How To Remove Body Hair At Home

It’s time for your monthly wax, but you’ve already spent so much of your salary on your beauty routine – we’re talking facials, manicures and pedicures or if you’re like me, you find yourself being a couch potato at every chance that you get. That calls for rescheduling those waxing appointments over and over. So, if any of these scenarios seem familiar to you, we’re here to guide you on how you can get flawless limbs, right at home for a fraction of the cost. Not to mention, you can sip on your iced latte and watch your favourite show while doing it.

First things first, before we delve into the different ways to remove body hair, it’s important to know its preceding steps – skin prep.

How To Prep Your Skin Before Hair Removal

Step 1: Start With A Clean Canvas

Always take a shower before you begin your hair removal. This helps soften the skin, removes dirt and grime from the skin’s surface and overall just eases the whole process. You can either use a loofah or an exfoliating shower gel for better cleansing.

Step 2: Exfoliate Well

An extension of the first step, you want to really unclog your pores and eliminate any loose ingrown hair by using a body scrub . Avoid chemical exfoliants before hair removal as they might irritate your skin later. Instead, opt for physical scrubs.

Note: Make sure that you follow these steps at least 3–4 hours before hair removal.

Best Ways To Remove Body Hair At Home

1. Shaving

Running late for a party? Got sensitive skin? Then shaving is for you. Start by using a shaving cream to prep your skin and always shave against the direction of hair growth. Do not pull or tug at your skin and make sure you replace the blade frequently.

Pros: You need a quick and effective hair removal method and do not want to invest too much.

Cons: Since you’re only cutting the hair, it will grow back quickly. You can also incur cuts or razor burns.

2. Waxing

It’s a widely used technique for hair removal and is quite fool-proof. When warm, melted wax is applied to the skin and pulled in a swift motion, the entire hair, including the root, is uprooted. Before waxing, however, one must ensure that their skin is dry so that the wax sticks easily. When done regularly, waxing helps to reduce body hair growth over time.

Pros: Since hair is uprooted right from the roots, it takes time to grow back. Hair grows back softer. Plus, waxing also helps to eliminate sun tan.

Cons: It is painful and can cause redness and irritation. You need to wait till the hair grows back to a quarter inch before waxing again.

3. Epilating

This is a step ahead from waxing, where a small device can remove hair from the roots, without you having to apply wax. Consider it a mess-free and quick alternative to waxing. The major difference between both of them is that with epilating, you do not have to wait for your hair to grow back to a certain length. Got a little stubble somewhere? Just grab your epilator and go at it. Always use short motions keeping the epilator at 75 degrees and keeping your skin taut. Moreover, you’ll find epilators of different sizes that can be used for smaller, delicate areas as well.

Pros: Easy to use and great for people who have sensitive skin.

Cons: May lead to ingrown hair or skin bumpiness if not done correctly. Good quality epilators can be a bit pricey.

4. Sugaring

The humble combination of sugar, lemon and water can lead to a smooth and gentle hair removal option, who knew? Sugaring, much like waxing, requires you to apply a paste of these aforementioned ingredients and pull it against the direction of hair growth. It is less irritating and gentler as compared to waxing.

Pros: It can be made with readily available ingredients. Much gentler and can be used by people with sensitive skin. It also removes hair from roots.

Cons: Can become messy. You’ll have to wait before the hair grows back about a quarter inch before you can pull it again.

Best Ways To Remove Bikini Hair At Home

1. Keep It Trimmed Down There

The latest trend in shaving is to combine it with trimming hair 'down there'. Today there's no dearth of products that offer precise removal and trimming of unwanted eyebrows and bikini line fuzz. Look for a simple trimmer and comb apparatus that works with a single blade to trim hair with a smooth shaving motion and a comb to ensure an even trim length. A helpful hint: use a transparent gel to work up a lather, so that you can navigate safely.

2. Cream-based Hair Removal

If razors leave you bruised and battered, and waxing sounds too painful, opt for depilatory lotions that simply cream away unwanted hair. Just smooth on your legs and other hairy areas, kill a minute filing your nails before stepping into the shower and rinse off. Hair removal creams contain chemicals that weaken hair at the roots so you can simply wipe them away. Amazingly easy and painless and works well for facial hair, bikini line and underarms though the smell can be a bit off-putting.

Best Ways To Remove Underarm Hair At Home

1. Razor’s The Way To Go

If you are comfortable using a razor, it’s the best way to quickly and safely remove underarm hair. Remember to use a good shaving cream or aloe vera gel so that the razor can glide smoothly and give you a close shave.

2. Wax Powder

Fear of cuts and burns keep you from trying hair-removing methods? Then this one’s for you – try a good-quality wax powder to remove underarm hair safely and gently.

3. Hair Removal Spray

Since removing underarm hair can get a little tricky, trust a spray-format hair remover to do the job. In just a few spritzes and after waiting for the advised amount of time, your underarms will be hair-free – without any fuss.

Best Body Hair Removal Techniques & Tips

1. Shaving

The oldest, quickest way to get rid of unwanted hair. Ideal for legs and underarms if you have a light growth. Now you have a host of lady shavers such as Gillette Venus Smooth Sensitive Razor and Sirona Reusable Shaving Razor to choose from. On the plus side, it's an inexpensive, painless way to get fuzz-free. But hair can grow back quickly, and since hair is cut superficially, the re-growth is blunt, not tapered, so it appears thicker. Scrapes, nicks and cuts are common, as are ingrowths.

2. Pre-Shave Routine

Having a shower first softens hair. For silk soft results, first use a loofah and a gentle exfoliating scrub like Nykaa Wanderlust Strawberry Daiquiri Body Scrub to slough off dead skin. Then, lube up with a moisturising body wash like The Body Shop Bluebell Shower Cream and use a fresh, sharp, three- or four-blade razor to whisk away hair. Reduce skin irritation by shaving in the direction of hair growth. Finally, apply a moisturising lotion to soothe irritated skin. We like the Nivea Nourishing Body Milk. If you still get bumps, try an antibiotic ointment to prevent them from getting infected.

3. The Tricky Bikini line

The latest trend in shaving is to combine it with trimming the hair 'down there'. Today, there's no dearth of products like Bombae Sensitive Trimmer that offer precise removal and trimming of unwanted eyebrow and bikini line fuzz. Look for a simple trimmer and comb apparatus that works with a single blade to trim hair with a smooth shaving motion, and a comb to ensure an even trim length. A helpful hint: use a transparent gel to work up a lather so you can navigate safely.

4. The Ouch-But-Long Lasting Way To Get Hair-Free

Anyone who has ever waxed swears by its long-lasting results. Applying warmed wax such as Rica White Chocolate Liposoluble Wax For Dry Skin or The Body Care Lemon Honey Hot Wax with Vega Wax Strips WS-01 on the area and yanking it off in the opposite direction of hair growth pulls hair out at the roots. This works well for legs, underarms, and the bikini area especially on coarse, darker hair. The reward for all that pain: you stay hair-free for at least two-three weeks. For follow up sessions, the regrowth has to be at least a quarter inch long.

5. Comfortable Waxing Tips

Experts warn that drinking coffee or colas before a session can increase pain sensitivity. If you plan on going to a salon, make sure proper hygiene is maintained and only disposable strips are used. Or you could wax from the comfort of your home with wax kits such as Veet Full Body Waxing Kit Easy-Gelwax Technology Normal Skin and HipHop Facial Wax Strips with Argan Oil for Upper lip & Sidelocks . There are several variants for different skin types. The Easy Gelwax Technology makes the process intuitive and simpler. All you need to do is ‘pull up’ with the easy grip tab for instantly smoother skin.

6. Cream Away The Hair

If razors leave you bruised and battered, and waxing sounds too painful, opt for depilatory lotions that simply cream away unwanted hair. Hair removal creams contain chemicals that weaken the hair at the roots, so you can simply wipe them away. Amazingly easy and painless, and works well for facial hair, bikini line, and underarms, though the smell can be a bit off-putting. Check out Veet 5 In 1 Skin Benefits Hair Removal Cream- Normal Skin and Everteen Bikini Line Hair Remover Cream

7. Epilators For State-Of-The-Art Hair Removal

For beauties with a reasonable pain threshold, who also hate the yucky stickiness of wax, epilators are the way to go. These are motorised devices that remove unwanted hair by trapping them in either a rotating head of small tweezers or a coiled spring or wire. Epilators produce faster hair removal than tweezing, plus it's a far safer and less messy option to hot wax or waxing strips. The best part, you stay silky-smooth for at least two to three weeks.

Nykaa recommends: Braun Silk-Epil 9-720 Cordless Epilator and Philips Epilator BRE235 . The rotation speeds and strengths can vary depending on the model, and some also include an electric razor attachment for sensitive areas.

8. Use Epilators Safely

Like other hair removal options, it’s always best to shower first. Dry your skin completely before using the device. Run the epilator in an upward motion, against the direction of the hair growth. In stubborn areas, you might want to change the epilation direction for a smoother finish. There might be some redness and irritation the first few times you use an epilator, so avoid using it on a night out. And to be extra safe, apply Dr. Sheth's Tea Tree & Lactic Acid Body Lotion after epilating. In between sessions, exfoliate with Panache Bath Brush Large Mesh or a Vega Pumice Stone with Handle Brush to prevent ingrowths.

Hair Removal Tips

Body hair removal is a personal choice. If you choose to get rid of your body hair, take our expert tips into consideration:

1. Frequent shaving can irritate the skin. Ensure you apply a pre-shave gel or cream to limit cuts, tears, and tugging of the hair.
2. Maintain a tolerable temperature of hair removal wax to reduce the probability of burns and moisturise afterward to replenish lost hydration.
3. Before using a depilatory, ensure you test it out on a small area of the skin to avoid a burning or stinging sensation.
4. Have an experienced practitioner perform laser hair removal treatment to avoid possible injuries. As per a study, the use of a sun protectant post laser treatment is a must.
5. Patch test hair removal creams and sprays on a small area of the skin to avoid the possibility of an adverse reaction or skin allergies.

Quick Takeaway

Hair removal at home can seem daunting if you’re a newbie, but it’s simple once you get the hang of it. Plus, you save a ton of money and time as you don’t depend on salon services every month. We hope this blog gave you all the info and courage you need to embark on your hair removal journey. Go forth!

FAQs: Body Hair

1. What is the safest hair removal option?

   When it comes to removing body hair, the safest option is to opt for a hair removal cream, in most cases. However, if you have sensitive skin that may react adversely to chemicals in the formula, you can try a razor as well. Make sure you prep your skin well by cleansing, exfoliating, and lathering a good shaving cream or aloe vera gel before you start shaving.

2. Does permanent hair removal last?

   While most people will go months and even years hair-free after a permanent hair removal procedure, in some cases, hair growth may come back. However, even if hair grows back, it’s usually lighter than the original density and growth rate.

3. How to remove hair forever?

   Long-term hair removal includes the following options:

   • Electrolysis
   • Laser Hair Removals
   • Prescribed hair removal creams

4. Is removing body hair important?

   The decision to remove body hair for men and women is usually dictated by societal norms. While it’s assumed that women should not have body hair, this is a personal choice and there’s no right or wrong. If you choose to remove body hair, you can opt for waxing, shaving, epilating, or hair removal treatments.

5. Are there any benefits of hair removal?

   Yes, hair removal has the following benefits:

   • Easier to maintain hygiene
   • Can help reduce sweating
   • Better absorption of skincare products