Which is the best hair removal method for you?

We lay out all the considerations for different hair removal methods- from the body part or area, your skin and hair type to your lifestyle preferences.

We all have body hair. Some love it, while some (like us) choose to remove them. 

With all the different hair removal methods available in the market it can be confusing to determine which method is best for us. We often end up in endless trials, some tears or accidental bad skin reactions. Not to mention a lot of money spent on salon treatments that add up with the frequency of hair removal required. 

Here, we take you through the pros and cons of the most popular hair removal methods so you can choose the best one for your skin and lifestyle.

1. Shaving

Shaving is the most popular hair removal method which has been around since ancient times. It’s cheap, easy and quick. When we’re rushing to get out of the house but want to be fuzz free, it’s easy to reach out for a razor. 

Shaving can be done manually or with an electric razor, in the opposite direction to hair growth. The blades cut away hair that is above the skin surface.

While shaving can be done on any body area, it works best for large surface areas such as arms and legs. It’s trickier to achieve a clean shave in areas that are small and hard to reach, where the skin is more flexible, hair grows in different directions and the hair may be coarse such as the underarm or Brazilian.

Shaving doesn’t last long, so it’s recommended to do it every 1 to 3 days to keep your skin as smooth as possible.  

Advantages	Disadvantages
Quick and easy Very affordable Least potential skin reaction	Only lasts 1-3 days, needs to be done very regularly Might cause ingrown hair Danger of nicks and cuts Might cause razor burns if done very often

2. Epilation

Epilators have tiny electric tweezers that pull hairs out. This method actually plucks out the hair including the roots, so you can expect longer lasting results up to a month. 

Epilators can be dangerous if you don’t know how to use them, so always be careful! Position the epilator perpendicular to your skin, hold lightly, and don’t press it against your skin, then slowly move it towards the direction of your hair growth. Hair needs to be of a certain length before epilation and regular exfoliation is recommended to avoid ingrown hairs over time.

Epilation can be painful for some people. If you have a low tolerance, then this method might not be for you.

While this method can be used on all parts of the body, given the mechanism of slowly plucking multiple hairs out, it’s better for areas that are not so sensitive such as legs and arms. 

Advantages	Disadvantages
Results up to 1 month  May result in thinner body hair over time	Can be painful Some people experience redness and irritation Time consuming, since you’ll need to move the device slowly and carefully over the areas to work Might cause ingrown hair Needs frequent cleaning, since a dirty epilator can cause skin infections

3. Depilatory Creams

Depilatory creams break down the bonds in your hair called keratin, chemically dissolving body hair from just below the skin surface to later be washed off. It’s a simple mechanism and cost-effective.

The cream is usually left on for 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the strength of your hair, and gentler versions for sensitive skin tend to take longer to work. 

This method usually works best for areas with tougher skin, and we don’t recommend you use it down there. You can use it in your armpit, legs, and arms.

Although it isn’t painful, it might cause an itching or burning sensation. Given the use of strong chemicals, it may not be a good method for those with sensitive skin.

Depilatory creams aren't long lasting as hair regrowth will appear within 2-3 days.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Fast and inexpensive Easy to use Softer hair as it grows back because they don't have blunt edges caused by razors	Contains strong chemicals which might cause skin irritations and allergies Only lasts a few days, needs to be done very regularly May result in “shadow” skin, since hair hasn’t been removed from the roots, a shadow underneath the skin due to hair still being there might appear Has a distinct odor that may be unpleasant to some people Can be a messy process

4. Waxing

One of the more popular methods, waxing can be a DIY job, or done at a salon. There are two kinds of wax, hot and cold, which both removes hairs from the root. 

Wax is applied in the same direction as your hair growth. It’s left to set for a few seconds or minutes, then quickly removed or stripped in the opposite direction of your hair growth. If done correctly, this method pulls out your hair from the roots. Like epilation, hair needs to be left to grow up to at least a certain length before waxing and regular exfoliation is recommended to avoid ingrown hairs.

You can wax practically every part of your body, from upper lip to legs to Brazilian. The results also last a long time, typically 3 to 6 weeks.

Waxing can be really painful though, especially in sensitive areas. If you have a low tolerance, then this method might not be for you or for all areas. 

Advantages	Disadvantages
Longer lasting results 3-6 weeks Prevents ingrown hairs and exfoliates your skin at the same time Can be used in harder to reach areas	Can be painful Can be very expensive given the regular treatments required Risk of burning due to hot wax/ human error Might be an awkward process, especially when doing a Brazillian wax Might cause skin irritations and allergies

5. Sugaring

Sugaring makes use of natural and organic ingredients like lemon, water, and sugar. These ingredients are turned into a sticky paste that removes hairs from the root. 

This paste is applied and removed in the direction of your hair growth. It’s gentler on your skin compared to waxing since it doesn't pull at your living skin cells. There is also lower occurrence of ingrown hairs with this method. Like waxing and epilation, hair needs to be left to grow up to at least a certain length before a sugaring session. 

Sugaring can be done on any part of your body too. It is also less painful than waxing, but can still produce great results which lasts up to 4-5 weeks. 

Advantages	Disadvantages
Longer lasting results up to 4 to 5 weeks Prevents ingrown hairs and exfoliates your skin at the same time Gentler and less painful than waxing as it doesn’t pull at live skin cells Organic, safe, and natural	Can be very expensive given the regular treatments required Can still be painful  Might be an awkward process, especially when doing a Brazillian wax

6. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

IPL hair removal is the crème de la crème of hair removal methods for long lasting results. It uses a broad spectrum pulse of light that targets the melanin in the hair follicles (hair roots) without damaging your skin. In fact, it can even rejuvenate skin and treat acne! 

IPL is actually really simple, there is no need for eyewear as long as you don’t look directly at the light, or messy gels or creams unless the intensity of the IPL is very high. Just place the machine in the treatment area and let the IPL flash. 

Note however that given the mechanism of IPL, it is not effective on light hair colours like light-blonde, white, grey and red hair due to the low levels of melanin, and is not suitable for those with very dark skin tones as the light may also react with the skin not just the hair follicles.

IPL is the most comfortable long lasting hair removal method as it’s not painful at all. You also don’t need to wait for your hair to grow before having it lasered and results can last up to 1 year*! (*assuming no maintenance after a full cycle, otherwise results should be much longer lasting) 

IPL reduces re-growth of hair as the light energy is absorbed by the hair root which puts it into a resting phase. Over time, the hair sheds and regrowth is slowed down. After the initial treatment phase of 4-6 treatments every 1-2 weeks, hair growth would be reduced by 70-90%. Then you treat it every 6-8 weeks to maintain the results. Results do vary from person to person and depending on the treatment area but the results definitely have longevity.

Advantages	Disadvantages
Longer lasting results, up to 1 year! Rejuvenates your skin and can treat acne No pain No need to wait for your hair to grow out before treatment No blades or irritating chemicals	Can be very expensive if done at clinics/ salons Ineffective on very light-coloured hair and on very dark skin types

 

From razors, to waxes, to IPL, it’s obvious which method can produce the all around best results with minimal downside. Although it’s up to your skin and some trial and error to find which method works for you, temporary methods can be very time-consuming and hard to maintain. 

Take a look at IPL for a more permanent solution with less time and effort required. IPL is currently mostly done at clinics or salons, but these sessions are indeed expensive and really do add up when you want to have it done in multiple areas. Now, you can do IPL at home yourself with our Glatt Skin Zap IPL Hair Removal Device- completely safe, easy to use and as effective. Try it out for yourself, results guaranteed!