When did epilation and depilation begin in human history? What do we know about hair removal habits and techniques throughout the centuries. Viva Brazil did its research and here are the results.
Phoenician and Babylonian (2000 BC) kings and queens had to remove the hair from their chins in order to wear a false beard that was considered an attribute of the gods. They used different methods like: bronze tweezers, secret formulas and an early version of depilatory waxing, based on water, sugar and lemon. This was the oldest way of “middle eastern waxing” or now known as sugaring wax. So yes, sugaring is the oldest way of waxing but the most advance way.
In ancient Egypt (1150 BC), the Pharaohs and their wives, priests, priestesses and members of the aristocracy had all hair removed (from underarms to pubic area); as we will say now “full body waxing”. A hairless body was symbol of purity, in opposite to a hairy body which was a representation of the animality and impurity.
Around 900 BC, the Queen of Sheba, during her meeting with Solomon the King of Israel, mistook the mirrors on the floor for water and walked on them, when she realized her mistake, she opened slightly opened her robe and that vision made the powerful King more than happy and they became lovers for eternity. This is considered the first Brazilian wax described in the human history.
It is only later (500 BC) that epilation was accessible for all of society, from aristocrates to slaves, and became a general hygiene and esthetic way of life. In ancient Greece (fifth century BC), barbers practiced hair removal in their shops as artisans and at home they also dispensed hand and foot care. They were a very strong corporation and generalized epilation. Wealthy families had a specialized slave for that purpose.
Epilation was a large part of Roman culture. They also practiced various forms of body care, going to the baths daily; they enjoyed water and steam baths, massages, and care of all sorts in facilities that were extraordinarily sophisticated for that time. Young men from the Roman aristocracy liked to have the hair removed from their legs, which they showed off by wearing short tunics. The methods of depilatory used ranged from singeing the hairs using red-hot nutshells, removing the hairs with pine resin (still one of the Hard Wax components), and also included using bats’ blood for eyebrow epilation. These methods were still used until the Middle Age. The rise of the Roman Empire was also the rise of epilation and after its fall, the reign of hair started again.
During the early centuries of the Christian religion in the Western World, epilation, depilation and hygiene in general were more or less forgotten. In general, care of the body was neglected and hair on a woman was seen as an attribute of femininity and fecundity.
The Crusades in the 12th and 13th centuries changed everything. In the East, the Christian knights became quite intimate with local women who were free of body hair. After returning to the West, they brought back with them practices learned from the conquered peoples, like steam baths and epilation, essentially of the forehead, underarms, and sometimes the pubic area.
In addition to Eastern-style epilation, the use of hot wax began to appear. These natural waxes were made of vegetable gums and beeswax. Beeswax was already used for pharmacopeia and cosmetology.
A high and hair-free forehead became a standard fashion in Europe. The women began removing or shaving the hair from the eyebrows and the forehead.
In Europe, through the 19th century, epilation was essentially facial. In particular, the eyebrows were plucked to draw attention to the eyes and their color. Over the centuries, the use of natural wax for hair removal become more generalized. Also, some preparations (frog blood, ashes mixed with vinegar) despite their toxicity seemed to prevent the regrowth of the hair. They contained yellow arsenic (Rusma Turcorum). Don’t be scared, though Viva Brazil’s custom-made Hard Wax is 100% organic.
In the West, not until the early 20th century, women’s legs and bodies were hidden from view by their clothing and there was no motivation for epilation. After the First World War, society and fashion began to change and women gradually started to push and break some constraints and restrictions. Necklines began to drop and arms came out into the open; then dress and skirt length began to shorten. Also, with the development of outdoor leisure activities, such as sea and sun bathing, women began shaving or epilating their underarms, legs, and the swimsuit area.
During the 20th century, fashion and sports have developed a new relationship and perception on the human body. Improvements in techniques and esthetic attitudes are making epilation and depilation more general in use. The Brazilian bikini waxing and men’s waxing are now becoming common.
During that time hard waxes with low temperature and soft waxes were developed for a better comfort and result. This research was essentially conducted in Europe.
