Hair grows in different thicknesses and it serves many purposes. Warmth, protection from the sun and protection from injury are some of its main functions. If your body hair is thicker and darker than you'd like, you have several options for removing unwanted body hair.
Shaving
Shaving is done at home with shaving cream and new razors. Shaving is generally used for the face. When it is used for other parts of the body, the hair is trimmed down first with electric shears. Depending on how much hair is removed, shaving can take from 20 minutes to 2 hours. The good thing about shaving is the fact that it is relatively inexpensive. Blades and shaving cream are your main expenditures and you can get several uses before you need to buy new supplies. Triple tip flexible blades are a good option because they follow the contour of your body. They cost about $15 for a pack of four and refill cartridges can be purchased for under $15 for a pack of eight. Shaving cream costs about $3 to $4 a can. Side effects are also common with shaving such as razor burn, bumps and ingrown hairs. Shaving can keep you hair-free for a few hours to three days.
Waxing
Waxing is a process where hot wax or other sticky substance is applied to the skin. A cloth is pressed into the wax, and then it is torn off the skin with a rapid motion. The hair is yanked out of the skin with the cloth. Waxing can be done at home with a kit or at a spa. In both cases, hair should be trimmed with clippers first. Hair removal from waxing can last for up to eight weeks. Waxing is painful and can leave the skin red and irritated. Ingrown hairs can develop due to hairs breaking off under the skin's surface. Home kits cost from $6 to $75. Getting waxing done professionally can cost $15 per treatment for a small area like the underarms or as high as $80 per treatment for larger areas like your legs. A full body wax can be more than $100.
Depilatories
Depilatories are creams, gels or sprays that are applied to the skin and left on for several minutes. The active chemical agents in the depilatory break down the keratin in the hair, causing it to dissolve. Wipe the hair away with a washcloth or towel. When you use depilatories, you should run a test first on a small patch of hair to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction. You should also avoid using it around your mouth, eyes and near broken skin. Hair removal from depilatories lasts about two weeks and it costs about $8 for a bottle of cream or spray.
Lser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is performed by a licensed professional. Laser light is used to destroy the hair follicle, You can expect to pay $150 to $900 per visit depending on the size of the area you are getting hair removed from. You can also expect to go through multiple sessions for hair removal. According to the Mayo Clinic, six to eight treatments spaced six to eight weeks apart can offer you good reduction of hair and slowing of hair regrowth. The results you achieve with laser hair removal can be seen for up to 6 months or longer. The drawbacks of this treatment include darkening or lightening of the skin, and the development of blisters and scabs.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is performed by a licensed professional. An electrologist inserts a small needle into each hair follicle. Electrical current burns the hair root and the hair falls out. Electrolysis treatments can take three months to a year to give permanent results. The cost of electrolysis can run from $45 to $125 per hour depending on how thick your hair is. Being that each hair follicle has to be individually treated, sessions can take several hours. Scabs, pain, inflamed skin and scarring are all possible side effects of electrolysis. If the needles used in electrolysis are not properly sterilized, they can cause infection.
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