Razor blades can cause cuts and burns if not used carefully.
There are various ways to remove unwanted hair and each has its positives and negatives. Shaving, the more traditional method, is often a hassle because unwanted hair reappears very quickly. The razor can also be damaging in hard-to-reach places like the armpits, leaving nicks and cuts if it’s blunt or if the shaver isn’t careful. The commercial market has responded to the desire for easier methods of hair removal by introducing many alternatives to shaving.
Many women remove excess body hair before putting on a bikini.
Depilatories, which are creams or lotions, are a hair removal method that can be much easier than shaving. They include chemicals like thioglycolic acid that work to dissolve hair on the surface of the skin. Unless the person’s skin is very sensitive, this method has an advantage over shaving because it does not irritate the skin or risk cutting like a razor blade. Hair removed with depilatories generally stays loose for one to four days, about the same as waxing.
Over-the-counter creams and lotions are an easy method of hair removal.
Waxing has a longer-lasting effect than shaving or waxing because it removes hair from the base of the hair follicle rather than the surface of the skin. This method of hair removal takes four to eight weeks before the hair grows back and the process must be repeated. Waxing also smoothes the skin and hair growth is usually finer. Waxes can be made at home or at a spa and are available in many varieties. They can be designed to be applied hot, warm or cold, or using pre-waxed paper strips.
Waxing is a popular hair removal method.
Electrolysis is a technique considered permanent. Using a specially charged needle, electrolysis exposes hair follicles to an electrical current that kills the hair-producing cell. This method of hair removal is not always permanent, because new hair-producing cells are sometimes created to replace the dead follicle.
Laser hair removal is another effective method of hair removal, although it is usually very expensive. This procedure is performed by a physician or salon licensed to use the laser instrument. A laser beam is used to damage hair follicles, slowing down hair growth. The results are usually long-lasting, but are not considered permanent.