How to Get Rid of Unwanted Hair: Laser Hair Removal and Other Popular Methods

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• What Are the Most Common Unwanted Hair Types?
• How to Get Rid of Unwanted Hair
• Benefits of Laser Hair Removal
• Explore Safe and Effective Hair Removal

Keeping unwanted hair at bay is a long-documented struggle for humanity. From Egyptian nobles to members of Europe’s high society, smooth skin has been documented throughout ancient history as a status symbol and a standard of beauty. 

Despite thousands of years of working to achieve smooth and soft skin, it can still feel like a struggle to figure out how to get rid of unwanted hair and the discomfort and negative attention it brings. Whether it’s on your legs, back, or face, dealing with hair in unwanted places can feel like a constant chore.

Thanks to advancements in medical aesthetics, options like laser hair removal now offer permanent hair removal solutions that are effective, long-lasting, and accessible. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common types of unwanted hair and popular ways to remove it.

Most Common Unwanted Hair Types

While many use their hair to achieve a specific look or aesthetic, unwanted hair growth on parts of our face or body can lead to discomfort and embarrassment. Our team creates a personalized approach to each treatment we offer, but there are a few common areas for which we see requests for hair removal, including:

• The sideburns and chin
• Arms and underarms
• Chest
• Back 
• Shoulders
• Stomach
• Bikini
• Legs
• Facial hair (including upper lip, jawline, and cheeks)

If you are combatting hair growth in any of the areas above, it’s a great idea to consult with a licensed, board-certified dermatologist to discuss strategies that will eliminate hair without impacting your skin’s health. Learn more about why it is critical to meet with an experienced dermatologist here. 

Understanding Facial Hair Removal Options

Facial hair removal presents unique challenges and opportunities compared to body hair removal. The delicate nature of facial skin requires careful consideration when choosing between temporary and permanent solutions. Facial hair removal can be achieved through various methods, ranging from temporary solutions like shaving and waxing to more permanent options like laser hair removal. Other methods include depilatory creams, threading, and dermaplaning.

The precision required for facial hair removal, particularly around sensitive areas like the upper lip, chin, and jawline, makes technique selection crucial. Whether you’re dealing with fine peach fuzz or coarser hair growth, understanding your options will help you make the best choice for your skin type and hair removal goals.

Laser Hair Removal and Other Popular Elimination Methods

There are various routes to tackling unwanted hair. If you want a more comfortable and long-lasting approach, consider our laser hair removal treatment. 

To learn how to get rid of unwanted hair we will examine some of the most popular methods, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD). To better care for your skin, watch the AAD’s tutorials on basic hair removal.

Shaving

Why People Choose to Shave

Shaving has been a standard hair removal method for thousands of years. Safety razors were introduced in the early 1900s and have become a mainstay in grooming and hair removal. When you shave, you use a razor to cut hair at the skin level, resulting in a smooth feeling. Most people choose to shave today because it is relatively easy to learn and one of the less expensive options. 

Potential Problems With Shaving

While safety razors have significantly lowered the risk of cuts and nicks to the skin, they can still lead to injury and skin irritation, like razor bumps and ingrown hairs. Since shaving eliminates hair at the skin level, individuals must shave frequently to maintain smooth skin. For facial hair removal, daily shaving may be necessary, which can lead to increased skin sensitivity and irritation over time.

Waxing

Why People Wax

Waxing is another hair removal method. It has deep historical roots in bygone civilizations but remains prevalent today. Whether you choose a hot or cold wax method, you apply an adhesive to your skin that captures the hair and allows you to pull it out by the root. Most people wax because it is effective for removing hair from large sections of the body and lasts longer than shaving.

Potential Problems With Waxing

The waxing process can be painful due to the quick removal of the wax from the skin and hair, and it can be more difficult to learn on your own. If you do not wax independently, ensure your estheticians follow proper wax application practices, including proper hygienics, as reusing wax dipping sticks can lead to infection. Facial waxing requires extra care due to the sensitive nature of facial skin.

Depilatories

Why People Use Depilatories

Depilatories are a popular option for removing unwanted hair due to their ease of use. Depilatories are topical creams, gels or lotions that contain ingredients that break down naturally occurring proteins in hair, allowing the hair to be wiped away. 

Potential Problem With Depilatories

The biggest thing to prepare for when using a depilatory is your skin’s reaction. A careful trial is essential, as different skin types can react differently to the cream’s active ingredients. These products can irritate your skin. Some of these creams can also cause a foul odor due to the chemical reaction between the active ingredients and your hair. Facial skin is particularly sensitive to these chemical reactions.

Threading

Why People Thread

Threading, known as epilation, uses tightly wound cotton threads to pull hairs by their roots. This practice is often used in eyebrow care due to its precision. Like plucking your eyebrows with tweezers, epilation can last longer than shaving because the hair is removed from its root. Threading is particularly popular for facial hair removal because of its precision and suitability for sensitive skin.

Potential Problems With Threading

Like waxing, threading requires practice and can cause one’s eyebrows or other facial hair to look uneven if done improperly. The technique requires skill to achieve symmetrical results, especially for eyebrow shaping.

Dermaplaning

Why People Choose Dermaplaning

Dermaplaning is a specialized facial hair removal technique that uses a surgical scalpel to gently scrape away fine facial hair and dead skin cells. This method is particularly effective for removing peach fuzz and provides the added benefit of exfoliation, leaving skin smooth and radiant.

Considerations for Dermaplaning

While dermaplaning can provide immediate results and improve product absorption, it requires professional training to perform safely. Improper technique can lead to cuts or skin irritation.

Laser Hair Removal: The Gold Standard for Permanent Hair Removal

Why People Choose Laser Hair Removal

Finally, let’s take a closer look at the most modern method of hair removal: laser hair removal. While it is the most technically difficult, an expert hand can help make it the least painful and longest-lasting of any hair removal process.

Laser hair removal uses diode laser beams to pass directly through the skin into the root of the hair follicle. The penetrating energy heats up the root of the hair and prevents future hair growth. After a handful of sessions, the hair follicle can be completely eliminated. Laser hair removal is safe, efficient, fast and comfortable. 

The greatest strength of this hair removal method is that it can help you permanently eliminate unwanted hair on virtually any part of your body.

Laser Hair Removal for Facial Hair

Laser hair removal for facial hair is a popular and effective method for permanently reducing or eliminating facial hair. It works by targeting the pigment in the hair follicles, delivering pulses of light that destroy them, preventing future hair growth. While multiple treatments are usually needed for optimal results, laser hair removal offers a safe and long-lasting solution for those seeking to remove facial hair.

The precision of modern laser technology makes it particularly well-suited for facial hair removal, allowing practitioners to target specific areas while protecting surrounding skin. Pulsed light hair removal systems can be calibrated to match different skin tones and hair colors, ensuring effective treatment across diverse populations.

Former Problems With Laser Hair Removal

In the past, some laser hair removal treatments targeted melanin in the hair follicle, making them less effective on light-colored hair and darker skin tones. Today, laser treatment is effective on all hair colors and skin tones. While multiple sessions are required, laser hair removal can help individuals reduce the time and money spent on any former hair removal methods while maintaining smooth skin. 

Explore Safe and Effective Laser Hair Removal from Cayce Medical Spa in Columbia, MO

If you’re ready to eliminate annoying or unsightly hair, check out the laser hair removal options available at Cayce’s Medical Spa. Visit our Contact Us page to schedule a consultation today