Hair removal has been around for a while and remains a consistent trend today. Many people, both men and women alike, treat the growth of unwanted body hair as a major area of concern, both aesthetically and hygienically. Therefore, it is not surprising that more and more people consider undergoing body hair removal procedures and/or using hair removal products.
Laser Hair Removal vs. Waxing
There are many types of hair removal procedures: shaving, sugaring, waxing, tweezing or plucking, and the use of depilatory creams. Two of the most popular and controversial ones are waxing and laser hair removal.
Listed below are their respective pros and cons to hopefully help you in choosing the right hair removal procedure for you. Read on to learn more about laser hair removal and waxing.
Laser Hair Removal Pros and Cons
Laser hair removal is one of the newest procedures available to remove unwanted body hair. Laser hair removal involves a process where a laser emits a concentrated light that is then absorbed by melanin in the body hair. This light then turns into heat and causes damage to the hair follicles in the skin. This damage to the follicle impedes hair growth.
Pros:
- Longer Effectivity Period – Laser hair removal offers a longer effectivity period compared to waxing. The time between needed sessions varies from person to person but is generally longer than with other methods.
- Good Investment – Although it may seem expensive at first, it is a good investment in the long run. As its promise is a permanent (or semi-permanent) hair removal, it can save you not just money but also time spent in waxing salons.
- No Ingrown Hairs – Unlike waxing, threading, plucking and shaving, laser hair removal procedures do not cause ingrown hairs to appear in the treated area.
Cons:
- Not Suitable for Everyone – The procedure is not suitable for people with dark skin or blonde hair. Also, there are no laser hair removal procedures yet for red hair. It usually works best on people with fair skin and dark hair.
- Temporary Heat Rashes – As this procedure uses heat, there may be a possibility of the skin becoming red and itchy due to heat rashes. Taking certain drugs like antihistamines and applying non-irritating cooling creams or aloe vera to the affected area can help relieve it.
Pain Level: 6/10
Waxing Pros and Cons
On the other hand, waxing has been around for ages. Waxing the body involves any body hair being removed by putting a layer of warm wax on the skin and peeling it off after it hardens. The hardened wax encases the hair follicle and pulls it out of the skin when the hardened wax is peeled off.
Pros:
- Convenience – Waxing is practically everywhere. You can get it done at a salon or even do it yourself at home.
- All-Around – It can be performed on practically all parts of the body that need waxing, be it the underarms, upper lip or bikini area.
- Affordable – Whether at home or at the salon, waxing is one of the cheaper options in the field of body hair removal.
Cons:
- Burns – There is a high possibility of developing burns if the wax used is too hot.
- Not for Everyone- Individuals using particular types of prescription creams, such as those specifically designed for acne medication, cannot make use of this method, as it can actually pull the skin off.
- Rashes – Waxing can lead to the appearance of red rashes. It is not advisable to undergo waxing right before a special occasion, as these rashes can stay on the skin for varying lengths of time, usually an hour or more.
- Ingrown Hairs – One possible hazard when it comes to waxing is the occurrence of ingrown hairs. They typically appear when the hair under the skin breaks off and the skin gets irritated, leading to an inflammation.
Pain Level: 9/10
So, hopefully if you were on the fence about which hair removal method would best suit your needs, you have a better idea now that you know more about the differences between methods.
