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Before you start removing hair from different parts of your body, it is important to check your Ferriman-Gallway Score (to be sure you don't have any hormonal problems).
Shaving
How It Works: Using a razor, a person removes the tip of the hair shaft that has grown out
through the skin. Some razors are completely disposable, some have a disposable blade,
and some are electric. Women often shave their underarms, legs, and bikini areas.
How Long It Lasts: 1 to 3 days
Pros: Shaving is fairly inexpensive, and you can do it yourself. All you need is some warm
water, a razor, and if you choose, shaving gel or cream.
Cons: Razor burn, bumps, nicks, cuts, and ingrown hairs are side effects of shaving. Ingrown
hairs can happen with close, frequent shaving. When the hair begins to grow, it grows within
the surrounding tissue rather than growing out of the follicle. The hair curls around and starts
growing into the skin, irritating it.
Tips: You'll get a closer shave if you shave in the shower after your skin has been softened by
warm water. Go slowly, pulling looser areas of skin taut before running the razor over them.
Change razors often to avoid nicks. Using shaving cream may also help protect sensitive skin,
like the skin around the genitals. If you’re nervous about cutting yourself, you can try an electric
razor instead. |
(by Larissa Hirsch, 2008) |
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Plucking
How It Works: Using tweezers, a person stretches the skin tightly,
grips the hair close to the root, and pulls it out.
How Long It Lasts: 3 to 8 weeks
Pros: Plucking is inexpensive (all you need are tweezers). But it can be time-
consuming because you can only remove one hair at a time.
Cons: Plucking can be painful. If the hair breaks off below the skin, a person may get an
ingrown hair. After plucking, you may notice temporary red bumps because the hair follicle is
swollen and irritated.
Tips: Make sure you sterilize your tweezers or other plucking devices with rubbing alcohol
before and after (to avoid infection). |
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Depilatories
How They Work: A depilatory is a cream or liquid that removes hair
from the skin's surface. They work by reacting with the protein structure
of the hair, so the hair dissolves and can be washed or wiped away.
How Long They Last: Several days to 2 weeks
Pros: Depilatories work quickly, are readily available at drugstores and
grocery stores. They're best on the leg, underarm, and bikini areas;
special formulations may be used on the face and chin.
Cons: Applying depilatories can be messy some people dislike the odor. If you have
sensitive skin, you might have an allergic reaction to the chemicals in the depilatory (could be rash or inflammation).
Tips: Read product directions carefully and be sure to apply the product only for the
recommended amount of time for best results. Before using a depilatory on pubic hair, read
product labels to find one that says it's safe to use on the "bikini" area or genitals. |
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Waxing
How It Works: A sticky wax is spread on the area of skin where the
unwanted hair is growing. A cloth strip is then applied over the wax
and quickly pulled off, taking the hair root and dead skin cells with it.
The wax can be warmed or may be applied cold. Waxing can be done
at a salon or at home.
How Long It Lasts: 3 to 6 weeks
Pros: Waxing leaves the area smooth and is long lasting. Waxing kits are readily available in
drugstores and grocery stores. Hair re-growth looks lighter and less noticeable than it is after
other methods of hair removal, such as shaving.
Cons: Many people say the biggest drawback to waxing is the discomfort: Because the
treatment works by pulling hair out at the roots, it can sting a bit as the hair comes off — luckily
that part is fast. People may notice temporary redness, inflammation, and bumps after waxing.
Professional waxing is more expensive than other hair removal methods.
Teens who use acne medications such as tretinoin and isotretinoin may want to skip waxing
because those medicines make the skin more sensitive. People with moles or skin irritation
from sunburn should also avoid waxing.
Tips: For waxing to work, hair should be at least ¼ inch (about 6 millimeters) long. So skip
shaving for a few weeks before waxing. Waxing works well on the legs, bikini area, and eyebrows. |
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Electrolysis
How It Works: Over a series of several appointments, a professional
inserts a needle into the follicle and sends an electric current through
the hair root, killing it. A small area such as the upper lip may take a
total of 4 to 10 hours and a larger area such as the bikini line may take
8 to 16 hours.
How Long It Lasts: Intended to be permanent, but some people have re-growth of hair
Pros: Some people have permanent hair removal.
Cons: Electrolysis takes big bucks and lots of time, so it's usually only used on smaller areas
such as the upper lip, eyebrows, and underarms. Many people describe the process as
painful and dry skin, scabs, scarring, and inflammation may result after treatment. Infection
may be a risk if the needles and other instruments aren't properly sterilized.
Tips: Talk to your doctor if you're interested in this method. |
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Laser Hair Removal
How It Works: A laser is directed through the skin to the hair follicle,
where it stops growth. It works best on light-skinned people with dark
hair because the melanin (colored pigment) in the hair absorbs more
of the light, making treatment more effective.
How Long It Lasts: Intended to be permanent, but people often need to return every 6 months
to a year for maintenance.
Pros: This type of hair removal is long lasting and large areas of skin can be treated at the
same time.
Cons: A treatment session could be expensive. Side effects of the treatment may include
inflammation and redness.
Tips: Using cold packs may help diminish any inflammation after treatment. Avoiding the sun
before a treatment may make results more effective. |
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Prescription Treatments
A cream called eflornithine is available by prescription to treat
facial hair growth in women. The cream is applied twice a day
until the hair becomes softer and lighter. Side effects may include skin irritation and acne. Antiandrogen medications (Diane 35, Dianette, Androcur, cyproteron-acetate) are another
method that doctors prescribe to reduce the appearance of unwanted hair. These medications can
reduce hair growth by blocking androgen production. Doctors often prescribe oral
contraceptives in conjunction with these medications to enhance their effect, avoid pregnancy
(since antiandrogens can be harmful to a developing fetus) and help regularize the menstrual
cycle in girls who need it.
Deciding to remove body hair is a personal choice. Getting rid of body hair doesn't make a
person healthier, and you shouldn't feel pressured to do so if you don't want to. Some cultures
view body hair as beautiful and natural, so do what feels right to you!
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