"You have more hair on your legs than my dad has on his head!"--A 7th grader, to remain nameless, to his female peer. Ouch!

Body hair. You have it and love it. You have it and hide it. You hate it and remove it so effectively that no one guesses the time and money you spend for that slick look. You don't have much, so what's all the fuss about?

Whatever your feelings, whatever your gender, you have probably noticed that body hair is a topic that touches upon a person's most secret and acute anxieties. For many women it recalls the years when we began to notice the appearance of dark hair on our legs, our arms, and--oh, how embarrassing--under our arms. Everyone whose opinion truly mattered (that is, every other middle-schooler) considered hair on girls an indication of being supremely unfeminine. The stigma associated with body hair has remained even after we've learned that our gender identity is not determined by physical appearances alone. The result is some taciturnity about an issue that very often touches upon two important areas of our life--our bodies, and our money.

 You may already be a slave to the razor blade. Or you may be perfectly content with your body unadulterated. We are not going to try to convince you to wax if you have no interest in hair removal. Nor does this article pretend to be a comparative analysis of hair removal techniques. We do, however, have great interest in sharing what we consider to be an easy and body-friendly method of achieving hairlessness. Given the apparent dearth of information about inexpensive, natural homemade hair-removal techniques, we conceived of this article in order to inform women (and men) who don't relish their barbigerousness of an excellent and surprisingly unknown method of hair removal.

Persian waxing

 Why do we think that Persian waxing is the best way to remove hair? First, think of the money you may spend on the alternatives. At a salon, waxing both legs can cost from $40 to $60. Hot and cold wax-es and pre-waxed strips usually cost between $5 and $8. Persian waxing costs the price of the sugar--and that's about it. But its benefits exceed mere economic value. It exfoliates the skin, and unlike shaving or using depilatories, hair grows back finer and less dense. Made of organic substances, Persian wax is less likely to irritate the skin than other products. Finally, because the substance is water-soluble, cleanup requires just hot water. No more band-aiding your knees and no layer of sticky chemicals all over the bathroom floor!

Says Laura's Aunt Frances, a Philadelphia schoolteacher and recent convert to Persian waxing, "It was easy and convenient, painless, and incredibly satisfying. And it's fun... I can see waxing parties."

 Jana Lipman B'96 speaks positively about the method, but notes she probably would not wax that often. "It takes some preparation. When I need to [remove hair], I just shave," she says. When Jana tried Persian waxing, she found that her legs stayed smooth for about a month and the hair was noticeably finer. "I couldn't believe that it was essentially caramel. You could eat it if you wanted to," she added.

A she thang?

Once you've tried Persian waxing, you'll discover the "residual" benefits. Teach your friends--add wine and music, and you've got fun for those slow weekends. Ask your partner to wax for you. Like the primates who pick critters from each other's fur, you'll find that waxing can be a caring and physically intimate experience for human couples too.

 Our introduction to this method of hair removal came at a time and place when going completely furry was not only acceptable, but often encouraged. In discussing (okay, proselytizing) this method among Brown friends, we've often chosen to add a short feminist preamble: We are not slaves to a hegemonic beauty ideal. We are conscious manipulators of our bodies. We hope that the women who try our method don't feel like they need to become hair-free because someone--their boyfriend or mother or boss-- demands it, but because they want to look that way. We acknowledge the injustice of a beauty standard that forces working women to either shave or sport dark stockings. This article is for men and women who want to free themselves from faulty and costly hair removal methods, not from the idea of hair removal itself. If you don't want, like, or need hairless limbs, then we love the hirsute you. If you're tired of the mess, the money, and ineffective glue-like products, then take out those lemons and wax on!

Method to Persian Waxing

 The hair should be from a quarter-inch to an inch long. Loofah the skin thoroughly with soap and hot water to slough off dead skin and open the pores. Do not apply lotion; if the skin is too greasy, wax will not stick to the hair.

 Next, prepare the wax. In a small pot, place 2-3 cups sugar and 2 tablespoons each lemon juice and water. While stirring, boil until it turns the color of Coca-Cola.

Now you've reached the critical stage. Make sure the wax is the right texture. Note that the wax is runny when hot, and will thicken considerably as it cools. The following test allows you to determine the true consistency of the wax without waiting for it to cool. With a knife, let a small amount of the wax drip onto a cool surface like a plate. The wax shouldn't harden like candy. When you press on it, it should be soft enough to squish but not make your fingers sticky. Think fresh saltwater taffy.

Adjusting the consistency

 The strategy at this point is very simple. If the ball turns brittle, the wax is too thick. Add water a little bit at a time, stirring until the substance is uniform. If the ball is too sticky, boil it a minute or two longer. Once you've determined that the wax is the proper consistency, let it cool enough so that you can try a test strip. Be very careful not to burn yourself! Dip a knife or popsicle stick in the wax and let it run down the length of the instrument. Wipe off the excess wax from one side and blow on the knife to further cool the wax. Then, quickly touch the knife to your skin. If the wax isn't uncomfortable, spread it thinly in smooth, wide strokes in the direction of hair growth. If the wax cools too much, reheat it until it is spreadable but not runny.

 Applying the Strips

Take a strip of cotton from an old sheet or a piece of muslin and press it onto the strip of wax, firmly moving your hand (but not the strip) in the direction of the hair growth.

And rip

We're not going to lie to you. The sensation of pulling off the strip is reminiscent of ripping off a band-aid. You'll find that some areas of your body are more sensitive than others, like near the ankle or the bikini line. To lessen the pain, stretch the skin taut and rip very quickly, being sure to pull opposite the direction of hair growth. Control and expectancy are important in the psychological perception of pain. Using this technique on yourself and knowing what the removal feels like will mitigate the degree of pain. You might actually find that some areas of the body, e.g. forearms, experience little discomfort.

After the Removal

Once you've finished, your skin may be red and sensitive. This irritation will go away within a few hours. Wash the waxed area and apply lotion or baby oil liberally. A dusting of baby powder is soothing. At this point, to fully appreciate the sleekness of your skin, slide into bed and feel the sheets slip across your body. Wear silk or light cotton clothing. Who says waxing isn't just for you?

Tips

 * It's best to use the strips repeatedly. One strip may be sufficient for an entire leg.

 * Loofah your body between waxings to prevent ingrown hairs.

* Keep a damp cloth nearby to soothe sensitive skin and to remove extra wax.

 * Wax doesn't go bad! Make a big pot and reheat when necessary.

 --L.N. and L.M.