Types of Hair Removal

Both men and women have areas of their body where they have unwanted hair.  To combat this, a hair removal system is generally employed.  Various people have preferences as to which method of hair removal is best.  Some even prefer one type on one part of the body and another type on another part of the body.  But, before making a determination as to what system will be best for you, you should consider all the possibilities and weigh their advantages and disadvantages.  Making an informed decision as to how to affect hair removal will ensure you get the best results for your skin type and hair type.

Shaving is one of the most popular forms of hair removal for both men and women.  Men tend to shave their face while women tend to shave their legs, underarms and bikini area.  The benefits to shaving are that the process is typically pain free.  Also, most people can shave without having many skin irritations or ingrown hairs.  Even if there is an occasional issue with skin sensitivity, it generally does not last long.  However, the drawbacks are that over time, shaving can get expensive and you have to shave every couple days at a minimum to help control hair growth. 

Depilatory creams are another form of hair removal.  Most men do not use depilatory creams, even on their back or chest.  This is because the hair is coarser there and it is often ineffective.  Also, depilatory creams can not be used on more sensitive areas of the body and is not recommended for the face.  Women typically use depilatory creams for hair removal on the legs, which is the safest way to use these.  The advantage to using depilatory creams is that the results last for a longer period of time because the hair is removed from the root.  The biggest disadvantage to this is the use of harsh chemicals that can have long lasting skin irritations.  Also, because this hair removal method is not recommended for sensitive areas, it is usually not a complete hair removal system.

A hair buffer mitt is an option that is primarily used by women for hair removal.  This is where a rough surfaced mitt is used and the surface is rubbed in a circular motion to extract hair.  The advantages are a low cost and a pain free process.  Also, the skin is usually very smooth and soft after use.  However, the disadvantages tend to outweigh the advantages for this hair removal system.  Often hair grows back quickly, even more so than shaving.  If you rub the skin too hard, your skin can get irritated.  Also, for women who have darker hair, you can often see a shadow beneath the skin which often defeats the purpose of hair removal.  A buffer mitt is also only recommended for use on the legs so is not useful for all areas.

Electrolysis and laser hair removal systems are popular for permanent solutions to unwanted hair.  The main advantage to these hair removal systems is the permanence of it.  Once the process is complete, you will no longer have to worry about hair growing back.  This is great for those who want a no fuss hair removal solution.  The biggest disadvantage to this is the expense.  Sessions for electrolysis and laser hair removal can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars and often takes more than one session for the hair loss to be permanent.  Most people find this cost prohibitive.  Also, the process can be uncomfortable and even painful including having skin irritation for several weeks after the procedure.

Waxing has been a hair removal process that has been around for a long time.  The advantages to waxing include the amount of time it lasts and the cost.  If you wax at home and make your own wax, each application can cost a few cents.  Also, you can wait two to six weeks before needing to wax again.  One of the disadvantages of using waxing for hair removal is the discomfort involved.  Forcibly removing the hair from the root can be a painful process though it lasts a short time and gets easier with each application.  Also, red bumps can occur and there is a chance of increased potential for ingrown hairs.  However, if waxing regularly, these side effects will diminish in time.