There’s nothing better than the look or feeling of smooth skin after a nice, clean shave. But, shaving your body hair every other day or so can be a huge nuisance. What’s more, it costs a lot of money.
In the United States, women spend roughly $1 billion on razors per year. This equates to $10,000 to $23,000 per woman over the course of a lifetime. Luckily, shaving is no longer the only method to deal with unwanted hair.
Check out this guide to learn about the different types of hair removal.
In this article
Shaving
While many people are seeking out alternative hair removal methods to shaving, shaving remains popular for a reason. It’s quick, painless, and efficient.
Shaving works by cutting hair off at the skin level, and you won’t experience any pain unless you cut or nick yourself. By using proper shaving cream and a razor with sharp blades, you’ll decrease the chance of razor burn and post-shave irritation. Depending on the blade, you can expect to pay anywhere between $2 to $20 for a razor.
Remember, you get what you pay for, so a $2 razor is likely just going to have one or two blades that won’t give you the best shave. Most people find that even with the best of razors, their hair grows back in one to three days.
Waxing
Waxing is one of the most painful hair removal options because it removes hair at the root. However, it lasts much longer than shaving. Additionally, many people find that with consistent waxing, their hair grows back finer. Additionally, the waxing experience becomes less painful over time.
Many people prefer to wax their bikini lines and bikini areas because waxing often results in smooth, flawless skin. Additionally, waxing banishes shaving rash and results in fewer ingrown hairs.
While there are at-home waxing kits, we recommend going to a salon for waxing for the best results, especially if you plan to wax your bikini area. Depending on the area you have waxed, you can expect to pay between $20 and $100 for a wax appointment. At-home wax kits usually run from $5 to $50.
To get the best results possible, you need to wait for your hair to grow out to about 2 mm. Many people find this to be a nuisance, especially if they have a big event coming up or wish to show their legs.
Sugaring
Sugaring is a good alternative to waxing for those who want the same results but can’t handle as much pain. The process involves spreading a sugar-containing paste over the body to remove hair at the root.
And, because it’s an all-natural solution, you can even make your own sugaring kit at home. Having professional sugaring done will cost you about the same as a professional waxing. And much like waxing, it generally takes three to six weeks for your hair to grow back. Like waxing, you also have to wait for your hair to grow out for sugaring.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is often viewed as the queen of all hair removal methods. This is because it’s a permanent solution, as it destroys the hair roots with light.
For most people, some hair does grow back eventually, but the hair is usually much finer and lighter. Lasers work by depicting pigments, so they work best on people with dark hair and fair skin. The process won’t work as well on those with blonde hair or dark hair/skin.
Laser hair removal is done in sessions, and generally, people need two to six sessions to complete the process. Typically, you’ll need four to eight weeks between each session. Professional laser hair removal will typically cost you between $200 and $600, although costs can vary greatly depending on the size of the area being treated.
Once you’re done with the initial sessions, you’ll likely only need a touchup once a year.
Many people are worried about the pain associated with laser hair removal. The feeling is often compared to a rubber band being snapped against the skin. However, the process moves quickly, so you don’t have to worry about being in pain for too long.
Electrolysis
This form of hair removal is the only one that’s FDA-approved. Electrolysis works by using an electric current to destroy the root of each hair at the follicle.
Electrolysis can work for any hair or skin type, making it a great alternative to laser hair removal. However, electrolysis only removes one hair at a time, meaning the process takes much longer to complete. Generally, you’ll need 15 to 30 sessions to complete the entire process.
Epilating
Epilating involves using a handheld device that moves along the skin and acts as a pair of tweezers. It can work on all body parts and results in smooth skin that can last for up to four weeks.
However, some people dint that the process is uncomfortable in sensitive areas.
However, you may be able to do fewer sessions if you’re removing hair from a small area, such as the face or armpits. Each session lasts about 30 minutes and costs about $45. While there is a stinging sensation, whether or not you find it painful will depend on your pain threshold.
Types of Hair Removal: Time to Decide
As you can see, there are many different types of hair removal methods. Now, it’s time to decide which method is best for you. Soon, you’ll have the silky smooth skin you always dreamed of.
Check back in with our blog for more hair removal tips!
