Hair removal creams and shaving are two ways of getting rid of body and facial hair through depilation--removing the hair at the surface of the skin. Although hair removal creams and shaving use two different methods to temporarily remove hair, Andrea James, who maintains the consumer website HairFacts.Com, indicates that regardless of which you choose, the amount of time you enjoy a smooth, hair-free zone remains the same.
Shaving
Shaving removes the top of the hair that's grown through the skin, using a sharpened metal razor blade. Shaving tools vary, from inexpensive disposable razor designed to be used until the blade dulls to more expensive razor systems that use replaceable cartridges that you change when necessary. Safety razors use a dual- or triple-blade system that guards the skin against nicks. Shaving yields best results when the skin has been softened for a few minutes in the shower or bathtub and soap or shaving cream or gel is applied to the area to be shaved. James notes that the results of shaving can last for several days--but sometimes only a few hours lapse before stubble returns.
Benefits and Potential Hazards
Shaving is one of the most common forms of hair removal, and also the cheapest and most portable. If done safely and correctly, it's a painless process that offers precision hair removal with few ill side-effects--although special care should be taken around the tender areas of skin, such as around the bikini line and genitals. However, shaving can result in minor cuts and nicks and razor burn. A less desirable feature of very close and frequent shaving is the potential for ingrown hairs--when the hair begins to grow back underneath the skin. James also notes that those with dark, coarse hair may notice a "five o'clock shadow," regardless of how closely they shave.
Hair Removal Creams
Hair removal creams--also known as depilatories--are sold in most drugstores and pharmacies. These products cause the hair's protein structure to weaken and dissolve. Hair removal creams remove only the part of the hair that grows above the skin's surface, which is why depilatory use is sometimes referred to as "chemical shaving." The Teens' Health website states that hair removal creams are best when used on the legs, under the arms and around the bikini area, although there are special depilatories formulated for use on the face.
The Good and the Unpleasant
As with shaving, hair removal creams are also generally painless and easy to use at home. However, James warns that the harsh ingredients in some depilatories can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions and sometimes even chemical burns. Take special care when using these products on the face, as they can severely irritate the eyes. Hair removal creams are applied to the body part where hair is to be removed and left on for several minutes before they are washed off--some find the strident smell of these products objectionable. As with shaving, depilatory use yields variable results, from a few hours to a few days. Teens' Health indicates that depilatory creams may be less effective when used on those with dark or coarse hair.
Which Is Better?
When it comes to quick, inexpensive methods of hair removal such as shaving or cream depilatory use, the method chosen may ultimately be a matter of preference and which technique is most efficient--and most pleasant. However, if you have dark, coarse body hair or rapid hair regrowth, investigate methods of epilation, which involves removing the entire hair follicle--including the part that grows underneath the skin. Epilation techniques--waxing, sugaring and use of electric epilators--can yield a smooth, hairless body part that lasts for up to a few weeks.
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