7 ways to get rid of unwanted hair quickly
7 Hair removal options include shaving, waxing, depilatory cream, and more.
Shaving:
Shaving is one of the cheapest, quickest, painless, and most easily accessible methods of getting rid of body hair, resulting in smooth skin instantly. It takes only a few minutes to cover large areas, such as the legs, and this can be done in the shower as well. Any part of the body can be shaved. It is advised to lubricate the skin with shaving gel, shaving foam, soap, or shower gel, and then, shave the skin to achieve better results. Always moisturize post-shaving. Small nicks and cuts may occur, but they usually heal quickly without scarring. Those with extremely sensitive skin may develop razor bumps. Using a lubricant while shaving, especially the one with natural anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe vera can reduce the risk of razor bumps, nicks, and cuts. Since shaving only cuts the hair above the skin, it grows back very quickly, hence would have to be repeated every few days. Shaving also has a risk of developing ingrown hair.
Depilatory cream:
Depilatory creams are also called hair removal creams. They contain chemicals that break down the keratin bonds of the hair, making the hair so weak that it can be wiped or rinsed off. They are inexpensive and easily available. Most depilatories take less than 5-10 minutes to work (this varies with each manufacturer; hence, it is advised to strictly follow the instructions that come with the product). It can be used over any part of the body and best for parts of the body with coarse, thick hair like the arms, legs, and underarms. There are gentler formulations specifically available for sensitive areas like the face and bikini line. Since depilatory creams only work on the surface of the skin and not the roots of the hair, the hair grows back quickly. Hence, this may have to be repeated every week or every few days depending on the hair growth rate of the individual. Depilatory creams often have an unpleasant odor, which some may not be able to tolerate. Those with sensitive skin may develop redness or allergic reactions after using the cream. In case of an allergic reaction, depilatory creams should be avoided and a consultation with a dermatologist may be required.
Waxing:
Waxing is not as quick as shaving or depilatory creams, but the results last 3 weeks or more. Waxing can cause pain and discomfort. It usually takes longer to remove hair and is usually done by a professional, which can be expensive; however, several self-waxing strips are also available for people to be able to wax their body on their own at home. Waxing can be done all over the body, including the face. Warm, melted wax is applied to the skin in strips and pulled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth. The wax adheres firmly to the hair and heat causes the hair follicles to dilate slightly, resulting in the entire hair, including the root, to be removed. With regular waxing, since the entire hair with the root is removed, the new hair that grows out would become weaker over time and hence become easier and less painful to wax.
Those with extremely sensitive skin can develop significant redness, irritation, and swelling after waxing. Waxing is contraindicated when the individual is undergoing other skin treatments like skin peels, topical medications, or laser treatments. Hence, it is advised to consult the doctor regarding the same. There is a risk of developing ingrown hair with regular waxing. This can be minimized by thoroughly exfoliating the skin before waxing to remove dead cells and impurities that can block the hair follicles resulting in ingrown hair. There is also a risk of infection following waxing if proper hygiene practices are not followed. The hair must regrow at least a quarter of an inch before waxing can be repeated, which means a person would have to go through a period of having body hair before they can wax again. However, shaving and depilatory creams may be used alternately as they work with any hair length.
Sugaring:
Sugaring is an ancient technique of hair removal, which has now regained popularity. It may be done at home or by a professional. It uses a simple recipe of sugar, lemon juice, and water to create a paste, which can be made at home as well. The paste is applied over the skin and then pulled off in the opposite direction of hair growth. Like waxing, the hair is pulled off from the roots, results last 3-4 weeks and the hair must regrow to at least a quarter of an inch before sugaring can be repeated. Sugaring is less painful and less damaging to the skin than waxing.
Threading:
Threading is ideal to remove hair from small areas like the face. It removes the hair from the root. It is very precise, hence ideal to shape the eyebrows. The process is fairly quick, it involves using a thread to pluck out several hairs at once and is typically done by a professional. The results can last 3-6 weeks but can vary depending on the hair growth. Some people have regrowth of hair over their face very quickly, especially if there are hormonal disorders, requiring threading to be repeated more often. Pain, discomfort, and redness are common during threading. Those with overly sensitive skin may develop significant redness, swelling, and irritation.
This is a method of hair removal in which an electrical current is sent through a hair follicle. The current will damage the follicle and prevent hair growth. It is a permanent method of hair removal. This must be done by a licensed dermatologist and needs several sittings.
Laser hair removal:
It is a method of hair removal in which a concentrated beam of light (laser) is used to remove unwanted hair. This must be done by a licensed dermatologist and needs several sittings.