Well we all know that shaving and waxing are great at-home options for hair removal, each with their benefits and consequences. Shaving is obviously the most cost-effective and painless method of hair removal, but also lasts the least amount of time. Let's explore some other options you may want to explore as Spring approaches and bathing suit season creeps up on us.
WAXING. A process by which hot wax is spread over the desired removal area with a paper or fabric pressed into the wax. When the wax is cooled, the paper is swiftly pulled away from the skin, taking the hair with it. Unfortunately traditional waxing methods can be very messy and somewhat painful if not done by a professional. The benefit to waxing, however, is that over time, it actually reduces the amount of hair and coarseness, allowing more and more time to pass between treatments. At-home kits are available, but I wouldn't recommend them for men's hair removal. Unless you are very experienced, or willing to make a major error, leave the waxing to the professionals.
CHEMICAL. This became an at-home trend very quickly with products like Nair, Nads, and Veet released over the last 20 years, with their effectiveness constantly under debate. The process is all too convenience, and results tend to not be consistent. SURGI CARE makes a fairly good, inexpensive 3-step cream system which is great for hair removal on the arms and legs. If you have very sensitive skin, I would shy away from this method.
$10 - Ulta Beauty www.ulta.com
LASER. This method involves aiming tiny pulses of light into the follicle to stop hair growth. This is the newest technology, and is generally the most expensive AND the most permanent. At-home systems are available, but are extremely expensive and time consuming. Most high-end spas are now offering laser treatments as part of their menu of services.
There are other forms of hair removal including threading (usually reserved for eyebrows) and electrolysis (usually reserved for unwanted facial hair on women), but they aren't viable options for men. My advice: Waxing is a great option as far as afford ability, length of time it takes for regrowth, and treatment time for the entire body, but for best results in your private areas, stick to the razor for its speed and ease of use!
WAXING. A process by which hot wax is spread over the desired removal area with a paper or fabric pressed into the wax. When the wax is cooled, the paper is swiftly pulled away from the skin, taking the hair with it. Unfortunately traditional waxing methods can be very messy and somewhat painful if not done by a professional. The benefit to waxing, however, is that over time, it actually reduces the amount of hair and coarseness, allowing more and more time to pass between treatments. At-home kits are available, but I wouldn't recommend them for men's hair removal. Unless you are very experienced, or willing to make a major error, leave the waxing to the professionals.
CHEMICAL. This became an at-home trend very quickly with products like Nair, Nads, and Veet released over the last 20 years, with their effectiveness constantly under debate. The process is all too convenience, and results tend to not be consistent. SURGI CARE makes a fairly good, inexpensive 3-step cream system which is great for hair removal on the arms and legs. If you have very sensitive skin, I would shy away from this method.
$10 - Ulta Beauty www.ulta.com
LASER. This method involves aiming tiny pulses of light into the follicle to stop hair growth. This is the newest technology, and is generally the most expensive AND the most permanent. At-home systems are available, but are extremely expensive and time consuming. Most high-end spas are now offering laser treatments as part of their menu of services.
There are other forms of hair removal including threading (usually reserved for eyebrows) and electrolysis (usually reserved for unwanted facial hair on women), but they aren't viable options for men. My advice: Waxing is a great option as far as afford ability, length of time it takes for regrowth, and treatment time for the entire body, but for best results in your private areas, stick to the razor for its speed and ease of use!
