A Brief Overview of the Most Effective Body Hair Removal Techniques
By Donovan Baldwin
It used to be that it was only women who worried about body hair removal. These days, however, both men and women alike seem to be spending increasing amounts of money on the latest techniques to remove unwanted body hair. We're not just talking about the hair on men's faces and women's legs either. We are talking about getting rid of hair on arms, chests, backs, private areas, and faces. Many people wonder if it is possible to remove hair from such large surface areas. More importantly, is doing so safe?
The answer to both questions is, yes. Removing body hair is possible and if done correctly, and especially by a licensed professional, it is also safe.
Laser Hair Removal
If it's within your budget, the fastest way to remove unwanted body hair is by undergoing laser hair removal treatments. Although this is the most expensive approach, laser hair removal is the most effective at permanently eliminating body hair. Unlike electrolysis, where each hair follicle must be dealt with individually making the process extremely time-consuming and painful, laser therapy can impact several follicles simultaneously, which greatly speeds up the process. It's great for removing hair from the back and chest, arms and legs.
As stated already however, the costs with laser hair removal treatments are extreme. To do an area as large as the back will usually cost several thousand dollars, and that's per treatment. Several treatments are usually necessary because the laser technique can only impact hair that is currently in a growing stage. Also, there will be places where hair will regrow and although it will regrow finer and lighter, in order to be permanent, the hair follicle needs to be rendered incapable of growing new hair at all.
Hair Removal by Waxing
The next best method of removing body hair is waxing. Far less expensive than laser treatments and even electrolysis, waxing works by forcibly extracting hairs out of their shafts. Because the hair follicle is not specifically damaged, hair will regrow, but it will take several weeks for it to reappear. Repetitive application of this hair removal process may eventually affect the follicle and cause hair growth to cease, however, this is not guaranteed which is why waxing cannot be considered a permanent hair removal method.
Waxing, or sugaring if you find you are sensitive to wax or prefer an organic solution, works by applying a layer of cold or hot wax or a sugar-based mixture directly on the area where you wish hair to be removed. After allowing this mixture to harden, it is very quickly peeled away from the skin, in the opposite direction of the hair growth and, "Voila!" – the body hair is pulled free from that area. The process is repeated until the entire body surface is free of hair. It is possible to do this at home, but since most of us have a low tolerance to self-inflicted pain, you'll get better and faster results if you leave this type of work to someone else, at least for the first time or two. Now, if you can find a friend with a slightly sadistic nature....hmmm!
If you feel like it's time to have some unwanted body hair removed, whether for cosmetic reasons, sports competitions, the beach, or any other reason, go with laser therapy if you can afford it or waxing. They're the best for removing large expanses of body hair.
