6 Most Popular Hair Removal Methods of Explained

📅 November 8, 2024 ✍️ By Jacob Hill ⏱️ 3 Mins Read 🗂️ Blog 🕒 Last updated: November 8, 2024

Hair Removal Methods Explained | What are your options?

Hair removal methodstools

Well, there are a few questions to consider:

When are you expecting your results?
What is your budget?
How much maintenance are you able to commit to?
What will the effects be?

In order to make this process a little easier for you, we’ve researched the pros, cons, and facts to consider when making your selection.

1. Epilation (ep-i-la-tion)

Process: The hair is dissolved or cut flush with skin. The root of the hair remains intact below the surface of the skin. There is no effect to the growth rate, texture, or density of growth.

Common forms of depilation are razor shaving, electric shaver, epilation cream such as Nair ™.

Longevity: 24hrs – 72hrs.

Pricing: $

Frequency: As often as needed.

Pros:

Convenient.
Suitable for all hair types.
No wait periods.
Low cost.

Cons:

Hair has sharp tips when growing back.
Risk of cuts in hard to reach or contoured areas.
Chemical burns can occur if skin is not properly assessed prior to treating with creams.
Can cause ingrown hairs, razor burn, and/or skin irritation.

Depilation (dep-i-la-tion)

Depilation refers to the process of physically pulling the hair and root from the hair follicle in the skin. The process removes hair growth that is visible at the surface of the skin. Depilation can have a mild effect on the regrowth depending on the stage in which the hair is removed. The most positive effect is seen on active hair growth.

Professional Methods of Depilation

2. Waxing

Process: Warm wax solution is applied in sections over the hair/skin. The wax and adhered hair is then swiftly pulled from the skin.

Longevity 2-3 weeks.

Price: $$

Frequency: 4-6 weeks or until hair is ¼ inch.

Pros:

Suitable for all hair types.
Immediate results.
Softer hair growth.
Minimize occurrence of ingrown hairs.

Cons:

Must wait for the hair to grow back to the appropriate length.
Can be painful in sensitive areas.
Down-time 24hrs: no swimming, sweating, fragranced products, sun exposure.
Some sensitivity and mild swelling may occur following the treatment. Can take up to 48hrs to completely calm.

3. Threading

Processthe hair follicle

Longevity: 2-3 weeks.

Price: $

Frequency: 3-4 weeks. The hair must be visible at the surface.

Pros:

Price point.
Express service.
No risk of allergic reaction to product.

Cons:

Risk of cross contamination if thread is being anchored in the technician’s mouth.
Friction burns can occur in sensitive areas.
Hair may not be completely removed from its follicle and therefore grows back sooner than expected.

4. Sugaring

Processplacement

Longevity: 3-4 weeks.

Price: $$

Frequency: 4-6 weeks. Sugaring only requires 1/8 inch of hair growth and can be done as soon as 2 weeks post service.

Pros:

Less length required for removal.
Organic formulation.
Suitable for all skin types.

Cons:

Uncommon service, difficult to source a professional technician.
Service timing takes longer than waxing.
Most effective on fine hair.

5. Laser/IPL

Process: Hair is reduced by destroying the root of the hair using a light energy. There are slight variances in IPL vs Laser, but both deliver permanent reduction in hair growth rate, density, and thickness.

Longevity: 5+ years

Price: $$$

Frequency: 4-8 weeks. Until desired results (average 10-12 for max. results).

Pros: