Article by BR Tabatha
With so many choices in life it can be hard to make a decision. This is where the handy pros and cons list never fails. (Unless your name is Ross Geller).
We're looking at different hair removal options this week at Beauty Review so we thought we'd give you the pros and cons of the more popular at-home hair removal methods - Shaving, Waxing, Epilating and Depilatory Creams.
| Pros | Cons |
| Shaving - Best for legs and underarms |
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Quick and easy. Readily available from your supermarket. You can borrow your hubbie's razor in an emergency. It's painless. It actually helps exfoliate dry skin. Shaving creams can help moisturise your skin, keeping it smooth.
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Ingrown Hairs. The results will only last a day or so before your skin feels stubbly. Can cause razor burn if you don't use a good shaving cream or gel. You can cut yourself - scabs do not a smooth leg make. Over time it's an expensive method, with the ongoing cost of replacing blades and shaving creams/gels. You need to be in the bath or shower really, or at least have warm water available. Shaving is the most time consuming at-home hair removal method, with the average shaver spending 5min a day shaving (2.5 hours a month) |
| Waxing - Best for legs, bikini area, upper lip, underarms and eyebrows |
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| Waxing results can last 3-4 weeks Hair grows back finer. After a period of years hair growth becomes sparse. There's a choice of kits, from roll on waxes, wax strips and microwavable wax. Waxing is quite a time efficient hair removal method with the average waxer spending an hour a month waxing. |
Ingrown Hairs. Pain - depending on your individual pain threshold it can be quite painful. Waxing isn't suitable for sensitive skin. Waxing can bruise and tear skin if improper technique is used. Waxing can be very messy. At-home waxing generally requires a 2mm growth of hair. |
| Epilating - Best for legs, underarms, arms, bikini area and face |
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Results can last 3-5 weeks. Hair grows back finer. After a period of years hair growth becomes sparser. Hair only needs to be 0.5mm to be epilated. There are no chemicals/products used so it's great for sensitive skin. Epilators can be used on most areas of hair growth. There is no mess nor need for rinsing. After the initial expense there are no ongoing costs. Epilating is considered the fastest hair removal method with the average woman spending 40 minutes a month epilating.
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Ingrown Hairs. Pain - depending on your individual pain threshold it can be quite painful. The intitial outlay can be quite pricey. You'll need to be near a power point or keep it charged up. |
| Depilatory Cream - Best for upper lip, underarms and bikini area |
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Pain free. Very affordable. A great method for beginners in hair removal. It removes hair just below the surface, so can boast longer results than shaving.
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It can be messy. Generally depilatory creams have an unpleasant smell. You'll need to leave the cream on for around 10 minutes to see results. Sensitive skin may be easily irritated by the cream. The results do not last more than a few days. Will need rinsing off.
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I have converted to getting lazer on underarm and bikini area, so worth the money!!
I shave my legs but the results never last long and can leave my skin a bit worse for wear. I really want to give the epilator a go