Tired of painful plucking and time-consuming shaving? While tweezers, shaving cream and razors are great for an immediate need, constant use can irritate skin. Plus, replacing shaving supplies can be costly. Why not try more long-term hair-removal methods? Find the right option for you with this reference guide.
Hair-Removal Cream
Process: When specially formulated cream contacts hair, it destroys the root. Wiping the area detaches the root from the follicle — this prevents hair growth until the root regenerates.
Procedure: Simply spread the cream onto clean, dry skin. Wait a few minutes, and then wipe the area with a damp cloth.
Timing: The process usually lasts around 10 minutes, but it can take as long as 20. Your hair’s texture and the target area’s size will affect the timeframe.
Effectiveness: Body-hair removal cream can last from a few days to a few weeks. It depends on your hair’s density and growth cycle.
Removal Areas: Typical target areas include legs, arms and face.
Expense: Cream kits begin around $8. Plus, you can do the entire process at home! Many salons also offer this hair-removal method. Expect a $25 to $100 charge.
Waxing
Process: A specialist applies wax to the skin. Then, the wax is pulled off opposite the hair-growth’s direction. This plucks the hair from the follicle and prevents hair growth until the root regenerates.
Procedure: The specialist spreads a thin layer of warm or cold wax on the target area. Keeping skin taut, the wax is quickly pulled from the skin, removing the hair.
Timing: The session typically lasts a few minutes. However, larger areas will require more time.
Effectiveness: You’ll have smooth skin anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Again, it all depends on the hair’s density and growth cycle.
Removal Areas: Typical target areas for waxing are the legs, bikini line, arms and face.
Expense: The amount of wax you’ll need and your target area will determine the cost. Wax-at-home kits begin around $8 while a professional waxing session can cost up to $100, depending on the area you’re planning to wax.
Laser Hair Removal
Process: UV light targets your hair’s pigment. The intense heat destroys the hair follicle, resulting in permanent hair removal.
Procedure: A specialist applies pulses of light to the hair follicles in quick bursts, covering 1-inch sections at a time.
Timing: Laser hair removal typically takes between one year and three years to complete. Your hair’s growth cycle determines the timeframe.
Each session typically lasts from 5 to 20 minutes. Sessions usually occur in 10-week intervals to keep up with your hair’s growth cycle.
Effectiveness: Depending on your hair’s density, laser hair removal can be permanent.
Removal Areas: Typical target areas include under arms, bikini line, legs and face.
Expense: Depending on the target areas, laser hair removal can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 or more.
