Ultimate guide to hair removal

Each year hundreds of thousands of women choose to remove unwanted body hair. There are a myriad of hair removal methods ranging from good-old shaving to longer-lasting, expensive techniques. Depending on your skin type, hair thickness and lifestyle, finding the right hair removal method for you can be a journey. Check out some of the options below to find out which is best suited to you.

Shaving

The cheapest and most common method of hair removal. It’s accessible and easy because you don’t need to book any appointments and can do it yourself in the shower. 

Shaving can be effective with a good quality, clean razor - ideally designed for a woman and a proper technique. Warm up your skin in the shower or bath first and soften the hair with a shave gel (or even hair conditioner). Shave in the direction of the hair growth first, then when the hair is shorter, shave against the hair to achieve a close shave.

Shaving isn’t an ideal option for those prone to razor bumps and irritation. It also doesn’t last very long, especially if you have thick, dark hair.

Waxing

Waxing is a popular alternative to shaving as it lasts a lot longer than shaving does, typically up to a month. Instead of cutting the hair, waxing removes the hair follicle right from the root. This not only makes it long lasting, but also helps you to achieve a smoother, bump-free result.

Waxing involves warm melted wax applied to the skin in sections and then pulled off. Selecting a great wax technician is key to achieving a less painful and effective wax. You can also take ibuprofen before your appointment to help minimise pain.

Before your next wax you’ll need to let your hair grow to about a quarter of an inch. 

Hair removal creams

Lots of women opt for hair removal cream as a method of hair removal as its painless, cheap and can be done at home. When applied to the skin, these creams work by breaking down the bonds in the hair. This makes the hair weak enough for you to wipe it off your skin.

If you’ve used a hair removal cream before, you’ll know about the unpleasant smell they typically have. Another downside is that the chemicals in these creams can cause redness and irritation - especially if left on too long. 

Hair removal creams remove the hair from the surface of the skin, rather than from the root, which means that the results usually last only a few days.

Laser hair removal

Laser hair removal is a powerful and more permanent solution. It targets hair follicles using a laser. The heat from the laser damages the hair follicles. The damage helps prevent future hair growth.

Laser is the most expensive hair removal method and will often require a number of sessions over the course of a few months to be effective. After the initial treatment, you may need some more top-up sessions to prevent future regrowth. 

Laser needs to be performed by a trained professional, and the skin cannot be exposed to sunlight in the weeks before and after a session.