lasting procedure hurts but is over quickly—typically less than five minutes! tools of the trade In the battle against unwelcome hair, your weapons should be chosen carefully. Maybe you, like most women, rely on your trusty razor. Shaving is an effective, low-cost way to handle large areas of hair in a short amount of time; however, the effects are often undone in days or even hours. Other techniques, such as waxing, sugaring and applying depilatory cream, offer longer lasting results because they remove or destroy hair from the root and can be performed in the comfort of your own home. Be sure to test products ahead of time on a small spot by your ankle to identify and limit poten- tial adverse reactions. Tweezing, which also removes hair at the roots, is low-cost and safe to do in the privacy of your own bath- room, but is time-con- suming and can be painful. If you're going to pluck, stick to the face and have a soothing compress handy. is going electric safe? Lasers and electric cur- rents? It may be the stuff of science fiction, but these techniques offer long- lasting hair-free skin. Laser hair removal is a professional treat- ment that zaps dark hairs until they stop coming back. Sessions cost an average of $225 each, and several are usually necessary to deter future hair growth. Laser- treated skin should not be exposed to the sun for several weeks, and the procedure can also cause side effects, such as blisters, especially on darker skin. Electrolysis is considered the only true perma- nent hair removal technique. It works on all hair types and sessions typically cost $40 or more. There may be some pain during electrolysis as hair follicles are exposed to electric current, which destroys the root and prevents errant hairs from coming back. Your quest to remove unwanted hair begins at the roots. Explore the pros and cons of popular hair removal techniques to find a smooth solution. health + beauty \\ 3