Hair Removal: A Complete Guide to Smooth, Long-Lasting Results

A woman’s work is never done and hair removal can take up a lot of time. Men too may be interested in the various options available, as personal grooming becomes more important for both sexes.

Waxing

If you’re fed up with endless shaving, waxing can be an inexpensive medium term option. It may feel strange having hot wax spread on your body, and you may have to hold your breath while the waxed strips which have been applied are then ripped off, but it isn’t as painful as it sounds. It is also very effective at pulling the hair up from the roots and you shouldn’t have to repeat for another 3 to 6 weeks.

Part of this time will be to allow the hair to regrow partially as it has to be at least ¼ inch long before waxing. The area will be red and bumpy for a very short while afterwards and there is a risk that the follicles can become infected, but this risk reduces the more often you have waxing done. It can also be done at home or by a beauty therapist.

Depilatory Creams

Another do-it-yourself option is over the counter depilatory creams. These work by dissolving the hair, and are best for legs, underarms and bikini area.

There are special formulations for the face and there are also prescription creams which don’t remove the hairs, but slow down growth and produce finer and less visible hair. Possible side effects are an allergic reaction to the creams.

Laser

This can be a big investment as you usually need 6-12 treatments to see results, but they will be permanent, saving you huge amounts of time and money in the future. The laser works by destroying the roots of the hair with a strong beam of light.

It works best on those with dark hair and light skin. A small amount of regrowth is necessary between treatments, and you will also have to stay out of the sun during the treatment period to avoid pigmentation. Possible side effects are swelling or redness and very rarely scarring or burning. You do need to go to a reputable practitioner.

Electrolysis

This is best for small areas like the upper lip or chin as it takes a long time. A small needle is inserted into each follicle to destroy the root with an electric current. Treatments are every 1 to 2 weeks until the hair is gone. Possible side effects include redness, swelling and scarring.