Hair Removal- Which Is The Best Method For You?
Getting rid of body hairs has been a task for every woman for Centuries. Earlier it was threading or using sugar solutions which have now been replaced by waxing, epilation, laser etc. Every woman has her own preference some opt for waxing, some for shaving and a very few like to let it grow and stay natural.
No matter which method we opt for we have an obsessive relationship with hair removal. We hate it but we won’t let it go !! Nothing can come in the way of a sleeveless top or a cute LBB, not even these hairs.
With so many methods available now, it is confusing to decide which one is the best and there are so many myths and side-effects related to each one, making our decision even harder.
So, let’s just go through every method which is popularly used for hair removal and then make an informed decision.
Shaving
This is by far the most common and cheapest way of getting rid of body hairs. It is also one of the quickest method, just a few minutes in the shower and you are ready to go. What’s even better is now we have razors specially built for women, which reduces the chances of cuts and can glide through smoothly even at curves. Even though, shaving is the easiest of all it has results for a very short duration.
How to Shave?
Shaving is most effective when your skin is soft.
So, take a warm water bath and use shaving cream or foam on the area to be shaved.
Shave opposite to the direction of your hair growth.
Moisturise your skin afterward.
Replace the blade after every 10th use.
Always exfoliate before shaving to prevent ingrown hairs.
Benefits Of Shaving
Easy, cheap and quick method.
Can cover large areas like legs, hands, underarms and bikini line.
Pain-free
Side-Effects Of Shaving
Removes hairs only from the surface and lasts for only 1 or 2 days. You will have to do it every other day.
Thicker hair grows back and during initial re-growth, you will experience itching and discomfort.
There are always chances of nicks and cuts.
May lead to ingrown hairs.
Verdict
Shaving is great if you are in a hurry and don’t have the time for any other option. But I would recommend this only in cases of emergency. You don’t want to end up shaving your entire body daily even if it takes 5 minutes.
If you are looking organic solutions for a flawless skin also read: 30 Simple Home Remedies to Get a Spot Free Face
Waxing
Waxing is also a very common method of hair removal. You can visit a salon or go for DIY home kits. Waxing can be of two types- hot wax or cold wax. Cold wax gives you the convenience of quick at home results. Wax strips are readily available and you just need to warm the strips between your hands.
On the other hand, hot wax is more time-consuming. First, you heat the wax, check the temperature, apply, pull the strip, cry out of pain. You know the drill !!
Benefits Of Waxing
Long lasting effect. It takes around 1 month for the hairs to fully grow back.
If you have thick hairs continuous waxing can reduce their thickness.
It removes hairs from the roots.
Relatively cheap.
Can be performed on any body part.
It exfoliates and gives a smooth skin, even better than what shaving gives.
Always exfoliate before waxing to prevent ingrown hairs.
Side-Effects Of Waxing
It is painful. With time your tolerance levels may improve but it's still going to be painful.
You can’t get your hairs waxed again till they grow back long enough. So, time your dresses according to the length of your hair.
If you are on your period, it is going to hurt even more. So, avoid waxing when your periods are close.
Chances of redness, irritation and ingrown hairs.
Chances of infection if the same strip is used again, especially if you are going for the Brazilian wax.
Verdict
If you have thick hairs, want lasting results and can’t go for permanent hair removal (laser) then waxing is probably the best choice for you.
Hair Removing Or Depilatory Creams
There is a huge variety of hair removing creams in the market. After shaving this is the easiest and quickest method and it is pain-free. These creams contain chemicals which break the disulfide bonds present in the keratin of the hair which makes your hairs weak. The cream practically dissolves the hairs and within 10 minutes you can just wipe off all the mess.
Benefits Of Hair Removing Creams
They are pain-free.
Quick and easy to use.
Give a clean and smooth finish.
Side-Effects Of Hair Removing Creams
They contain some harsh chemicals.
They have an unpleasant smell which lingers on even after a few hours of use.
They remove hairs just from the surface and you will need to repeat after every 2-3 days.
May result in irritation and redness if you have sensitive skin. Try a patch test before using any cream or even if you are changing the brand.
Thicker hairs grow back.
Verdict
Just like shaving, I would recommend these creams as an emergency option only. Firstly, they don’t give a lasting result and secondly, they contain a lot of chemicals. In fact, I would give Shaving an extra point over these creams.
Know how you can do your hair spa at home at no cost: How To Do Your Hair Spa Treatment At Home
Epilators
If you are terrified of waxing wait till you see an Epilator. Frankly, even I was terrified of these torture machines.
So, how do epilators work?
Just like waxing, epilators remove hairs from the root. As you move the epilator over a body part it plucks the hair of that portion. Ouch !!! It’s not a myth they do hurt but just like waxing as you get used to them your tolerance level will improve.
There are two types of epilators-dry and wet. You can use a wet epilator in the shower.
How To Use An Epilator?
Hold the epilator perpendicular to the area you are epilating and slowly move it in the direction of the hairs.
If your epilator has different speed settings start with a low setting.
Do not move the epilator fast or opposite to the direction of hair growth this will leave behind hairs and only shorten the hairs not remove them from the root.
Always exfoliate before epilating to prevent ingrown hairs.
Do not press the epilator against your skin, hold it lightly and glide over skin.
Benefits Of Epilating
Epilators give a lasting effect. Just like waxing the results can last for four weeks.
However, with continuous epilation, the hairs may become softer and finer and the hairs may reduce overtime.
One time investment.
You can do epilation even on short hairs which is a drawback of waxing.
Side-Effects Of Epilating
It is painful. If you have thick and long hairs it could be even more painful
Redness, swelling, bumps, and ingrown hairs.
Verdict
If you can keep the pain factor aside epilator is one of the best temporary hair removal techniques available. Not only does it give a smoother skin and lasting results but also reduces the hair over time making them finer and softer. So, you can use a numbing gel or pain killer before epilating and eventually you won’t feel the need for these. If you have thick hairs there are special epilators available for thick hairs as well which have a stronger motor and more tweezers.
Laser Hair Removal
The first thing that will come to your mind is “this is expensive”. Yes, it is expensive!!! But if you compare it to the amount you are going to spend on waxing or removing creams over the years this method will appear to be more reasonable.
The greatest myth that surrounds Laser Hair Removal is that it results in permanent hair loss. Laser delays your hair growth to long periods, say months and makes your hair growth very fine.
But you will need maintenance sessions as well.
How Laser Treatment Works?
A laser gun is used to emit light that is absorbed by the melanin in the hair. The light energy is converted to heat, which damages the hair follicles inside the skin that produce hairs. This damage delays future hair growth.
Initially, you will require multiple sessions to reduce the hair growth and sometimes the growth may increase after the first session but after 5 or 6 sessions you will see the hairs won’t grow back for months.
Laser effectiveness depends on your skin and hair colour. The best results are for people with light skin and dark hairs. The higher the contrast between your hair and skin the better results (laser treatment for light coloured hairs is still under research) because a better contrast will ensure that only the darker hair absorbs the light. If you have a darker skin the contrast will be less and some light may be absorbed by the skin.
Benefits Of Laser Treatment
The results are very long lasting.
It is pain-free ( You might experience slight warm pinprick )
It’s close to permanent hair loss.
Side-Effects Of Laser Treatment
Redness, irritation or a slight burning sensation. The laser uses heat so you may experience these side-effects temporarily. Apply ice or any cooling gel to the affected area.
Powerful lasers are used which may cause eye injury. Always ensure wearing protective eye equipment. Especially if you are getting any area on your face treated.
Verdict
If you can afford it laser treatment is the best option available which gives almost permanent hair loss. It is fuss-free and can be done on almost any body part except anywhere close to your eyes.
Bottomline
My personal choice would be going for laser treatment. I myself opted for this technique and got a full body laser hair removal done last year. It is pain-free and safe. I haven’t experienced any side-effects except for a pinprick sensation while the laser treatment is done. One word of caution do not take a warm water bath after laser.
If you don’t want to go for Laser, epilation would be the next best thing. If I would rank the different methods in terms of preference it would be:
Laser Treatment
Epilator
Waxing
Shaving
Hair Removing Creams
Feel free to browse through my beauty tips to stay healthy and beautiful.
Would like to share your experience or give a suggestion? Please leave a comment.
