Be it a man or woman, body hair is natural also unwanted by many. Since shaved arms and legs are a trend these days, most women and some men find it a nuisance. There are several methods to remove body hair which include natural remedies, chemical treatments and physical treatments. Some work for a few days or weeks whereas others give permanent results. Continue reading for all you need to know on how to remove the unwanted hair on your body.
Easy Ways To Remove Body Hair Naturally at Home
If you’re looking for methods on how to lose body hair naturally without the use of any artificial ingredients, these work well:
1. Raw Papaya
Papayas are loaded with nutrients that are excellent in maintaining the health of the skin, and as a bonus, they contain papain which is an enzyme that can break down hair follicles and help with hair removal. What’s amazing about using papaya is that it’s also nourishing for the skin, making it suitable for people with sensitive skin. Therefore, as a hair removal and nourishing agent, papaya is one of the best natural options out there.
To make the hair removal pack, you will need one raw papaya and one raw turmeric root. Using a knife, peel the skin and cut small cubes into the papaya’s flesh. Then, using a fork, mash the cubes into a juicy pulp in a bowl. Pick up a small turmeric root and grate it with a fine grater or blend it into a powder. Alternatively, you can also use organic turmeric powder available in stores. Add a small amount of turmeric to the papaya pulp and mix well. Apply the paste and gently massage it over the skin. Allow it to stay for 20 minutes and rinse off with warm water. Repeat the remedy twice a week until the hair starts to thin. You can then wax or shave to remove the hair that’s left.
2. Turmeric
Turmeric is a natural remedy that has been used for hundreds of years by women to remove facial hair. Turmeric has multiple health benefits because of its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. It’s also rich in a powerful antioxidant curcumin which helps in reducing inflammation and fighting bacteria, thus making it an effective hair removal agent.
To prepare this pack, you will need organic turmeric powder, gram flour and sesame oil. Turmeric powder can be made by blending raw, dry turmeric in a blender until it becomes a fine powder. Alternatively, you can source it from organic remedy outlets. To make the hair removal paste, mix equal amounts of turmeric powder and gram flour in a bowl. Add sesame oil until it forms a thick paste. Apply the paste over the areas of the body with unwanted hair and allow it to stay for 30 minutes. Rinse with warm water and remove the paste with a gentle scrubbing motion. You will notice that the hair comes off along with the paste. Repeat once a week for best results.
3. Egg, Cornstarch and Sugar
The idea behind using this remedy has to do with the properties of raw eggs. They dry up into a sticky, waxy substance that traps hair and works like a perfectly natural mask. Adding corn starch and sugar speeds up the drying process and makes it easier to rip the mask out. Since eggs are natural and nourishing at the same time, this remedy can be used safely for full body hair removal by both men and women.
To prepare the mask, crack open one egg into a bowl and add one tablespoon of sugar and half a tablespoon of cornstarch. Stir and mix well until it is a uniform, and smooth paste. Apply the paste over the skin and hair and allow it to dry for about 25 minutes. Peel off the mask removing the hair in the process. Repeat it once a week for best results.
4. Oatmeal and Banana
Scrubs are a great way to remove body hair and have been used for centuries to achieve fast and effective results. Oatmeal’s grainy texture makes it an excellent exfoliating agent which not only removes hair but also dead skin cells. As commercial scrubs can have a drying effect for people with sensitive skin, a paste made of oatmeal and mashed banana is an excellent solution. Oatmeal exfoliates the skin while the banana keeps it moisturised and nourished.
To make the paste, you need to blend one ripe banana with two tablespoons of oatmeal. Apply this paste over the areas with unwanted hair and massage gently for 15 minutes. Wash off with cool water and allow it to dry naturally. This paste is good for removing hair in sensitive areas such as the face as it is gentle, hydrating and rich in antioxidants.
5. Sugar, Honey and Lemon
This remedy works similar to a paraffin waxing procedure to remove hair by making use of sugar’s sticky nature. A mixture of sugar and honey is a natural alternative to paraffin wax and simultaneously nourishes the skin along with removing hair. Lemon helps in bleaching and reduces hair re-growth in the long run.
To prepare the remedy, mix equal parts of sugar, honey and lemon juice in a metal bowl that can be heated. Heat the mixture over any source of heat until the sugar becomes a thick syrup. Add small amounts of water to control the syrup’s thickness to suit your needs. If it becomes too thin, you can add cornstarch. Apply a thin layer of cornstarch over the skin you’re about to wax to prevent the mixture from sticking to the skin. Using a wooden or plastic spatula, apply the molten mixture over the hair in the direction of its growth. While the mixture is still warm and sticky, place a waxing cloth strip over it and let it cool and harden. Rip off the mixture to remove hair like regular waxing.
Other Ways To Get Rid of Body Hair
Here are other popular methods for removing body hair:
1. Laser
Laser treatments are fast becoming popular as a procedure for removing hair from the body permanently. Men who have lighter-toned skin and dark hair especially go for it. Laser works by delivering highly concentrated light to the darkly-pigmented part of the hair follicle. The damage caused by it stops the hair from growing back. It works on hair follicles that are in the active growing phase, which means only about 10 to 30 per cent of the hair can be treated in one session. Multiple sessions are needed for the treatment to yield permanent results and in most people, it is about four to seven sessions. You can use laser hair removal for the chin, upper lip, underarms, sideburns, arms, legs and also bikini area. To get the best out of it, you shouldn’t wax or tweeze your hair for at least four weeks before the procedure and avoid getting tanned in the sun.
2. Electrolysis
Electrolysis can be used as an effective treatment to remove hair from places where waxing and shaving are not suitable such as nipples, chin, sideburns and eyebrows. The procedure uses an ultrathin needle that is inserted into each hair follicle to deliver an electrical current. The current destroys the growth centre in the hair follicle so that the hair can then be removed manually. This procedure is used to remove body hair permanently and works on all skin tones and hair colour. Electrolysis is also the only procedure that’s recognised by the FDA as a permanent hair removal method. It is not as popular as laser treatment however, due to the process being slow and painful.
3. Threading
Threading is a popular method used by women to remove hair on the face. The procedure is done by a trained practitioner who uses a twisted piece of thread and runs it over the skin to trap hair in the thread and pull it out from the roots. It is an efficient and hygienic way to remove hair from the face without the use of any chemicals or potentially harmful treatments. Unlike waxing, threading requires very minimal contact with the skin; therefore, it is a clean procedure for those who want to avoid chemicals. It can, however, cause short-term redness of the skin and acne breakouts for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
4. Waxing and Sugaring
Waxing is the most popular of the hair removal methods. It involves applying a layer of heated wax over the hair and a smooth cloth on top. The cloth is ripped away when the wax dries up, thus pulling the hair out from the roots.
Sugaring works similarly. In this procedure, a cool sugaring gel is applied over the hair to pull them out. It’s done commonly over arms, legs, armpits and bikini area, and the effects last for two to four weeks. As you get your hair waxed, over time, the hair bulb sustains damage by repeatedly being pulled out at the root. This makes it grow thinner over time and less dense. Since waxing involves the use of heated wax, it can cause short term redness or rashes for people with sensitive skin. Sugaring, on the other hand, is gentler, and there’s no risk of burns. Both the methods can hurt, however.
5. Hair-removal Cream
The hair-removal cream method is similar to shaving, but unlike in shaving where a razor cuts hair strands, the cream works by dissolving the hair chemically which is then wiped off. This is the easiest way to remove hair and ideal for those who are prone to cutting themselves while using a razor. It can be done at home but consumes more time than shaving. The first step is to check whether you have an allergy to it as some people experience itching, tingling or a burning sensation followed by rashes and other allergic symptoms. Apply a small amount of cream to the back of your hand and wait for five minutes. If you don’t show any allergic reactions, proceed with removing some hair on your lower leg. Apply the cream and leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes and scrape off with the plastic scraper that comes with it. You do this before a shower and observe the area overnight to ensure no irritation appears. Avoid using the cream around the face, breast and genitals even if you’re not allergic to it.
6. Dermaplaning
Dermaplaning is a simple process where dead skin cells and hair is shaved off gently with the use of a scalpel by a practitioner. It’s normally done on the face and is safe and painless. There is a belief, however, that it would make the hair grow back thicker. The hair which grows back can feel coarse after the shave due to it being sliced at a steep angle. The results can last for a day to a week.
Hair removal can be done either at home or by a professional. Experiment with each before settling on one that is most suitable for you.
Also Read:
Super Reasons to Wax at Home
Natural Remedies to Beat Blackheads
Important Facts of Waxing and Shaving
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