When I started middle school, I began to notice some changes in my life. Sure, there were the obvious things that everyone could see me going through, such as being on a new campus. But there were also some more personal changes, one of which was a dark fuzz underneath my arms.
I began to realize how other girls would lift their arms to grab a textbook and there would be little to no hair under their arms. This realization caused me to talk to my mom about hair removal.
After one awkward lesson on how to shave after school, I began to remove my underarm hair. During the past six years since I started getting rid of body hair, I have tried out multiple forms of hair removal. Through trial and error, I have learned that every hair removal process has its own pros and cons.
Shaving
Shaving is the most “traditional” form of body hair removal nowadays. Typically, shaving starts with wetting the hair for removal, typically in the shower. It is best to wash first, then shave as it allows the hair to soften. Be sure to apply shaving cream first, then shave against the direction of hair growth.
Shaving is great because you can shave with very little hair grown or with a healthy amount of hair growth. Razor blades should be changed after every handful of shaves due to bacteria growth and the fact that the blade gets dull over time.
Personally, I like to shave my underarms. I love how quick shaving is compared to other methods of hair removal. My biggest dislike of shaving is how easy it is to nick yourself. Getting nicks, or small cuts, can be quite painful initially and cause discomfort when trying to apply lotion or deodorant.
Depilatories
Depilatories are better known under the brand names of Nair and Veet. These are creams that are placed on the skin where unwanted body hair is growing. The cream typically sits for a little over five minutes and are then rinsed off. These creams weaken the hair follicles to the point where the visible hair can be removed and the hair below the skin is so weak that it must strengthen before the hair will show again.
One of the best parts of depilatories is that this method of removal lasts longer than shaving. Cons are that it can be more time-consuming and require more attention to detail (since you have to be careful when using the product and have to apply liberally and consistently for it to work). I like to utilize this method for removing my leg hair; I only have to worry about leg hair removal once a week.
Waxing
There are two major methods of waxing. The first form is soft waxing, where hot wax is placed on the skin where the unwanted hair is. Then, a strip is placed on the wax and ripped off. The unwanted hair comes off on the strip.
The second form is hard waxing. This is a more expensive method, but is less painful. Warm wax is placed on the skin and the wax hardens on the skin. Then, the wax is pulled off the skin, with the hair coming off on the wax. There are no strips involved. I prefer to hard wax as I have a very low pain tolerance.
Waxing is the most expensive method on this list, so it is a rarity that I wax. Waxing is also the most time-consuming on this list. For best results, waxing has to be done at some form of a salon. Besides the wait time at a salon, the specialist has to work in sections. The biggest benefit to waxing is the long-lasting effect. After waxing body hair, it takes about three to four weeks for the hair to grow back. Can you imagine only dealing with leg hair once a month?
There are multiple methods on how to remove unwanted body hair. With technology always evolving, I would not be surprised if other methods arise and gains popularity within the next couple years (like laser hair removal is now).
Lastly, always remember though that removing body hair is a personal choice. If you like your body hair, leave it. If you prefer to not have hair on certain areas of your body, feel free to remove it. Just be sure to stay safe and do what makes you happy!
Cover image courtesy of Shutterstock.
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