Wax? Pluck? Shave? Laser? So many types of hair removal methods ... which one's right for you?
Hair removal techniques are either temporary or permanent; with the temporary category further broken down into depilatory (where by the hair is removed at the skin's surface) or epilatory (whereby the hair is removed from the root). It's important to note that even though some techniques are described as "permanent", they should more accurately be described as "permanent reduction" in that quite often they can significantly reduce the growth of hair on the treated area, but it will never be completely gone, and top-up or follow-up procedures will be required.
Shaving
Categories: Temporary, depilatory
Quick and convenient, shaving is a popular hair-removal method. With a razor blade, or electric razor, hair is cut off at the surface. It's suitable for most areas (although not recommended for shaping brows — too tricky — and women's faces — regrowth will be too stubbly), and is painless, so long as you avoid nicks from the blade (so be especially careful around, er, delicate areas!).
Lasts: A couple of days.
Depilatory creams
Categories: Temporary, depilatory
Depilatory products are formulas that react with the protein structure of the hair, breaking it down and dissolving it as far as into the pore. They come in cream, lotion, gel, mousse, powder and spray-on forms, and also act as an exfoliant, removing dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. They're suitable for most areas (always read directions on pack).
Lasts: A little longer than shaving.
Friction
Categories: Temporary, depilatory
A mitt or tool with a rough surface (a bit like fine sandpaper) is used to gently buff away hair on the skin's surface, while exfoliating and smoothing the skin at the same time. It's best for the leg area, and for people with fine hair. Not recommended for people with sensitive skin.
Lasts: Less time than shaving.
Tweezing
Categories: Temporary, epilatory
Tweezing (using small metal forceps to pull one or a couple of hairs out at a time) is perfect for shaping brows and removing hairs from small areas such as the belly button and chin, and for any missed hairs post waxing.
Lasts: Two to eight weeks.
Threading
Categories: Temporary, epilatory
This is a hair-removal technique that is far more popular in the US, UK and Asia than it is in Australia. Essentially, it involves cotton thread being twisted together and rolled over the surface of the skin. Hair is "caught" between the threads, and pulled out from the root. As with tweezering, the skin can be left a little red, but unlike waxing, threading doesn’'t pull off the top layer of skin as well. It's best for larger areas.
Lasts: Two to eight weeks.
Waxing
Categories: Temporary, epilatory
There are a number of different types of wax and all are designed to remove the hair from the root. Wax is spread over the skin then either covered with a strip or left to set hard, before being swiftly ripped off. It can sting for a little while, but there are techniques to help minimise any pain. Waxing also removes dead skin cells, and is suitable for most areas.
Lasts: Two to eight weeks.
Sugaring
Categories: Temporary, epilatory
Sugaring is similar to waxing in that a sticky substance is spread over the skin, covered with a cloth, and ripped off. The difference is that the product only adheres to the hair, not the skin as well. Like waxing, sugaring is suitable for most areas needing hair removal.
Lasts: Two to eight weeks.
Rotary epilators
Categories: Temporary, epilatory
Rotary epilators can be thought of as rows of tweezers which, with the aid of electricity, open and shut to grab hair and pull it out by the root. Can be difficult to use on fine hairs.
Lasts: Two to eight weeks.
Bleaching
While this isn't a hair hair-removal method, it is a way of approaching and treating unwanted hair. Bleach is applied (usually in a cream form) to dark hair in an effort to make it less noticeable.
Lasts: Until hair grows out — darker hair will be noticeable again within a week.
Electrolyisis
Categories: Permanent, epilatory
There are a couple of types of electrolysis, but each works on a similar principle — a super-fine probe is slid into a hair follicle, electricity is delivered to it, causing damage to the area that generates the hair. This process can be painful and tedious (and difficult for large areas such as legs or back).
Laser
Categories: Permanent, epilatory
A hand piece emits a beam of light or wavelength that targets the dark matter (the pigment) in the hair which causes damage to the hair follicle. It can be a little on the painful (and costly) side but most find it produces good results. It works best on people with dark hair and fair skin. Up to eight to 10 treatments may be needed at a time.
IPL
Categories: Permanent, epilatory
As with laser, IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is also intended to cause damage to the hair follicle. It does this by using short pulses of broad spectrum light (laser uses one wavelength of light). It covers a bigger area each time than laser does, doesn't just work on people with dark hair and fair skin, and is generally cheaper and a little less painful. Up to eight to 10 treatments may be needed at a time.
