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Just as every person prefers one food over another, all of us favor a particular technique for hair removal. Some people like to shave, while others opt for waxing. But which method is right for you?
Each type has its pros and cons, so it isn’t easy to choose one that’s best for everyone. In this post, we’re going to break down the benefits of different hair removal methods:
Shaving
The majority of us are familiar with the most common way to remove hair: shaving. Whether you’re getting rid of a beard or preparing your legs for a day at the beach, shaving is a tried-and-true way of removing hair.
But when the hair is shaved, it tends to grow back quickly. You may need to shave it again within 2-3 days. Ingrown hairs can result from shaving, which may cause the skin to become painful and inflamed.
Waxing
An alternative to shaving is waxing. Unlike shaving, waxing will prevent hair regrowth for longer. However, it’s not as convenient as shaving and may cause skin irritation for those with sensitivities.
Although many people choose to wax their hair on their own, you must be careful not to apply the wax when it’s too hot—otherwise, you could burn your skin.
Sugaring
Natural, long-lasting, and less painful than waxing—that’s the promise of body sugaring. You’ll enjoy smooth, hairless skin for weeks after a sugaring treatment. This gentle removal treatment is made of lemon juice, water, and sugar. You won’t need to worry about burns from hot wax when you sugar!
Before a sugaring treatment, try to allow your hair to grow in as much as possible. This allows for more effective results.
Depilatory Creams
Forget painful instruments and hot wax—you can apply this cream directly to the skin to dissolve the proteins in the hair so that they weaken, and then the hair can simply be removed by wiping it off. You’ll feel a minor tingling on your skin as the cream takes effect, but it’s rarely painful.
Like shaving, this method only works on the surface level of the skin, so you can expect the hair to grow back quickly. Be careful not to leave the cream on for longer than directed, or apply it to areas that are not specified for use in the instructions.
Plucking
For unwanted hairs that pop up here and there, you can grab a pair of hair removal tweezers and pluck them. This quick and convenient method is one of the easiest ways to get rid of stray hairs near the mouth, eyebrows, and other areas. Tweezing is ideal for a handful of hairs, but for larger surface areas, stick to the other hair removal methods—plucking will take too long.
Laser
If you’re looking for a long-term solution to hair growth, try laser hair removal. While it’s the most expensive option, it also promises permanent results for some (but not all).
The roots of the hair are targeted and destroyed by the laser. When it regrows, it will be finer. Repeated treatments can prevent the hair from re-growing in that area; someone may need ~10 sessions before they see a difference. Results are not equal for everyone—this method works best for those with light skin and dark hair. People with light hair or dark skin will not see as impactful results from laser hair removal.
We hope that this post has given you a clearer idea of your options. You may want to try a few different methods to find which one works best for you! At the end of the day, all of these techniques will leave you with smooth, hairless skin.
