Different Hair Removal Techniques and Which One Is Better

Everyone has body hair, whether you love it, hate it, or feel indifferent about it, body hair exists for both men and women; some prefer to leave it, others choose to remove the unwanted hair by shaving, which is the most common method of hair removal. While this conventional technique is not the only one available, it can be tricky to find the best method suitable for you and your body out of a variety of hair removal techniques to choose from. Once you find the perfect solution for your unwanted hair, the results will feel blissful and satisfying, so read on to find what methods of hair removal are available, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Shaving

Cheap, easy, and quick to use, shaving is the most common solution to unwanted hair; it can be used anywhere, as long as you are careful not to cut yourself and can help in lightly exfoliating the skin. For this method to work properly, it is ideal to use a product before and after to leave the skin in its best condition possible; this includes using a shaving cream or foam before shaving and using a moisturiser or oil after you are done.

Advantages:

Can shave in the shower

Quick and easy

Cost-effective

Lightly exfoliating

Disadvantages:

Does not last very long

Might end up with cuts and razor bumps if not careful

Does not help with in-grown hairs

Waxing 

Waxing is the second common method of hair removal, and rightly so, as its benefits are universal, such as the ability to remove hair in all areas of the body and the long-lasting effects. Though this method may hurt, waxing is popularly used on sensitive areas of the body, such as the bikini; further to this, you can buy a kit and do your own waxing at home, rather than going to a professional – needless to say, it will be more difficult by yourself, but it will also be cheaper.

Advantages:

Results can last from four to six weeks

Exfoliates the skin

Can DIY at home

Can wax anywhere on the body

Helps with in-grown hairs

Disadvantages:

Could burn from the hot wax

Painful

May end up with red bumps for the next day after the session

Sugaring

Sugaring involves applying a mixture of lemon juice, sugar, and water to the skin, and then peeling it off together with the hair in the direction it grows. This method has been used since the Egyptian era, though only in the recent years has sugaring seen a resurgence due to the long-term effects it provides. As similar as it sounds to waxing, the three-ingredient formula is completely natural and different to the multiple ingredients used for waxing; also, sugaring helps to stunt the hair regrowth over time, so after a few sessions, hair may become thinner and finer.

Advantages:

Less painful than waxing

Gets rid of in-grown hairs

All natural and organic

Easy to DIY at home

Exfoliates the skin

Hair becomes thinner and finer over time

Lasts from four to six weeks

Disadvantages:

Still painful in sensitive areas of the body

May not be able to remove smaller hairs

May end up with redness for a day

More expensive than waxing

Bleach

Bleach is removing the colour of your body hair with certain chemicals, rather than getting rid of it completely, which can get a little messy and may not always work in terms of hair being hidden as well as you would want it to. This method only works on small surface areas, and using this method requires some effort, especially when it does not work the first time, as you have to try again 24 hours later. It is also ideal to carry out a patch test beforehand, at least 24 hours before application, to make sure you do not have a bad reaction to the chemicals.

Advantages:

Little to no pain

Camouflages the hair

Disadvantages:

Hair can be seen when it re-grows

Does not last very long

Can still be seen sometimes

Does not get rid of hair

Can be itchy

Depilatory Cream

Like bleaching, depilatory creams get a little messy so are best done in the bathroom, but it is a simple and cost-effective hair removal method, good for those who are just starting to remove body hair. These creams can be used to remove hair in large areas or in hard-to-reach places, because of how easy it is to use; though it is important to note how long you need to leave the cream on for as different kits require a different amount of time.

Advantages:

Painless

No risk of cutting yourself

Easy for beginners in hair removal

Easy to DIY at home

Disadvantages:

Does not last very long

Can be itchy

Epilate

Epilation can be very painful, although, the more it is used, the less it hurts; and with its long-term effects, many opt for epilation using it on large areas like legs, however, this method is not suitable for more sensitive areas, as you may end up hurting yourself more than removing the actual hair. Since hair is removed from the roots, there is a low chance of having a ‘stubble’, making the results last for weeks.

Advantages:

Lasts longer

No ‘stubble’

Can use on large areas

Lasts for weeks

Disadvantages:

Painful 

Cannot use on sensitive body parts

Laser Hair Removal

Picking up a lot of popularity, laser hair removal treatment is the current longest lasting method; it involves a technician applying a pulse of light into the pores, allowing the light energy to travel through the skin and targeting the melanin in the hair follicle, and by increasing the temperature of the follicle, the root of the hair gets destroyed, making it unable to produce hair. Since a lot of light and laser is involved in this treatment, there is a lot of aftercare required for several weeks, however, the results are worth it.

Advantages:

Minimal pain

Safe and effective

Can remove hair all over body

Results last for a very long time from years to forever

Sessions do not last too long

Disadvantages:

Need to limit sun exposure for a long time

Required to wear loose clothing for at least two days

Need to avoid swimming pools, hot tubs, steam rooms and physical exercise for two days

May experience redness and swelling

Requires multiple sessions to capture every hair

More effective if you have light skin and dark hair, or dark skin and light hair

Expensive 

With so many options to choose from, it may be difficult to pick one for yourself; however, it is worth looking through all the advantages and disadvantages to see which ones you would prefer more in terms of what benefits you will find; maybe you will end up with a new favourite method after trying a few!