Many women go back and forth deciding which hair removal method is the best. The accessibility, ease, and convenience aren’t the only factors in mind. The health of the skin is often the biggest factor many consider.
The three most popular ones are wax, laser removal, and shaving. Maybe you have a similar dilemma too. To help you weigh and decide which one is the best for you, here is a breakdown of each:
Waxing
Waxing is one of the most common hair removal methods out there. It’s convenient and easily dealt with by simply setting an appointment at a waxing salon. All you have to do is show up for your appointment and get it taken care of. But if you prefer doing it home, there is a wide range of waxing products available in the market.
Pros and Cons
Because the hairs are plucked from the root, the hair grows back finer, and sometimes even less of it grows back. Waxing can be done once or twice a month, unlike shaving when it’s done after a couple of days. It’s great for achieving a smooth, hairless look.
For waxing to be effective, however, the hair should be a certain length so it can be removed properly. In other words, you might have to endure having a little regrowth or stubble before going to your next waxing appointment. You might have to coordinate your outfits accordingly.
After the waxing appointment, you may experience some sensitivity on the area, sun sensitivity, redness, and maybe even a little bleeding if it’s your first time. Bear in mind that if your skin has any inflammation, irritation, cuts, sores, and more, you might want to reschedule your appointment until your skin fully heals.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is a medical procedure that removes unwanted hair using a concentrated beam of light or a laser. Contrary to popular belief, laser hair removal treatment does not result in permanent hair removal. Instead, it postpones hair growth for a long time. For the first removal, multiple sessions are required, and maintenance treatments may follow.
Pros and Cons
Although it doesn’t permanently get rid of hair, it drastically reduces the regrowth. Most patients are required to have the treatment every four to six weeks. You’d also need between two to six sessions before enjoying the full benefits of laser treatment.
Similar to waxing, you may experience some temporary redness, sensitivity, and swelling. To add, it may also darken or lighten the area. However, there are ways to prepare to minimize these. This includes avoiding exposure to the sun, waxing, and plucking, as well as blood-thinning drugs, and be sure to shave the region to be laser-treated the day before the procedure.
Shaving
Shaving is ideal for the modern-day woman that’s on the go. Having a busy lifestyle with juggling work and home life, there may not be enough time for hair removal. A quick and effective method to get the job done is shaving. It’s accessible, quick to do, and can be done any time of the day. A quick shave in the morning before heading to work sounds like the perfect setup for many.
Pros and Cons
A razor can be the savior on a busy day. You can go on with your day after a fast shave before leaving the shower. Is this, however, a long-term viable solution? It’s a quick, easy, painless, and accessible answer to your hairy problem. It can even get rid of dead skin cells lingering on the surface. However, when not done right and with the right tools, it can be harmful to your skin. Shaving can cause razor burns, skin irritation, cuts, dark underarms, and ingrown hairs, especially if you use a blunt blade.
However, there are ways to prep and give aftercare to your skin to avoid the downsides of shaving. Naturally, the skin’s top layer is lefts vulnerable and exposed after hair is removed. On top of that, it comes in contact with an abrasive object such as a razor. To prevent stress on your skin as much as possible, apply a shaving cream or gel before shaving. This helps the razor glide smoothly instead of tugging at hairs that get caught up in it. Be sure to exfoliate every other day too to maintain smooth and ingrown hair-free skin.
All hair removal methods are valid. Whichever method is employed is entirely up to the person. Individual differences impact which hair removal method is best. Their lifestyle, growth rate, skin type, and overall preference of a person determine their choice of hair removal. As long as prep and aftercare are done religiously and without fail, a person can be able to continue enjoying the benefits of their chosen hair removal method.