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The Complete Guide to Hair Removal
From electrolysis to threading, we break it all down for you here.
How do the different techniques work? What do they cost? And will it hurt? Here’s the scoop.
Laser
Laser hair removal isn’t cheap: the bikini area costs roughly $1,650, and full legs run about $3,400. But once the hair is gone, it’s gone forever.
Laser hair removal usually requires about six sessions spaced six to eight weeks apart, says Eric Berger, M.D., director of Berger Medical Aesthetics in New York City. Hair grows in three phases and is vulnerable to the laser only during one. About 60% of existing hair is eliminated at each session. There is some pain, but a topical anesthetic cream is applied and is quite effective.
Note: Despite what some laser centers may claim, laser cannot remove blond or white hair; hair must contain pigment for the laser light to be absorbed.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis uses a needle that delivers a small electrical current to individual hairs. It’s the most painful hair-removal option, says Cindy Barshop, owner of the Completely Bare Hi-Tech Spa in New York City and Palm Beach. “It’s good for something like removing a single gray hair from your chin,” she notes.
Electrolysis has dropped in price as other techniques have become more popular. It runs $75 to $150 an hour, says Barshop. Total cost depends on the number of hairs being zapped and how long it takes to perform the service.
Multiblade razors
Shaving is okay for fine hair, but coarse hair can become ingrown, Barshop says. As for the current multiblade craze, “a razor with two or three blades will probably give a closer shave,” she says. “But beyond that, it’s more of a marketing thing.”
A pack of three good-quality disposable razors costs about $12. Pain isn’t an issue, but shaving the sensitive bikini area can irritate it.
Threading
Usually done on the eyebrows, threading can also be used on other parts of the body, says Barshop, who considers it the second most painful technique, after electrolysis. Cotton thread is twisted and rolled along the surface of the skin, entwining the hair in the thread. The hair is then lifted out from the follicle.
Threading lasts as long as eight weeks. A quick eyebrow cleanup will cost about $10 and a complete leg threading will cost about $45.
Waxing
Wax is applied to the area, allowed to harden and then quickly pulled off to remove hair. Yep, it hurts. Some salons may apply a local anesthetic before waxing, Barshop says. Waxing lasts from four to six weeks.
A bikini wax runs from $65 to $85, and a leg wax costs from $75 to $150. Some salons sell home-waxing kits (a six- to eight-month supply) for about $135, says Barshop.
Depilatories
Depilatories were popular until waxing and laser removal techniques arrived. “Now very few people are doing it, ” says Berger. A chemical breaks down the hair and causes it to fall out. The hair grows back as quickly as it would if you shaved. The cost is about $4 to $7 at the drugstore.
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I waxed my bikini area every summer about every 6 weeks, and after the summer months, I would wax every 3 months until spring came around. I then started again with the 6 weeks waxing treatments. Yes, it hurts at first...the first pull is the most painful, but after that, the area starts to become numb. After 3 years of this, I didn't have to wax anymore. The bikini hair was so light and fine, that all have to do now, is use a good 3 blade razor (I use a men's Mach-3..it's the BEST). My bikini area was dark brown hair, and thick, but now I'm glad I stuck with the waxings, because now it's a simple light shave, and it's so smooth, and never any stubbles. GOOD LUCK!
i havent wax my bikini area ever ,, every time i imagine the pain & then become afraid of doing it ,,, hope i can do it :S ,,,