Comparing Hair Removal Methods

Removing unwanted hair is something we all spend time doing, from giving ourselves smooth legs and tidy bikini lines, to eliminating the embarrassing chin hairs or upper lip fuzz. But with so many options for hair removal, how do you choose the best one for you?

Shaving

The most common approach to hair removal, shaving is simple and requires the least amount of equipment. Razors are cheap and easy to pick up, and shaving can be done anywhere.

On the other hand, its effectiveness is limited – you usually have to shave every day or every couple of days. Razor burn and ingrown hairs can be a literal pain to deal with, and no one enjoys stubble.

Waxing

More painful than shaving, waxing has slightly longer lasting results thanks to pulling the hair out by the roots, giving you smoother results and softer regrowth.

One of the downsides to waxing is that you have to wait for your hair to grow long enough before your next treatment. Waxing at home can be effective, but may require some contortions to make sure you get all those stray hairs!

Epilation

Epilating involves using a device to pull hairs out by the root. Like waxing, it gives smooth results and soft regrowth, but it also works on shorter hairs than required for a wax.

The big downside to epilation is the pain. By all accounts it is the most painful method of hair removal – much more so than waxing, thanks to its continuous cycle of gripping and pulling the hairs. Many people also complain of ingrown hairs after epilating.

IPL

IPL uses a broad light spectrum to create light and heat energy that destroys the hair follicle. Less painful than epilation and longer-lasting than shaving or waxing, IPL is often a salon-only treatment.

The downsides of IPL are that it can take a long time to be effective, due to the broad-spectrum of light not being able to penetrate into the skin particularly deeply. It’s also not especially effective on thick or coarse hairs.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser Hair Removal uses targeted beams of laser light to destroy the hair follicles. It is faster and more precise than IPL, with the laser penetrating deeper into the skin and effectively targeting the follicle.

Salon treatments can be extremely costly, but at-home Laser Hair Removal has become just as effective. Some people find the treatments to be painful, so choosing the right salon or device where you can set the comfort level is important.

If you are still unsure about which hair removal treatment may be for you why not have a look at the benefits of laser hair removal here?