Smooth and shiny skin is a dream of every woman. But, unfortunately, nature doesn’t care about aesthetic aspects. Hair on human bodies often becomes a matter of concern, inconvenience, and even embarrassment. Fortunately, various methods of removing unwanted hair exist, and the most common ones will be reviewed here.
Shaving
What is shaving?
Shaving is one of the most widespread options for deleting hair on any body part with the help of a razor. It is also the most accessible method common among people of all sexes and ages.
Top facts
- Men began shaving facial hair around 20 thousand years ago, while the first safety razor for women and the trend on smooth skin gained momentum at the beginning of the 20th century.
- Cutting hair with a blade does not make it thicker. According to the FDA, “Contrary to popular belief, shaving does not change the texture, color, or growth rate of hair.”
- It is not recommended to use cold water for wet shaving.
- If you have sensitive skin and want to avoid skin irritation, it is better to opt for shaving gel rather than foam or soap.
How long does it take?
It depends on the area one needs to shave. On average, men’s shaving takes 5-10 minutes, while women need from 5 to 30 minutes to remove unwanted hair.
How to prepare for shaving?
No special preparations are required. You just need a razor, shaving product, warm water, and room to complete the procedure. Men might also find a shaving brush useful.
How much does it cost?
Everything depends on the items you prefer, namely, the cost of a razor/shaving machine/electric razor and supplies for applying on the skin, for example, shaving cream or gel. On average, the kit cost may vary from $15 to $150.
Pros and cons
- Fast and simple
- Pain-free
- Affordable
- Smooth skin for 1-2 days only
- Possible irritation after the procedure
- High probability of being injured by razor
Laser Hair Removal
What is laser hair removal?
It is a process of removing hair by demolishing cells containing the melanin pigment with laser light.
Top facts
- The procedure does not cause skin sores.
- You can consider this technology for any body zone, including the face, except for eyelids.
- The effect depends on hair color.
- One session might lead to a satisfactory outcome only on a small area or for a limited number of hairs.
- This service is safe and pain-free.
- Hair removal with laser equipment is suitable for all skin tones.
How long does it take?
Laser hair removalBrooklyn
How to prepare for laser hair removal
- Steer clear of sunbathing for around two weeks before visiting a specialist.
- Delete all hair from the zone that will be treated with a razor.
- Stop taking antibiotics 14 days before the session.
- Do not apply products containing alcohol for at least one week prior to the laser hair treatment in NYC.
How much does it cost?
Removing hair with intense pulsed light costs roughly $250/session.
Pros and cons
- Absence of painful sensations
- Effectiveness
- Prevention of ingrown hairs
- Safety
- Possible permanent hair reduction
- Cost
- Restrictions during the preparatory period
- Low effectiveness for light/gray hair
Plucking Hair
What is plucking hair?
It is the process of removing unwanted hair by mechanically pulling it out with the help of tweezers, for example. This method is more suitable for removing a few hairs, such as plucking eyebrows.
What is plucking hair?
This technique is applied mainly for facial hair, for example, chin hair in women. Other areas include nipples, stomach and bikini line, toe hair, etc.
Top facts
- Tweezing in sensitive areas and on moles may be dangerous.
- The process may lead to the growth of additional hair.
- It is recommended to steam out the skin before using tweezers.
- Brow and upper lip zones are the most popular for plucking.
How long does it take?
It all depends on the area and the amount of hair you want to be plucked. The pain barrier also matters. The average time takes from 5 to 30 minutes.
How to prepare for plucking hair?
Take a shower or steam out the skin. Sterilize the skin and the tool you are going to use.
How much does it cost?
If you do it yourself, you need tweezers, the cost of which varies from $5 to $40. In a beauty salon, you can pay $20-$50.
Pros and cons
- Rather long-lasting effect
- Low cost
- Convenience
- Painful
- May lead to ingrown hair
- Not suitable for large zones
Depilatories
What is depilation?
It is a procedure aimed at hair removal from the surface of the skin with depilatory creams, which do not affect the inner part of the hair and its root.
Top facts
- Hair will grow slower if removed around two weeks after periods.
How long does it take?
Chemical depilatories
How to prepare for depilatories?
No special preparations are needed. Just make sure that you don’t have allergies. It is better to apply the hair removal cream to a small area and see the skin reaction.
How much does it cost?
As usual, such a procedure is done at home. Therefore, you must consider only the cost of a depilatory kit, which can vary from $5 to $50.
Pros and cons
- Rather long-lasting effect
- Pain-free
- Quite safe
- The probability of hair ingrowth, allergies, and irritation
Waxing
What is waxing hair removal?
Wax depilatorieshair removal
Top facts
- The effect of waxing lasts up to 1.5 months.
- New hair becomes thinner and less visible.
- It is one of the most effective and popular ways to get skin free from hair.
How long does it take?
As is the case with any other hair removal procedure, everything depends on the area and the number of zones treated. The time varies from 15 minutes to 2 hours.
How to prepare for waxing?
The length of your hair must be at least 4-5 mm. Therefore, it is not recommended to shave it for a couple of weeks. Avoid sunbathing a few days before the procedure. Use scrubs a day earlier. If possible, take a hot shower right before waxing hair removal, especially if you do it at home.
How much does it cost?
In salons, the cost of this service will be $20-$300, with consideration to the number of zones. If you want to do it yourself with the help of wax strips, you will need to buy a waxing kit, probably, with a wax machine included, which will cost you $20-$80. According to Business Insider, “At-home waxing kits are a great way to achieve long-lasting hair removal at home.”
Pros and cons
- Long-lasting result after one session
- Removes hair with roots
- Changes the structure of new hair for the better
- Painful
- The need to wait until the hair grows again
- Skin irritation
Sugaring
What is sugaring?
It is a rather natural hair removal method implying the application of sugaring paste.
Top facts
- Sugaring for hair removal is one of the oldest approaches to getting silky skin.
- If made regularly, this procedure reduces the number of new hairs.
- It makes skin softer.
- Every new session is less painful.
How long does it take?
Removing hair from the legs will take around an hour. Considering that this zone is the biggest, pulling hair in other zones will take less time.
How to prepare for sugaring hair removal?
Preparations
How much does it cost?
If you visit a specialist, their work will cost you $15-$100 per zone. For doing sugaring at home, you need to buy a special paste, which will cost $20 and more. For sure, it is possible to make it yourself from natural ingredients to spend even less, but this is not recommendable.
Pros and cons
- Effectiveness
- Moderate painful sensations
- Minimal risk of allergies
- Affordable price
- Ingrown hair
- Takes longer than waxing
Electrolysis
What is electrolysis hair removal?
During this type of treatment, the hair follicle is destroyed by means of electrical current.
Top facts
- The American Medical Association declared electrolysis as the only permanent hair removal technique.
- You must be especially careful with the choice of a specialist to avoid scars and pain.
- Hair electrolysis is a perfect way for men to create a flawless beard line.
How long does it take?
One session will take no more than an hour because of unpleasant sensations during the process. The number of sessions depends on individual peculiarities, but be ready to attend a specialist during no less than 2-4 months.
How to prepare for electrolysis hair removal?
Forgo removing hair from the zone you are going to treat for at least two weeks. Drink more water a couple of days before. Avoid drinking alcohol 24 hours before the procedure.
How much does it cost?
The average costsession
Pros and cons
- Deletes hair forever
- Cheaper than laser treatments
- Good for any skin and hair type/color
- Painful
- Time-consuming course
- Risk of scars and burns if conducted by an amateur
Medications and Unwanted Hair
To say goodbye to facial hair for good, some women use drugs that regulate the production of androgen in the body. One of them is Spironolactone, but it is possible to use it only if prescribed by a doctor since the uncontrolled intake of pills may lead to unwanted consequences.
Another reliable way to get done with the problem is to apply the cream Vaniqa. It contains eflornithine, which works by blocking the action of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase, found in hair follicles and necessary for hair growth. The cream is applied to the skin, usually around the lips and on the chin. Eflornithine only slows hair growth in women, yet it does not remove hair. So, other methods, such as sugaring, must be continued during its use.
