Beauty isn't just a blissful round of manicures, massage and make-up. Granted, playing around with cosmetics is fun, but having to deal with unsightly problems on a regular basis is not. We asked the experts the best ways to solve several beauty nightmares.
Ingrown hair: A profuse bikini area extending beyond clothing's boundaries isn't a good look - but even if the overgrowth is depilated into oblivion, the after effects can be just as much of a nightmare. Ingrown hair occurs when the shaft - after having been previously removed by waxing, shaving or other depilatory methods - fails to grow out of the skin. It curls back on itself in the follicle under the skin, often causing inflammation which leads to raised bumps on the skin's surface.
'The problem is often unavoidable because hair grows in many different directions and when you wax in one direction it's inevitable that there will be several [hairs] growing in another,' says Louise Chu, beauty therapist at Jacques Dessange (bikini wax, $180; tel: 2521 1695). 'Shaving is particularly bad if you're prone to ingrown hairs because the shaft is often cut too short below skin level and will grow through surrounding tissue rather than out of the follicle causing raised bumps and maybe infection.'
Back acne: A sure-fire way to ruin the effect of a sexy spaghetti-strap number is an outbreak of pimples on your back. Unfortunately, high humidity and an oil gland-infested area such as the shoulders are a breeding ground for the little nasties due to perspiration, which can lead to clogged pores.
'Most of the time, acne is due to skin irritation so avoid wearing polyester - or any fabric that causes irritation - and tight clothing because this locks in heat and moisture,' says Mary Tong, owner of Menthoderm Skin Nursery (tel: 2147 3803). 'Don't take hot showers, use strong soaps, perfumed products or anything else that aggravates the skin. And don't eat seafood because it can cause skin allergies and spots.'