Hair Removal Methods - The Pros and Cons

Hair removal is a non-stop, never-ending battle for us ladies. Unfortunately unless you’re happy to go au-natural it’s just something we have to get on with and most of us do it without even thinking about it.

This does however mean that a lot of women are still using the same hair removal methods they adopted as a teenager which might not be the best option for your adult self! These days there are many options available to get super-smooth, super-soft skin; here’s the pro’s and con’s of some of the most popular methods.

Shaving Considered as the most convenient way to remove unwanted hair, shaving uses a blade to cut visible hair at skin level.

Where can it be used? Anywhere

Pros Super-fast and easy Inexpensive Completely pain-free Removes hair of any length so there is no need to wait for unsightly regrowth before treating Achieves a very smooth result Low risk of ingrown hairs

Cons Regrowth is immediate Stubble is prickly, coarse and thick Can irritate sensitive skin

Epilating Epilating uses an electric hair removal appliance with parts like mechanical tweezers which when moved across the surface of the skin catch and remove all of the hairs in it’s path.

Where can it be used? Anywhere

Pros Removes hair as short as 0.5mm so there is no need to wait for unsightly regrowth before treating Because the hair is removed from the roots, results last up to 4 weeks Regrowth is thinner, finer and softer

Cons Can be uncomfortable Increased risk of ingrown hairs

Waxing Waxing uses a hot or warm wax to bond to the hair. When solidified and removed the wax takes the hair with it, removing it from the root. Where can it be used? Legs, underarm, bikini area, upper lip

Pros Because the hair is removed from the roots, results last up to 4 weeks Regrowth is thinner, finer and softer

Cons Can be uncomfortable Hair has to be a minimum of 5mm (and preferably 10mm long) so you need to wait 3-4 weeks for the hair to grow before treating If you do it yourself it can be messy and time consuming If you have it done at a salon it can be expensive Increased risk of ingrown hairs

IPL Light Treatment A narrow beam of concentrated light is focused on small sections of skin. The light destroys the hair follicle and stops it from growing a new hair.

Where can it be used? Underarm, bikini area, upper lip

Pros Following a full course of treatment hair removal is permanent During a course of treatment regrowth is thinner, finer and softer

Cons Not advised for large expanses of skin such as legs Not advised if you have very dark skin and colouring Treatment is very expensive and requires multiple sessions Post treatment skin is very sensitive so any should not be exposure to the sun within 6 weeks of treatment Normal hormonal changes in the body such as menopause and pregnancy can reverse the treatment causing hair to regrow Can cause scarring