When it comes to getting rid of unwanted hair around the body, there are a number of different hair removal options. Some guarantee more long term results. Some are less painful than others. And some cost less. By exploring different hair removal methods, you can find the right solution for you. Below are just 8 common hair removal solutions for women compared.
Shaving
How long does it last: 1 to 3 days
Pain rating: 0
Cost: About $9 for a razor and about $5 for shaving cream.
Most of us rely on shaving because it’s cheap and easy to do at home. It’s also pretty much painless. Razor burn and ingrown hairs can occur as a result of shaving, but generally you can avoid them if you’re using a good quality razor that’s sharp and clean.
The biggest downside of shaving is that you have to keep doing it every couple days. It’s also hard to get a completely smooth surface because you’re only getting rid of the exposed hair and not the hair in the follicle.
Waxing
How long does it last: 3 to 6 weeks
Pain rating: 4
Cost: Home kits cost anywhere between $10 and $100, while salon treatments can cost anywhere from $10 for an eyebrow wax to $300 for a full body wax.
Some people prefer waxing to shaving because it has longer lasting results and can leave skin looking smoother. At home kits also make waxing cheap and convenient. That said, you’re likely to get faster and better results at a salon.
Unfortunately waxing is notoriously painful, because you’re pulling hair out at the roots. Using numbing cream and cool wax can reduce pain.
Sugaring
How long does it last: 3 to 6 weeks
Pain rating: 3
Cost: Home kits cost anywhere between $10 and $100, while salon treatments can cost anywhere from $10 for a facial to $400 for a full body sugaring treatment.
Sugaring is like waxing, but it involves using sugar instead of wax. The sugar is also applied in the opposite direction of the hair growth, while wax is applied in the same direction. What difference does this make? Generally, it makes the whole process less painful than waxing while also reducing the chance of skin irritation.
Sugaring can be done at home, however many people like to visit a salon to make sure it’s done properly. Pricing can be a little more expensive for sugaring compared to waxing, but often only marginally.
Tweezing
How long does it last: 3 to 6 weeks
Pain rating: 3
Cost: Tweezers can cost anywhere from $1 to $25. Eyebrow shaping appointments typically cost between $5 and $25, but can cost more in major cities.
Tweezing involves using tweezers to remove individual hairs at a time. Like waxing, it removes them at the root. It is ideal for rogue hairs and areas like eyebrows where you may want to do some minor reshaping. When it comes to rogue hairs, most people pluck them out themselves at home. When it comes to eyebrow shaping, many people prefer to visit a salon to get the perfect shape.
Plucking out hairs can be painful. However, because you’re plucking out one hair at a time, it’s generally not as painful as waxing.
Epilating
How long does it last: 3 to 6 weeks
Pain rating: 5
Cost: About $20 to $100 for an epilator.
Epilators are electronic handheld devices that are designed to pluck out multiple hairs at once. They contain a roller which mechanically plucks out all the hairs as you roll the device over your skin. You can use these devices at home, and they result in hair-free skin that is smoother and longer-lasting than if you used a razor.
Perhaps the biggest drawback of using an epilator is the pain. You are essentially plucking out lots of hairs at the same time. Many people find it to be more uncomfortable than waxing because it’s not as fast.
Depilatories
How long does it last: 2 to 3 days
Pain rating: 0
Cost: About $5 to $20 for a single container of cream.
‘Depilatories’ is the technical term for hair removal creams. These creams work by dissolving the hair above the follicle. These creams are painless to use much like shaving. There’s also no risk of razor burn or ingrown hairs. That said, some people do experience allergic reactions to the cream, causing burning and redness.
Because depilatories do not dissolve the hair in the follicle, you can expect the hair to grow back at the same speed as shaving. Therefore, it’s not a suitable solution for those that want long-term results.
IPL
How long does it last: 6 to 12 months
Pain rating: 1
Cost: At home IPL devices typically cost between $150 and $500. Professional IPL treatment sessions can cost between $100 and $800 depending on the area of the body, while full body IPL treatment will likely cost up to $2500.
IPL stands for ‘intense pulsed light’. It works by using focused light to destroy the hair follicle. Most people describe the feeling as nothing more than a small pinch. Its biggest advantage is that it can result in smooth hairless skin for up to a year – much longer than other methods listed above.
IPL can be a little more pricey than other hair removal options, although it is less expensive than laser treatment. There are handheld IPL devices on the market as available here that can work out cheaper than visiting a clinic. Using this device, you can remove as little or as much hair as you want in one sitting. Professional IPL sessions on the other hand are usually no more than 45 minutes with a full treatment possibly consisting of multiple sessions over several weeks.
Laser treatment
How long does it last: 6 months to several years
Pain rating: 2
Cost: Anywhere between $125 to $1000 for a regular session, while a full body treatment could cost up to $3000.
Some people assume that laser hair removal and IPL are the same thing, but in fact they’re a little different. Laser hair removal uses a different type of light that is stronger and more precise. It can produce a little more of a sting than IPL (although still not as painful as waxing or tweezing), however it is much more effective at destroying the hair follicle. Results can therefore last much longer (in some cases up to 10 years), making it the closest to a permanent hair removal option.
Those on a tight budget won’t be happy though – laser hair removal is the most expensive option. The cost depends on how much hair you’re getting removed, but in most cases you can expect to pay upwards of $500. Like IPL treatment, it is usually carried out over several sessions across several weeks. There is no at-home option, so you have to visit a specialized clinic.
