Unwanted facial or body hair is common, and there are many ways to manage it. The right method depends on your treatment area, hair characteristics, skin type, budget, tolerance for ongoing maintenance, and whether you're looking for temporary removal or longer-term hair reduction.
Common options include shaving, waxing, depilatory creams, tweezing, electrolysis, and laser hair removal. Each works differently and has its own advantages and limitations.
Shaving cuts hair at or near the surface of the skin without affecting the hair follicle underneath.
It's convenient, widely available, and relatively inexpensive upfront. However, because the follicle continues producing hair, regrowth can become noticeable relatively quickly.
Frequent shaving can also contribute to razor irritation, bumps, cuts, or ingrown hairs in some people.
Waxing removes hair from the root rather than cutting it at the skin's surface. Because of this, results generally last longer than shaving.
However, waxing remains temporary. The follicle can produce another hair, which means waxing needs to be repeated as hair regrows.
Temporary redness, sensitivity, or discomfort can occur after waxing, and some people may experience ingrown hairs.
Depilatory creams use chemical ingredients to break down hair so that it can be wiped away from the skin.
They're another temporary option and can be convenient for certain treatment areas. Hair eventually grows back because the follicle remains capable of producing new hair.
Some people may experience skin irritation or sensitivity, so it's important to follow product instructions carefully and make sure the product is intended for the area being treated.
Tweezing removes individual hairs from the root.
It can be practical for a small number of unwanted hairs, such as isolated facial hairs, but treating larger areas one hair at a time can be time-consuming.
Because the follicle remains capable of producing another hair, regrowth can occur.
Electrolysis treats individual hair follicles using a fine probe and electrical energy.
Unlike laser hair removal, electrolysis does not depend on hair pigment in the same way. This can make it an option worth discussing for individual very light, gray, white, or other hairs that may respond poorly to laser energy.
Because follicles are treated individually, electrolysis may be more practical for smaller areas or a limited number of hairs than for extensive body areas.
Laser hair removal uses controlled light energy that is absorbed by pigment associated with the hair. The energy is converted into heat, which damages the hair follicle and helps reduce future hair growth.
Rather than temporarily removing visible hair, the goal of laser treatment is significant long-term hair reduction.
Because hairs are in different stages of the growth cycle at any given time, laser hair removal generally requires a series of treatments.
The number and timing of sessions vary according to factors such as the treatment area, hair characteristics, skin type, laser technology, and individual response.
Laser hair removal depends partly on pigment in the hair to absorb laser energy.
Hair with sufficient pigment generally provides a stronger target. Very light blonde, gray, white, or red hair may respond less effectively because there is less pigment available for the laser to target.
For hairs that lack sufficient pigment for laser treatment, electrolysis may be an alternative worth discussing.
Modern laser systems can provide different wavelengths and adjustable settings that allow treatment to be customized for a range of skin types.
At Park Slope Laser Aesthetic Center, the Cynosure Elite+® platform combines Alexandrite and Nd:YAG laser technology. Treatment parameters can be selected according to factors such as skin type, hair characteristics, and treatment area. Your current service page confirms the clinic uses Elite+ and customizes treatment based on individual characteristics.
An individual assessment remains important when determining appropriate treatment settings.
Laser hair removal can be used to reduce unwanted hair on many areas of the face and body.
Common areas include:
Park Slope Laser also has a dedicated page covering laser hair removal treatment areas for women and men.
Shaving and waxing can contribute to ingrown hairs in some people, particularly in areas where hair is coarse or curly.
By reducing unwanted hair growth and decreasing the need for frequent shaving or waxing, laser hair removal may help reduce the occurrence of ingrown hairs in treated areas.
Results vary, and it shouldn't be considered a guaranteed treatment for every case of ingrown hair or skin irritation.
The answer depends on what you mean by “lasts.”
Shaving and depilatory creams remove visible hair temporarily.
Waxing and tweezing remove hair from the root, so results generally last longer than shaving, but regrowth is expected.
Laser hair removal is designed to provide significant long-term hair reduction across treated areas.
Electrolysis treats individual follicles and may be useful when treating a limited number of hairs, including hairs without enough pigment for laser treatment.
Consider several factors rather than simply asking which method is “best.”
Think about:
Someone removing a few isolated facial hairs may make a different choice from someone who wants to reduce unwanted hair across the legs, back, chest, or bikini area.
If your goal is to reduce unwanted hair over the long term and decrease your dependence on frequent shaving or waxing, laser hair removal may be worth considering.
At Park Slope Laser Aesthetic Center in Brooklyn, a consultation can help evaluate your skin type, hair characteristics, treatment areas, and goals to determine whether laser hair removal is appropriate for you.
