A few years ago I looked aghast when I saw a women with think hair under her arm pits. I was thinking about my reaction whilst I removing my own hair the other day. Although women having body hair isn’t considered the social norm these days, why should a woman have remover her hair? I personally hate body hair on myself (not that there is anything wrong with it) as I cannot stand that itchy feeling when it starts to grow back and therefore love the instantaneous relief that shaving brings. I’m too much of a wimp for waxing, but may be one day I will pluck up the courage to visit a salon and have it done professionally.
I thought that I would explore some of the methods of hair removal that we use today and look at some of the possible harmful benefits these could have on our skin.
Shaving
Probably the most popular The effects of shaving are not long- lasting as you are only removing the visible hair, rather than taking it from the root and often grows back in a couple of days. Shaving hair can bring out a rash on the skin, shaving bumps, ingrown hairs and it’s very easy to cut yourself if you are rushing.
Waxing
Just as instantaneous but more painful, waxing offers the speedy removal of hair growth. However, you do have to allow for at least 2-3 cm of regrowth, so that the wax has something to stick to. It is longer lasting than shaving as the hair is removed straight from the root. Lets face it, putting hot wax directly onto the skin does have it’s potential draw backs though such as burning your skin. Perhaps try using sugar waxing or cold wax strips as an alternative, but waxing can be brutal for sensitive skin types causing irritation.
Hair removal cream
Using hair removal cream can be less softer and less extreme than waxing, however it is extremely messy and the creams smell pretty bad. The cream is full of chemicals which dissolves the hair from the skin. Regrowth is a lot less harsh than shaving, resulting in softer hair over time, There is a tendency for the creams to be left on more than the recommended time, causing burns and blisters to the skin.
Epilating
Just looking at the pincer style tweezers on these things scares me. The epilator is an electrical device that consists of rotating tweezers that pull the hair out directly from the root and has become a popular hair removal method to use at home. Overall, there doesn’t seem to be any harmful skin effects with epilation it’s more dependent on your pain threshold. I would reconsider using it in more private areas too. ouch!
Laser hair removal
A more modern technique, laser hair removal has grown in popularity in regards to its eventual long term eradication of body hair. Considered as a cosmetic procedure, this particular method doesn’t come cheap. However, it is very precise, speedy and reliable. A day after the treatment your skin will have a sunburned appearance as a result of the lasers. Blisters, scars and burns can also be endured.
All of these methods have their pros and cons, which should be weighed up when considering the best way to remove your body hair. I think if they are used properly then they are all relatively safe, it’s more dependent on your pain threshold. In regards to women removing their hair I personally don’t believe it should be a socially accepted norm at all, hair grows in certain parts of out body for a reason, it’s natural. It is down to personal preference if the individual wants to remove it or not.
Do you have a favourite hair removal technique? Do you have any hair removal horror stories? How is your pain threshold? Is waxing or epilating more your thing?
What is your opinion on women removing their body hair being a social norm, particularly in western societies?
This is an area I have not yet discovered my preferred technique for! Currently I tend to use veet easy wax jar. I have also been using their wax easy wax roll on device but it takes forever to heat up and I find it messy to use. I have used an epilator, cream and of course done shaving in the past but I haven’t yet ventured on to laser!
This is something I really want to start looking into – I use a mix of shaving, cream and waxing (professional though – I’ve tried and failed with home kits!) but I realise it isn’t the most ‘natural’ way to treat our bodies.
That said, I’m not one for the hairy mary look 😉 The hair removal cream disturbs me the most, because of the chemicals, so I’d love to find one that is a little more natural (doubt that exists though!)
I shave and wax but would love laser hair removal if I could afford it!
I currently use an epilator because it’s more affordable than waxing and in time you get really used to the pain. So it’s only worse in the beginning, then it’s great and fast. Obviously, I would love undergoing electrolysis if I had the money and the patience for it 🙂
I’ve tried epilating, waxing and shaving and shaving works best for me. I weirdly didn’t mind the pain of epilating but didn’t think it was overly effective – though a few of my friends swear by it. Like you, I can’t stand the itch of regrowth so shave every day. If I go even a day without I hate it!
I personally think hair removal should be up to the person in terms of how much or how little. Although I have to admit seeing a woman with long curly armpit hair was too much for me!
I find shaving the most easiest. I can’t be dealing with growing my leg hair to get it long enough to wax! What do you do during that time?? Too much faff and fuss to go to the salon as well.
I’ve never tried epilating or laser but I haven’t heard amazing things about it and I have quite dark hair so I doubt it would work that well for me.
I always shave as it is the quickest and I can just do it in the shower. I don’t like the shaving rash after though.
Last summer I started waxing again as I think it leaves my skin feeling less dry than shaving, plus you don’t get the nasty itchy, prickly sensation that you do when your shaved stubble is growing back (plus as my hair is dark, I always feel my legs look like chicken skin with stubble!). As I ran out of strips a couple of months ago and never got around to buying more, I went back to shaving briefly but the aforementioned stubble was driving me bonkers so I thought I’d stop wimping out and buy an epilator.
Got a brilliant online deal from Boots for a Braun Epilator 7 – have used it twice now on legs, underarms and bikini line (yes, ouch!), but the results are AWESOME! I’m a complete convert – it’s even less painful if used straight after a hot bath!
I suspect the pain really does depend on personal threshold (I confess, I usually tweezer my bikini line), but you do really get used to it (not unlike having a tattoo) and the speed/convenience can’t be beaten.
In terms of my pins, I have to say shaving. But then like a lot of Indian/Asian women, we don’t just have the legs to content with! Gah! Occasionally I’ve used creams and the only one that doesn’t smell overwhelmingly bad is one by Louis Marcel. Back in the day when Veet was Immac, I nearly ended up going to the GP out of hours service with chemical burns. Different strokes for different folks!
Great post 🙂 SO many options but i do recommend epilating, you painted a very scary picture with your review! Exfoliate before hand, get an epilator with an in-built massage function and it won’t be that bad, you get used to it, promise! Love your blog 🙂 xx
Hi Sophia, Thanks for stopping by and sharing your tips – glad that you like my blog too! 🙂 x