Shaving, body sugaring or a body hair removal via laser? Does it hurt? How quickly does hair grow back? The world of hair removal methods is a real jungle. On average women start removing hair at 17 and the average number of body parts where hair is being removed is three. 88% of all women remove hair from the armpits, 80% from the lower legs and 66% opt for more fresh air around the bikini area. So you are not alone if you ask yourself what the best hair removal method for you is. Here you‘ll find all the info you need to clear that jungle of hair removal methods: which hair removal methods exist, what their pros and cons are and for which areas of the body they are suitable. So you can decide for yourself, the best hair removal method is for you. And so you can take on the day with beautiful, smooth skin!
1. The quick option: shaving
You know this one for sure. Shaving is a simple method to remove body hair, because you can manage it inexpensively and quickly at home. It is suitable for any area of the body. You can use a manual shaver and simply follow the contours of your body against the hair growth. You’ll achieve a more comfortable shave and reduce the risk of razor burn by using an electric shaver like the Philips SatinShave Essential. It has spring-loaded shaving heads that perfectly adapt to your contours and thus create a smooth shave. Pros: With an electric shaver, shaving is quick and gentle on the skin. Cons: Hairs reappear quickly: armpit hair grows 0.3 mm per day on average.
2. Epilating: mess-free and long-lasting
The skin stays smooth for two to three weeks, so stubble is only visible for a short time between treatments. Epilators are more of an investment as compared to shavers, but it’s worth it for long-lasting hair removal at home. Pros:Enjoy two to three weeks of perfectly smooth skin.
Epilating is less comfortable than shaving. However, it is long-lasting and can be used on any part of the body. With a modern epilator such as the Philips Satinelle Prestige, you can remove hair without pulling on the skin – which is less painful. Its unique ceramic discs remove even the finest hairs – even those four times shorter than waxing.
Cons:Less comfortable and more cost-intensive than shaving.
Tip:Exfoliate toavoid ingrown hairs. The Satinelle Prestige comes with a body exfoliation and massage head to prepare the skin for epilating. For a more in depth look at epilating we have a guide on how to epilate.
3. Satisfying waxing
Generally all areas of the body can be depilated. But the bikini area will definitely test your pain threshold. Thanks to a large choice of cold and hot wax, treatment at home is relatively easy. Whether the pain is worth it, is a matter of opinion. Pros:Satisfyingly smooth skin for two to three weeks. Cons:Painful and, if the more comfortable salon-option is chosen, fairly costly.
Waxing is one of the better known hair removal methods however if you want to remove hair using wax, you should be able to bear pain. For waxing, typically a liquid wax is applied to your skin. As soon as it has set, it will be pulled off in one motion. A treatment at the beauty salon is more comfortable, but more expensive. Usually, hair grows back after two to three weeks.
4. Sweet sugaring: the less painful alternative
Body Sugaring can be used to remove hair on any area of the body – either at home or at the beauty salon. The costs vary accordingly. But the hair only regrows after circa two weeks, with regular treatments up to five weeks afterwards. Pros:A long-lasting hair removal that is more comfortable than waxing. Cons:Higher costs due to salon treatment, which is needed regularly at first.
Body Sugaring is similar to waxing. A warm paste made of sugar and citric acid is applied and, after cooling down, is removed. Unlike waxing the hair is pulled out in the direction of hair growth, which is a little more comfortable.
5. Laser body hair removal: the popular salon treatment
Smooth skin will only be reached after several sittings. Make sure your beauty salon informs you about the risks because the skin is being strained during the treatment and often reacts with redness and swelling. Laser slows the rate of hair regrowth making it a popular method for long term hair removal. Another popular method is IPL. Both laser and IPL can be effective solutions for removing hair long term but there are differences between the two. Pros:In the long-term hair growth is being slowed down. Cons:Costly option that may irritate the skin.
If you want to remove dark body hair, no matter where, laser treatment is a reliable but costly option. It damages the hair follicles, but is innocuous for fair hair and therefore not effective.
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