Hair Removal 101

Home hair removal is a growing industry and there are many fantastic products on the market that make getting rid of unwanted body hair safe, effective and affordable. In the last few years many new innovations have led to laser-like therapies, improved hair removal creams and epilators that are better than they’ve ever been before. Let’s take a look at the most popular methods of at home hair removal and some of the leading products on today’s market.

Many of you have been to professional laser treatment clinics and you know that this approach to hair removal can be very effective. You also know that it is very expensive! Single visits to remove hair on legs alone, for example, can cost well over $500! Thankfully, there are now some outstanding alternatives you can use at home!

Method: Home laser systems use UV light to target the pigment in the hair. The laser heats the hair and destroys it down to the follicle. The results often become permanent with repeated use.

Means: Home systems use pulsing laser or light technology to deliver a short, intense burst that does the job. Sections up to 1-inch square are treated, usually with some overlap. The products we recommend have settings from fairly mild to fairly intense. Lower settings probably won’t produce any discomfort while high settings can cause mild pain in some users. The pain dissipates quickly, however.

Target: These tools are used wherever unwanted hair grows including arms, chest, back, shoulders, under arms and face. This method is only for those with lighter skin.

Success Rate: With time these treatments provide one of the best opportunities for permanent success. Since hair grows cyclically, and only hair in an active growth phase can be destroyed, it will take about 1 year to eradicate all the unwanted hair. Good results begin, however, with just 1 or 2 treatments.

Best Benefits: Possible permanent hair removal that can be accomplished in the privacy and comfort of your home.

Cost: Products cost under $500 for the most part, a great savings over having laser treatment in a professional clinic.

Best Products: We rate most highly the Tria Laser Hair Removal System and the Silk’n SensEpil with HLP.

There have been a few over the counter hair removal creams on the market but the results they achieved were never very good. In addition, they could be very harsh on the skin. A new generation of hair removal creams offers much better results and safety for your skin.

Method: Hair removal creams use a safe and effective acid to weaken hair below the surface of the skin so that the hair can easily be removed when the cream is wiped off with a gentle, moist towel.

Means: Apply lightly the cream and leave it in place for 7-15 minutes, depending on the area of your skin you are treating before you wipe it off. Always pay close attention to the included instructions. Most users feel no residual burning or discomfort from these creams, at least not those we recommend. They are made with skin soothers and moisturizers and pack other good things that leave your skin in better condition than when you started.

Target: Hair removal creams are safe to use anywhere on your body where unwanted hair is a nuisance.

Success Rate: For most types of hair, even coarse or ethnic hair, these creams will work. The effect lasts from 1-3 weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows. With repeated use the hair follicle may be weakened. Many users report their hair grows more slowly and is weaker, and in some cases it does not return.

Best Benefits: A great alternative to the hassles of shaving, and even better results.

Cost: Prices vary but the cost of hair removal cream ranges from $25 to $49 per month.

Best Products: Dermology and Revitol Hair Removal Cream are the products we recommend and rate most highly.

Those of you who have been using an old Emjoi epilator or older Braun model will be pleased to know that a new generation of epilators has been introduced that does a better job with greater comfort, too.

Method: Epilators work by removing the entire hair from the follicle, root and all. They are far more effective than shaving because the hair is removed well below the surface of the skin.

Means: Epilators employ up to 40 small tweezers on a rotating head to grasp and remove the hair. These tools are effective at removing even fairly short hair, an improvement over older models. Users report a small amount of discomfort or tingling of the skin which subsides quickly. Small red dots at the follicle may also appear and disappears fairly quickly.

Target: Used most commonly on the legs, chest arms and back. The models we recommend also include a shaving head for sensitive areas including under arms and the bikini area.

Success Rate: Epilators do a very good job removing all the hair from the area, including short hairs that are just growing. They can be used on hair that is fine, medium or thick with equal success. With repeated use the hair that does grow back will likely be finer and easier to remove. Some users also report better success when they exfoliate prior to using epilators.

Best Benefits: Comprehensive hair removal that lasts from 2-4 weeks and can be done with little pain or discomfort.

Cost: The best epilators on the market cost between $99 and $149. Most come with various accessories for use on various areas.

Best Products: Braun continues to dominate the epilator field. We really like the Braun SE7281WD Xpressive Wet and Dry Body System which can be used in the bath or shower if you prefer, for added convenience and the soothing comfort of warm or cool water. We also highly recommend the Silk-epil Xpressive Epilator SE7781 for an updated, more comfortable approach to traditional epilating.