Do you have annoying body hair you want to remove? Most of us do. But the question is often whether we should do it ourselves or have a professional do it.
You can shave yourself, but that means you’ll have to keep up with the constant maintenance, and you might nick yourself in the shower. If you go too deep, you might be re-enacting that scene from Psycho.
If you have someone do it for you, you’ll, no doubt, get silky smooth skin. But sometimes, you have to wait a while to grow out your body hair before you can have it removed. For some people, that alone makes it a deal breaker.
Read on for some of the pros and cons of having body hair removal done professionally and doing it at home.
The Pros and Cons of Shaving: The Ultimate DIY
Most women (and men who shave their legs) do so in the shower. This is often done in the morning, during their daily routine. For some people, it’s quick and easy, and part of their daily ritual.
If you have particularly fine hair, this may not be a bad option for you. You won’t have to shave every single day, and it takes a while for the hair to grow back noticeably.
For those with darker skin tones, and darker hair, they may notice some stubble returns by noon.
The biggest pro for shaving at home is that it is incredibly cheap. You’ll need to purchase razors and shaving cream every once in a while, but ultimately, it is free to do the “treatment.”
You also don’t need to prepare to shave your legs with scrubs and washes.
But not only is it labor-intensive, but it can cause skin rashes and other issues. Some people not only report breaking out after shaving but also develop allergic reactions to razors or shaving creams.
If you use an old razor or don’t use shaving cream, you can easily cut yourself. Sometimes, this can even leave scars. Most women find that even if they do everything right, they will cut themselves accidentally at some point.
In addition to breakouts, shaving can cause ingrown hairs, which cause irritation. Ingrown hairs can be both unsightly and painful.
Shaving also only produces results for a short amount of time, as compared to other methods.
Shaving Other Parts of Your Body
People don’t only remove hair on their legs. In fact, some people go for hair removal all over their body. This causes the same issues as shaving your legs, such as ingrown hairs, irritation, cuts and short-term results.
Pros and Cons of Laser Body Hair Removal
Laser treatment is a great option for both men and women. Often times, women want all of the hair on a specific area removed, while men may just want thick patches thinned out. This is often the case on their chest, arms and back.
While this option can be pricey, it produces semi-permanent results, meaning you won’t have to worry about the hair coming back all that quickly. Laser hair removal kills the individual hair’s root, but it doesn’t kill the follicle. This means that hair can grow back, but it is difficult and takes a long time for it to do so.
In addition to the cost, there are other factors to consider. Laser hair removal can be quite painful, especially if you have sensitive skin. Some doctors even recommend that you bring a painkiller with you to the procedure in order to help reduce the pain you might feel afterward.
You also can’t get all of your unwanted hair removed in one session. It typically takes about eight half-hour courses to get the full results. While hair will likely grow back thinner if at all, there is also no guarantee it will be permanently removed.
Laser hair removal can lower your body’s defenses against UV rays. This means you’ll need to stay out of the sun or use sunblock after having the procedure. You should speak with your doctor if you have a disease or skin condition that predisposes you to sun sensitivity.
You can have a look at this service for more information on the pros of laser hair removal, and to make an appointment if you reside in the Los Angeles area.
You can attempt to do laser hair removal at home with kits, but they do not have the same strength as when performed by professionals.
The Pros and Cons of Waxing
You might remember the hilarious scene in 40-Year-Old Virgin when Steve Carrell’s character gets his back waxed for the first time. This might put some people off of the experience.
Waxing involves putting hot wax (as the name suggests) on your legs or another part of your body. Using an adhesive strip, you will then rip the hair out by the root. And yes, it’s just as unpleasant as it sounds.
Many people prefer waxing because it is more cost effective than laser hair removal but lasts longer than shaving. However, the pain of the procedure causes some to shirk away from it.
You can wax at home with kits if you know what you’re doing. Some prefer this method because it is cheaper than going to the salon. The wax can be sticky, though, and often times it can be difficult to find every nook and cranny for hair removal.
But in both scenarios, you’ll need to prep your skin beforehand. This is often done by the salon itself, but you will be asked to grow your hair out before you have the treatment. This way, they have more to grab onto to pull out at the root.
What Should Decide You Do?
Ultimately, it is up to you what you do when it comes to body hair removal. You should choose the most cost-effective and convenient option for yourself. Additionally, you should also be mindful of your pain tolerance when deciding which hair removal procedure to try.
Read our blog for more information on finding the perfect hair removal service in your area.