Some individuals prefer hairless underarms as a matter of personal choice, while for others it may be for reasons related to hygiene: They want to reduce sweating and body odor.
Electrolysis is one of the most effective treatments to permanently remove underarm hair. This process uses electric current to destroy each individual follicle so it cannot grow back again.
Waxing
Waxing underarms to achieve smooth underarms is an effective method that removes hair at its source, unlike shaving which only trims it. Although waxing may be painful, it’s relatively quick and slows hair growth. Exfoliation should also take place prior to waxing for added effectiveness in clearing away any ingrown hairs from the area.
Waxing should be performed prior to periods, when your skin tends to be more delicate. Before getting started, clean the area you intend to wax with warm water and dry it thoroughly; this will allow the wax to stick more securely with your skin. You should also use some baby powder as this may prevent sticky patches of wax. When applying wax follow the package directions carefully as well as testing on small patches of skin first to see how it reacts.
If your pain threshold is low, try applying topical anesthetic or taking painkillers prior to beginning. Waxing should be repeated every 4-6 weeks depending on how quickly your hair grows back.
If you prefer more permanent solutions, laser hair removal treatments offer permanent solutions that may permanently eliminate underarm hair growth. Unfortunately, however, this treatment option is more costly and usually requires multiple sessions over multiple weeks to achieve results.
Threading
Threading may be an ancient hair removal method, but its popularity in Western culture is fairly recent. Practitioners utilize twisted cotton thread to catch hair at its source without pulling skin along with it [source: WebMD].
Experienced technicians are adept at using thread to quickly and precisely remove short rows of hair with great accuracy. “Unlike tweezing, which pulls one single hair at a time out with forceps, thread grabs multiple hairs in groups at the same time and pulls them all at once,” according to Umbreen Sheikh of Wink Brow Bar in New York City. It also works particularly well on areas that waxing cannot access such as eyebrows, upper lips and sides of faces – as thread can reach all corners.
Threading may cause discomfort, but is typically less so than waxing and requires no skin contact (it’s much more precise than tweezing), making it suitable for people with sensitive skin who might otherwise experience irritation from chemicals or waxing treatments.
Thread can sometimes rub against the skin and cause redness or irritation on sensitive skin types, however to minimize this a skilled technician may recommend using a cooling gel containing rose water or aloe vera for added comfort.
As a general guideline, it’s best to seek professional threading services, either from a salon that specializes in this service or online. Your threader may start by wiping down the area clean before applying a bit of alcohol directly on your skin before wrapping a small cloth around your torso with thread. Some salons offer post-treatment cooling gels containing aloe vera or tea tree oil for an improved finish.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis may be one solution to permanently remove armpit hair. This treatment involves inserting a thin wire into each hair follicle and using an electrical current to destroy it; the damage to its structure stops new hair growth while simultaneously causing existing ones to fall out. Electrolysis is time-consuming and costly but offers permanent results.
Finding a qualified electrologist to conduct your treatment is of utmost importance. Ask friends and family for recommendations before visiting prospective offices of potential electrologists – check that their offices are clean with staff using proper hygiene techniques; discuss any medical history you may have such as autoimmune disease or pregnancy concerns so your electrologist can avoid complications during their procedures.
Plucking or tweezing, another pain-free method of hair removal, can easily be completed at home. When plucking, be sure that all tweezers used have been thoroughly cleaned – otherwise unhygienic ones could cause skin infections and ingrown hairs! Though more time-consuming than shaving, plucking can deliver effective and lasting results.
Laser hair removal can be an expensive but effective solution for people with medium and dark skin tones, using lasers to target individual follicles with laser light beams, thus permanently reducing underarm hair growth. Unfortunately, however, laser hair removal requires multiple sessions in order to see results and requires selecting an experienced dermatologist in order to reduce scarring or infection; but ultimately it’s worth the investment if you want your underarm hair removed forever!
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal is one of the only long-term solutions available to permanently reduce underarm hair. The procedure involves multiple treatments that can effectively rid of this unsightly stubble for weeks, months or years – usually covered with protective gel or cream before being exposed to an intense beam of light that targets and destroys pigmented follicles – leaving any remaining hair finer and less noticeable after each session.
Similar to shaving, electrolysis uses electric current to effectively extract hair from its roots and prevent its regrowth. Unfortunately, however, this process requires multiple sessions every four to six weeks; and may cause some pain depending on your own tolerance levels.
No matter which method you select for hair removal, it is essential that you commit to an ongoing routine in order to stop unwanted growth and keep your underarms feeling silky smooth and silky – this will also help combat body odor issues as sweat accumulation in your armpits is one of the primary sources. If any discomfort or side effects arise during treatment, be sure to communicate this to your provider and they may help find solutions to minimize them. In general, however, you should be able to resume normal activities after completion of therapy. Be sure to protect your skin from sun exposure before and after laser hair removal as prolonged sun exposure may cause discoloration and blistering in the treatment area. Also, it would be a wise move to refrain from shaving, plucking, or waxing in this area prior to starting laser hair removal treatment.
Depilatory Creams
Permanent underarm hair removal techniques such as waxing, threading and depilatory creams offer long-term and painless solutions for permanent removal. Furthermore, these options tend to be cheaper compared to waxing or laser treatments.
Depilatory creams generally work by loosening the bond that holds hair in place using harsh chemicals, and depilating near or at the skin’s surface to remove hairs near its surface. Depilatory products can be found at beauty stores and pharmacies alike; however, those with sensitive skin may experience redness or irritation from using such products due to conditions like rosacea, eczema, psoriasis or sunburn – individuals in such conditions should always conduct a patch test before starting any such products that could potentially harm them.
One drawback of using depilatory creams is their limited effectiveness in removing hair at the skin level; you will still need to pluck or shave any stubborn strands left behind, and make sure you thoroughly wash the area afterwards to avoid chemical burns.
Shaving is another popular way of removing underarm hair, but it may lead to irritation or infections due to razor bumps. Furthermore, shaving provides only temporary solutions as hair will regrow quickly after its removal.
