Body hair can grow in many nooks and crannies of the skin, and visible body hair can be a deal breaker for most people. Modern fashion trends promote a completely hairless look for both men and women. So, many people today struggle to keep up with their body hair removal routines while juggling busy lifestyles. It can get increasingly difficult to maintain a smooth visage with so many competing tasks at hand, and many men and women today are opting for more permanent hair removal solutions.

What to consider when considering permanent hair removal:

Deciding to remove your body hair permanently is a big decision, and you need to take a few factors into account before making up your mind. While some hair removal methods work better than others on some people, other methods are more effective for certain areas of the body as well as the skin types. When choosing the right hair removal method, make sure you:

• Think about your lifestyle. If you often wear clothes that show off your limbs, underarms and occasionally even the bikini area (when you go swimming or spend a day at the beach), you should consider a more permanent hair removal method to save time and money in the long run.
• Skin-type. Frequent hair removal might aggravate sensitive skin or make your skin break out in rashes. So you will need an alternative method that does not harm the skin.
• How much time do you have? Making the time for a hair removal appointment at the salon, or even at home, can become quite challenging when you have a packed schedule. So you will end up shaving your skin frequently, which makes the skin dry and the hair regrowth rough and coarse. Besides, the hair grows back in just a couple of days.
• Adding up the cost. Constantly investing in short-term hair removal treatments costs you a lot of money in the long run. Instead, it is better to invest in a more permanent solution such as the IPL system that you can use at home, as and when you wish to.

What is IPL, and why should I consider it?

IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) is a popular choice for permanent hair removal. Earlier, you had to book a dermatologist’s appointment to get it administered, but today, there are many at-home IPL devices you can use by yourself fin the comfort of your home.

By using advanced technology, IPL systems deliver short bursts of intense light directly into the hair follicles to stop the growth of new hair right from the root level. That’s right, it just uses flashes of light! Certain studies show that people who used the IPL system for hair removal reported a 54% reduction after only three months of use.^[1]

Temporary solutions:

Do remember that permanent hair removal is a big step to take, and you must opt for it only when you’re absolutely sure that you want to. If you’re not sure about it, or if you need to take some time to think about it, you can use short term hair removal methods in the interim. You can try a few other methods to remove any unwanted hair on your body, like:

Shaving, which is one of the quickest methods to remove the unwanted hair on the skin. The razor blades simply cut the hair at the surface of the skin in one swipe. However, since the hair is only cut at the surface and not completely removed, it grows back in just a couple of days^[2].

Depilatory creams offer better results than shaving, by dissolving the hair slightly below the skin’s surface. This method can result in hair returning not before four days after epilation. Besides, the hair grows back finer, with rounded edges, so there is no prickly stubble like with shaving.

Waxing is a longer term method of hair-removal. It is a form of epilation in which hair is pulled out from the root. So the hair has to regrow all over again, and thus, the skin does not show hair regrowth for up to four weeks after waxing.

Ultimately, the most suitable method of hair removal comes with its share of pros and cons. Consider your daily routine, your lifestyle and your personal preferences, and you can find the hair removal solution that is just right for you.

 

[1] « study indicated average hair reduction was 54% at 3 months, and 50% at 18 months post last treatment »

[2] http://www.webmd.com/beauty/hair-removal/for-women-only-best-choices-for-hair-removal?page=1