Body hair and what you do with it is a personal matter and should always be that way. Whether you like to grow it out, trim it, or de-fluff yourself head-to-toe, your body, your decision. If you’re a fan of hair removal, but not sure which method is best for which area or which techniques are best for pain-free hair removal then you’ve come to the right place. Get your razor, wax strips and tweezers at the ready and let’s get down to de-fluffing.
How to prepare your body for hair removal
Before we get to discussing the various methods of hair removal, it’s important to note that prepping your body is an essential step to achieving silky-smooth skin. The type of hair removal you opt for will dictate how you prep your skin beforehand. Need to know what to do before booking a bikini wax, don't worry we've got you covered.
For most methods, including shaving, depilatory creams, epilating, threading and plucking exfoliating prior to hair removal is very beneficial. Using a body or facial scrub helps to remove dead skin cells and prevent ingrown hairs. For waxing and sugaring, exfoliation is still key but it is best to avoid scrubbing on the day of hair removal to avoid any sensitivity. Similarly, for laser hair removal gentle exfoliation is preferable but still very useful to help the laser light penetrate deeper and work more effectively. For IPL, is it very important to avoid any form of exfoliation up to a week before treatment.
The different methods of hair removal
Shaving
The most common method of hair removal is shaving, which involves skimming off the layer of hair that sits above your skin with a razor blade. For the best results shave with a fresh blade against the direction of hair growth and pull skin taut in areas where skin is less firm, such as your bikini line. Whether you’re de-fluffing in the shower or bath, always use a shaving gel and soak your hair for a few minutes to help soften the strands and open up the hair follicles. Avoid dry shaving as this can lead to irritation.
Pros
Cons
Waxing
Another very popular form of removing your body hair is waxing. It involves using strips of hot or cold wax that are placed over your hairs, smoothed down in the direction of hair growth and then ripped off in the opposite direction. One of the best reasons to opt for waxing is that it removes the hair from its root, so is much long-lasting method of de-fluffing.
Pros
Cons
Sugaring
A natural alternative to waxing, sugaring involves using a combination of lemon juice, sugar and hot water to pull hair out of the root. The method has been used for quite some time, having originated in ancient Egypt, and continues to be a popular form of de-fluffing today. While still a relatively a painful way to remove hair, it is normally considered as slightly less painful than waxing.
Pros
Cons
Depilatory Cream
Also known as hair removal cream, this is by far the least painful method of revealing silky-smooth skin. Coat the area you wish to remove hair from and follow the label for instructions. Normally you leave the formula on for up to 10 minutes before wiping the cream (and with it your hair) away. Always remember to do a patch test beforehand to ensure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients.
Pros
Cons
Epilating
An epilator device works by plucking individual hairs from the root by mechanically operated tweezers. Although it is ranked as one of the most painful forms of hair removal, the more you use an epilator the less it hurts and the less re-growth of hair you get. Due to the painful nature of the device start with using on less sensitive areas such as your legs. You can epilate on wet or dry skin and depending on the device you have even in the shower too, which helps loosen the hair follicles.
Pros
Cons
IPL
If you’re after a long-term form of hair removal, then IPL, which stands for Intense Pulsed Light might be the one for you. The technique involves using strong pulses of light to damage and destroy the cells that cause hairs to grow. Although it used to be a salon-only treatment, there are now at-home devices so you can do it yourself. Always remember that the area you are targeting needs to be hair-free first. Use a shaver as opposed to waxing or sugaring as the hair in the follicle needs to still be there to absorb the light from the device.
Pros
Cons
Threading
Most commonly used to shape eyebrows and de-fluff your upper lip, threading is the process of removing hair using a piece of thread typically made from cotton. The practice has been used for thousands of years by cultures worldwide. The form of hair removal removes the entire hair from the root so has amazing long-lasting results.
Pros
Cons
Laser
Another long-term way of removing hair, laser has been very popular in recent years. The key difference between laser and IPL is the type of light that is used. IPL is a broadband pulsed light source, whereas laser is a monochromatic coherent light source. Both methods target the pigment in the hair follicle to damage and stunt hair regrowth. Laser hair removal is considered to be more effective and precise than IPL, but this does come at a cost. The same as Intense Pulsed Light, remember that the area you are having treated needs to be hair-free first. Use a shaver as opposed to waxing or sugaring as the hair in the follicle needs to still be there to absorb the light from the device.
Pros
Cons
Never forget that hair removal is totally a personal preference and we are here to celebrate every choice surrounding body hair. Always remember to read and follow the instructions for at-home hair removal treatments to avoid any issues and always stop using a product or device if you experience any irritation. Happy de-fluffing!