What’s the best way to remove body hair? Maybe you want to go au naturale. Or maybe you’re looking to wax it, trim it, style it, or explore one of the many other methods out there. Everyone has different reasons for deciding what they do with the hair on their body.
Here is your go-to guide for all things hair removal. Breaking down all the options, by the time you finish reading, you’ll be confident knowing all there is to know. Ultimately, you’ll be informed to make the decision that works for you.
- What is hair removal?
- What are the main types of hair removal?
- Locations of hair removal
- Hair removal for men
What is hair removal?
Hair removal is the process of eliminating hair from the face, armpits, arms, legs or pubic regions. Broadly, there are two approaches to hair removal: depilation and epilation.
Depilation is the removal of hair just above the surface of the skin, usually through shaving or trimming.
Epilation, on the other hand, involves the complete removal of body hair, even the roots below the skin, such as in waxing or plucking. This means the hair takes much longer to grow back.
What are the main types of hair removal?
Waxing
Waxing is a procedure that involves the application of hot or cold wax to the skin, in the direction of hair growth. Fabric strips are placed on and quickly stripped off, pulling the hair and roots out as well.
There are some waxing options on the market that are stripless - so the hardened wax can be removed directly. There is also the option of ready-to-use wax strips, perfect for when you are in a rush. Waxing is best suited for use on the legs, arms, underarms, upper lip and bikini area.
This process can be more painful than other methods, but you will enjoy its results for much longer than simply shaving as you're removing hair from the root. Hair can take weeks to grow back and there may be less hair than before.
Plucking
Plucking out hair using tweezers takes time and can be painful, so it’s really only useful for small areas such as the eyebrows or upper lip.
Depilatory Creams
Depilatory cream dissolves hair by breaking down its keratin (protein) structure. As you apply the cream, the base of the hair thins and weakens. When you wipe the cream away, the root of the hair breaks below the surface.
This can be used on the bikini and underarms area, and is an easy and inexpensive method. Be sure to check it works with your skin type by performing a patch test 24 hours before use. To see our Veet creams, click here.
Hair Trimmers
Hair trimmers are great for removing hair easily and quickly. The benefit of this method is that you don’t need any water, cream or gel. And there may be less chance of accidental cuts.
Shaving
Shaving with a razor is an option for removing hair from most places of the body, but it only produces short term results. Shaving cuts away hair at the skin’s surface, not the root, and so you’ll see regrowth after a day or two. Shaving is easy, quick and cheap, but the results are not very long lasting.
Locations of hair removal
Different methods of hair removal may work better for different areas of the body. How long you want results to last, and how much time and money you wish to spend on the process, all play a part in this. Here, we delve into the various locations of hair removal and our recommendations for how you could remove hair.
Face
For small and delicate areas like the upper lip, cheeks and chin, we would recommend the Veet® Easy-Gel Face Wax Strips. This method is efficient, quick and easy to use. The wax strips are the right size for manoeuvring around the contours of the face, and with regular use, you’ll get fewer, finer and softer hairs growing back. Alternatively, if you are just waxing the upper lip you can use one of our warm waxes.
It’s important to be gentle on your face, as this is a sensitive area. Here are a few handy tips to ensure you get the best results:
- Use a facial cleanser before waxing and ensure that your face is dry.
- Hold the skin taut and remove the wax in a swift, single motion.
Underarms
Underarms are another area of the body that some people remove their hair from. If you choose to wax, why not try the Veet® Easy-Gel Underarm Wax Strips.
Bikini Line
For your bikini line, waxing and depilatory creams are commonly used for hair removal. Here we explore each option, so you can decide which is the best for you.
- Waxing is a great option for bikini line hair removal because the hairs are removed from the root, meaning you won’t need to maintain it as often. For the easiest option with minimal mess, cold wax strips are perfect - we’d recommend Veet® Easy-Gel Bikini Wax Strips. All you have to do is slowly peel the strips apart and press down onto your skin, rubbing repeatedly in the direction of hair growth. Then hold your skin taut, and pull the strip back on itself as fast as you can. Find somewhere comfortable to do your waxing. We suggest laying a towel on the end of your bed, and placing your feet flat on the floor, with a pillow behind your head. This will help you see what you are doing. Keep a mirror on hand also, to help with those hard to see areas.
- Depilatory creams are fast and convenient, coming in a range of different formats. It is important to follow the instructions and not to exceed the time indicated with depilatory creams. If you find one or two stubborn hairs remaining, just pluck these rather than reapplying.
Legs
Waxing is very commonly used for leg hair removal, because it produces long lasting smoothness. However, if you have a low tolerance for discomfort, hair removal cream and shaving are quick and easy options. Veet even makes a Spray On Hair Removal Cream, which can save you lots of time.
Hair Removal for Men
Hair removal for men is becoming more and more common these days. Depending on the area you wish to groom, there are a number of different methods to try, so take a look below to find out what could work for you.
Chest Hair Removal for Men
A symbol of manliness in some cultures, a chest thick with hair is something many men take pride in. But if the tousled look is not for you, there are different removal methods to try. Waxing your chest can be a bit of a painful option. It offers longlasting smoothness, but this may be a daunting commitment if you’ve never tried a hairless chest before. A great short-term solution could be using a depilatory cream.
Underarm Hair Removal for Men
Scissors and razors are options for underarm hair removal. The Veet® For Men Hair Removal Gel Cream can also do the job quickly and easily, giving results in as little as three minutes with no risk of razor cuts.
Back Hair Removal for Men
Some areas of your back can be hard to reach, so we'd recommend enlisting an extra set of hands. Whether it’s a depilatory cream or a wax being applied to the back, another person should always assist.
Whichever method you settle on, we hope you get amazing results! For more information about hair removal products, visit our products page.
The above information is provided for guidance only and results may vary for each person.
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