Let's face it: a lot of men wear rugs on their chests and a lot of those men wish they didn't. Chest hair can be hot and itchy and some sexual partners aren't fond of it. A thick mat of chest hair conceals the hard work you put into building up your pectorals. Whether you want to remove your furry covering for the long run or for just a few days, there are several options available to you.
Shaving
Shaving is the most economical means of removing hair from the chest but also the least permanent. A manual or electric razor trims the hair to the surface of the skin or just below it. Hair will grow back within days and you run the risk of ingrown hairs and skin irritation.
Waxing
Waxing involves the application of hot or cold wax to hair-covered skin. The wax is then yanked off against the direction of hair growth, pulling the hairs out by the root. Hair can take four to six weeks to grow back and may grow back noticeably finer.
Chemical Removal
Depilatories are chemical removers that come as lotions, gels, sprays and roll-ons. The chemicals break down the protein structure of the hair, dissolving it and allowing you to wipe the hair away. The effect lasts a few weeks. It's important to do a skin test before using a depilatory because the chemicals are harsh and may cause irritation or blistering.
Laser
A pulsing laser light creates heat that kills the root of the hair, making it difficult for hair to grow back. Usually four to eight treatments are needed, plus an annual maintenance visit. This treatment is best for men with lighter skin and darker hair. It's not recommended on blond or white hair. Laser removal is expensive but practically permanent. It's a good option for men who don't want to go completely hairless since it can thin out the hair growth. There is a risk of the process darkening or lightening the skin if the laser is used at the wrong setting, and burns are possible.
Electrolysis
A needle applies electricity to the hair follicle, killing the cells that cause hair growth. This makes it impossible for your hair to grow again. Sometimes short wave radio frequency is used instead of electricity. Weekly treatments are required, which can sometimes stretch over the course of a year since the needle is applied to one hair at a time. It is the only hair removal method recognized by the FDA as permanent.
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