Hair Removal: Which Option is Best for You?

May 1, 2012

We’ve all been there, on the verge of humiliation due to unwanted body hair. And let’s face it, sometimes shaving just doesn’t, excuse the pun, cut it.

Well have no fear girls, I’m going to give you a few options of hair removal methods that range from cheap and easy to costly and complex. No matter what technique you end up choosing, there is a way to take control of this hassling upkeep on most budgets and of course, most pain tolerances.

Hair Removal Option 1: Waxing

Waxing is one of the most popular hair removal techniques, not to mention one of the cheaper and less painful options out there. If you haven’t been waxed before, do your research and ask friends for tips on the best places to go in your area. But be prepared to hear the best and the worst! Just because you know someone who had a bad reaction via super sensitive skin (if you do, waxing probably isn’t your best bet anyway) doesn’t mean it’s not worth a try. Some salons even offer soy-based creams. Unlike your typical wax, special cloths set the product in place and then the strips are removed. It’s special because it only sticks to hair, not skin, therefore, it produces a gentler waxing with less damage and pain when removed. Now, just like with everything else, there’s always a down side. Because soy waxing pulls out the entire hair, it can leave your follicle very exposed, so it’s recommended to always follow up wax treatments with antibacterial lotions to reduce risk of infections.

$$$ – The cost of waxing runs from about $10 for an upper lip, to $70 full legs or a Brazilian wax. Also keep in mind the procedure must be repeated every few weeks.

Hair Removal Option 2 – Laser Removal

“Zap Zap Zap!” – Nope, not the sound of a crazy game of laser tag with your boyfriend, this is the sound of unruly hairs being removed from you’re body. So, what’s actually happening? The laser produces energy that goes through the hair shaft down to the follicle, where it destroys the hair’s root, disallowing growth. Now unlike waxing, the hair does not immediately come out during a laser treatment. Instead, it weakens and falls out over time. The great part about this treatment is it can be done practically anywhere on the body. The downside – it won’t work for everyone. The best candidates are women with dark hair and light skin. The lasers won’t work on white hair, and they are much less effective on blond hair. Some methods prove to be dangerous for darker skin, but they have developed versions that do work on all skin colors, so just keep that in mind when finding a office near you. If you chose this method, it will eventually offer the reward of long term hair removal, but you must stay committed; it usually requires 5-7 sessions, with a touch-up about once a year thereafter.

$$$ – The cost greatly varies depending on where you go and what you get done. Price typically ranges between $150 and $500 per session.

Hair Removal Option 3 – Electrolysis

Commitment-phobes run while you still can! This option is not for the indecisive. Electrolysis still stands as the only method of hair removal that is permitted to be called “permanent”. What the electrolysis method does is use a tiny needle that slides down into the hair follicle until it reaches and destroys the cells that cause hair to grow. The hair will release and slide right out and it won’t grow back there again, making it’s removal permanent. This process is also safe for anywhere on the body, the most popular area being the face. Now before you stop reading and run to grab your phone to make an appointment, keep reading on for you what knew was coming…the downside (I know it may seem like I’m ruining your moment of bliss, but I’m just looking out for you!) Not only can the process be uncomfortable, (local anesthetic creams are often necessary) but it can be a long process as well. Electrolysis must be done one hair at a time so it can take up to 25 sessions. Again, before you change your mind, remember this just depends on how much hair you need removed. On the brighter side, sessions lean towards much less time!

$$$ – Final costs run anywhere between $40 and $90 per treatment, taking about 10 to 25 treatments (or more) necessary for permanent, lasting results!

So now you have some awesome options to rid yourself of unwanted body hair. Whether you’ll book an appointment today or may have to save up for awhile, the investment is definitely worth it. Just imagine waking up and impulsively deciding to wear that cute mini skirt you’ve had hanging in the closet instead of your skinny jeans without a care in the world because you know you don’t need to shave. Or utilizing that glorious extra twenty minutes in the shower that’s usually spent waiting for that awful hair remover to work it’s magic, but now giving yourself a creamy hair mask. The possibilities are endless! Trends come and go, but smooth touchable skin will always be the foundation to any great ensemble.