Women and men around the world share the same battle against unwanted body hair. Body hair may be a completely natural part of being human, but there are few things more satisfying than smooth, beautiful skin. Luckily, there are numerous hair removal methods available to tackle that stubborn body hair on your face, arms, underarms, legs or bikini line. What works for one person may not work for another, so it’s important you consider your lifestyle and budget when choosing the perfect hair removal technique for you.
Shaving
Remember the first time you shaved? It probably felt like a sign you were growing up. Although most teenagers and adults rely on shaving to get rid of their unwanted hair, it may not work best for everyone because shaving merely cuts off the hairs at skin-level, leaving the root intact.
Shaving is relatively painless (as long as you’re careful) and rather inexpensive, depending on the type of blades and shaving cream you use. Unfortunately, the results are short-lived with stubble reappearing in as little as a day.
Waxing
Waxing is a reliable hair removal option for individuals who only want to devote half an hour or an hour to hair removal every few weeks rather than ten minutes to shaving every day. It is widely regarded as the most painful hair removal technique, as the wax strips cling to individual hairs and rip them out by the roots. However, the longer you continue waxing, the thinner your hair gets and the less painful the practice becomes.
Depending on if you choose to wax at home or visit a professional esthetician, pricing can vary. Professional waxing typically starts at $15 depending on the area, while home kits start at about $5. You’ll need to give your hair time to grow out before the wax can adhere to it. After waxing, hair usually grows back within three to six weeks.
Depilatory Cream
Depilatory creams are a painless, blade-free option for those who hate razor burns and cuts resulting from shaving. This chemical cream dissolves the hair at the skin level or just below, allowing hair to quite literally be wiped away within a few minutes. While it works wonderfully on those with thin hair, individuals with coarser hair may have a harder time getting smooth, beautiful results.
Depilatory creams usually have an unpleasant odor and cause a slight tingling sensation when used, but they remain one of the cheapest hair removal options. Unfortunately, if you have sensitive skin or leave the cream on too long, you may experience pain or even chemical burns.
Laser
Laser hair removal is an increasingly popular method for attaining prolonged or permanently smooth, hairless skin. The laser detects pigment to target hair, making it ideal for people with dark hair and light skin. Unfortunately, this also means those with light-colored hair will not receive the same results as those with dark hair, and people with dark skin may wish to avoid this method entirely as they could experience skin damage.
Laser hair removal veterans often describe the pain associated with the experience like a rubber band is being snapped against your skin, or it may produce a warming or burning sensation. Discuss the method of laser hair removal with potential providers ahead of time to ascertain the potential for discomfort prior to scheduling. It may be best to choose a different technique if you have a low tolerance for pain. Although laser hair removal is expensive and requires multiple sessions initially, touch-ups may be required as little as once per year.
Electrolysis
Want permanent or near-permanent hair removal fast? Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved hair removal technique that destroys the hair follicle with electrical currents. Electrolysis works on any hair type, color or skin tone and is relatively inexpensive per appointment– one half hour session may cost roughly $50.
To maximize the effectiveness of this type of hair removal, electrolysis destroys one follicle at a time, meaning up to 30 sessions may be required to achieve your desired results. For this reason, electrolysis is perfect for the face or bikini line, but less effective for legs.
Help Others Get the Smooth Skin They Want with a Career in Esthetics
Are you ready to take your passion for skincare and makeup to the next level? If you love feeling beautiful and want to help others achieve the same feeling, it may be time to consider a career in esthetics! At Houston Training Schools, our undergraduate certificate of esthetics program allows you to get real-life, hands-on experience with clients as you learn and grow into a professional esthetician. In as little as seven months, you can take your skills into the world of hair removal, makeup artistry and more! To learn more about our programs, contact us online or call 877-640-4747 today!
