Fit Beauty: To shave or to wax? Or is there a better way to remove hair?

by Lauren Greschner (Subscribe to Lauren Greschner's posts)
Jan 17th 2008 6:00AM

essRemoving body hair isn't exactly high on most people's "fun things to do" list, but alas, for most of us it's just something that has to be done. I suppose the good news is that there are so many different hair removal methods out there (whether you're talking eyebrows, underarms, legs or bikini line) that we at least have some choice about how we'll free ourselves of excess hair. If you want to take a look at the long list of what's available, as well as know all of the pros and cons of each method, take a look at this article which gives a rundown on shaving, waxing, tweezing, removal creams and threading.

I admit that I've always been afraid of waxing pretty much any part of my body. Pulling hair out at the root just doesn't sound appealing to me -- although I suppose I'm somewhat of a hypocrite as I do enjoy tweezing my eyebrows. However, I know that there are tonnes of devotees out there that wouldn't think of using any other method. According to the piece, the pros really outweigh the cons as, even though it hurts, the pain is fleeting, the results are excellent and long-lasting, and it's cheap.

Shaving has always been my preferred method because it's fairly inexpensive (well, it was up until packs of razor blades became so pricey that they now get locked away behind the pharmacy counter for safekeeping), it's simple and it's painless. However, the results don't last long. You can really only expect to stay smooth for a day or two after shaving. Plus if you're doing your bikini line, you risk getting ingrown hairs and they are not fun.

As the article mentions, tweezing is pretty great for your face and there aren't many cons -- other than that you can't really do it on any other part of your body because it would take so long. Tweezing does hurt a lot at first but after a while you'll get used to it and after some practice, you'll be happy with the very precise results.

I'm not sure what my feelings are about hair removal creams. I remember trying one a decade ago that stank and was basically useless but I'd like to think that in the 10 years since, the technology has gotten better. The piece points out that hair removal creams yield similar results to shaving and many of them now smell great. However, it takes a long time especially since the hair will grow back quite quickly.

The final option listed is threading. I've only heard about the process in the last few years but it is supposed to be a great way to get rid of hair on your face, especially eyebrows. I've met a few people who have tried it and swear they will never go back to tweezing or waxing. According to the article, the major con with threading is that, since it's a relatively new trend, it's pretty costly.

If you want to know a bit more about each of these hair removal methods you can see the article in its entirety here.

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Comments (26)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

crys 1-23-2008 @ 12:42PM

I guess I'm cheap and lazy LOL. I get my eyebrows waxed every few months. Other than that, I use a shaver to remove unwanted hair. Being that I have light hair, it doesn't show up that bad. So, I can go a long time between eyebrow waxes. What makes me lazy is that I don't shave my legs nearly as often in the winter. If I'm wearing kneehighs or hose, I do a quick shave. I take care of my pits, but my legs get neglected. Then I shave almost everyday in summer keeping them soft. Maybe if I wasn't single, I'd pay more attention. (or maybe that's why I'm single? lol)

Toni 1-23-2008 @ 1:03PM

I got news for this author. The hair removal creams still stink. I haven't found one that smells even remotely decent. They don't work all that well either. $5-$6 for a bottle that makes you stink for hours and you still have hair. For a bonus, you might even get a good first degree chemical burn for your effort. You would be lucky to get 2 or 3 applications out of the deal. I'll stick to shaving. It works. The price is right. It's (relatively) painless, especially with the multiple blades. Almost never nick myself. Haven't tryed any of the hair ripping methods other than tweezing my eyebrows myself. Can't understand paying somebody else to do that. It's the least painful after you get out of the shower.

alicia2801 1-26-2008 @ 3:45PM

Avon sells a great facial hair remover cream. Just out it on , wait 8 minutes and wip away. The smell isn't bad and it doesn't sting. www.youravon.com/apelletier

Parini 1-19-2008 @ 8:20PM

Actually, threading is dirt cheap. It costs me four dollars to get my eyebrows done. And threading isn't new at all. Threading has been around for hundreds of years and was and still is somewhat mainly practiced by people from India.

bill 1-19-2008 @ 8:39PM

God gave us hair so we should let it grow

JmA 1-19-2008 @ 9:39PM

I agree..threading is dirt cheap! I pay 8 bucks for my lip(which...12 yrs of threading it..I never get over the pain..it does hurt a lil more than getting yoru lip waxed..I wont lie) and my eyebrows(which I dont find hurts at all)..total..and i tip the lady the 2 bucks so for 10 Im set. So much better than waxing..neater looking..no braking out from wax on your skin..seems to last longer or maybe because Ive been doing it since high school..it doesnt grow back as much? I dunno.. :)
I highly recommend it to waxing or tweezing anyday!!!

ann kirshner 1-19-2008 @ 9:41PM

anyone ever try laser hair removal. expensive, takes about a year depending on body part but permanent and smooth

taylornicole 1-19-2008 @ 9:55PM

threading is very very good
but it hurts SO BAD.

tsdennison 1-19-2008 @ 10:35PM

As A really hairy guy, whom my estranged wife had a problem with growth, how do I deal with it . My ex only complained about my shoulders and back.

LOUIS PHILLIPpE 1-20-2008 @ 3:15AM

PLEASE TRY LASER REMOVAL. IT IS A LITTLE MORE EXPENSIVE BUT THE HAIR NEVER COMES BACK.
I had a very hairy back chest arms upper legs and in 5 three hours sessions I got rid of it for good.No pain.
No redness or chaffing.Very sanitary.
Done by a plastic surgeon in his office.
For only $800.00 I got rid of a thick angora sweater leg warmers and upper arms sleeves.

cece 1-19-2008 @ 10:41PM

Why is someone with little experience writing an article? Go try some new things and THEN write about it!
Threading is great and inexpensive! I think it hurts less than tweezing.

mar mily 1-19-2008 @ 11:04PM

I'm surprised that epilators aren't included. They've come a long way and I couldn't imagine life without one. I purchased my Emjoi five years ago and I use it on my face, legs and armpits. It stung a bit until I mastered it but now it's a cinch.

Little Big Man 1-19-2008 @ 11:01PM

What exactly is threading and can anyone tell me how to get ride of these anoying and nasty hairs in my nose once and for all (barring and expensive lazer removal process)?

Ginny 1-19-2008 @ 11:57PM

Threading is not expensive. My threading person just upped her price to $7 and she gives my brows such a nice, natural shape. It takes longer than waxing, but for me, there's far less redness and it's more precise. For the person who asked what threading is, Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern women seem to specialize in this process -- my eyes are always closed but apparently they take cotton sewing thread and pull the hairs out by the roots with it. It doesn't hurt as much as if someone were trying to shape both my brows from scratch with tweezers.

Di 1-20-2008 @ 12:09AM

Threading is great and lasts a long time but you have to let the hair grow back to get long enough to thread again.Laser is expensive and painful and grows back also.

Cindy 1-20-2008 @ 12:32AM

I am quite surprised that sugaring was not listed as a way to remove hair. Sugaring is similar to waxing, but is less painful-at least for me. The paste can actually be eaten-I wouldn't recommend it. What makes it good is you can wipe if off unlike wax which you have to pull off. The method you use is to heat the paste, apply it like wax then use muslin strips and pull the hairs off. After using it a few times you get used to the sting. Sorta like pulling a band-aid off. I use Alexandra brand which can be found on the internet. Works just as well as the waxing but is much less painful.

Mike Sanders 1-20-2008 @ 12:57AM

The byproduct of "ear candling," is a soft, darkened wax, which might be useful in the removal of excess hair, from the body. This natural wax, provides a ph-balanced, all-natural way of disovling the hair folicle, at the root. Although, it takes quite a bit of time to collect enough ear wax to perform a single dipillatory procedure, it is safe and painless. Ear-candling should only be performed by a registered candler, as the procedure involves the lighting of an ear-cone and can be extremely dangerous. Ear candles can be puchased through alternative medicine shops and practitioners.

Julie 1-20-2008 @ 1:01AM

For those of you who can handle waxing, the cheapest, easiest alternative I've found is....don't laugh....duct tape! It works just like waxing, but is less messy, and extremely cheap!

Chuckles 1-20-2008 @ 2:35AM

Oh wow that's so funny. Great idea, though! Could you write more about it? Does it hurt more than regular waxing?

Julie 1-20-2008 @ 3:05AM

I've been using duct tape for a few years now....it's definitely nowhere near as messy as waxing, doesn't hurt, once you get used to it - just stings a bit, and if you put your hand over the area you've just taped, the stinging stops. Another benefit is that once you tape for awhile, the hair grows in much sparser - yank out the roots and those won't grow again....Just apply a piece of duct tape to the area you want to remove hair, then quickly remove the tape, keeping the tape as close to the skin as possible....pull tape in the reverse direction hair grows. I normally just use it on my legs...I found it pretty painful on the underarms, and since that just doesn't take much to shave, I'll keep the taping to my legs!

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