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How to Remove Body Hair

Body hair can be annoying if it's growing where it's unwanted. Sometimes, certain hairs can be removed permanently, other times semi-permanently. You'll likely need to repeat procedures, however. Learn the options for both men and women here.

Shaving It Off

Shaving is the most popular technique to eliminate body hair. Here's more information on shaving body hair:

Men have the option of using specialty back shavers, designed to easily allow you to shave your back and shoulders.
It's a myth that shaving body hair makes it grow back thicker and darker, according to the Mayo Clinic. Shaving blunts the hair tip, which makes it seem as if it's coarse and stubbly.
When shaving your chest hairs, use your finger to cover your nipples, warns Gillette, makers of razors. It's a little known tip that will prevent a common mistake.
Though it's not common, both men and women shave their forearms. Beware of elbow nicks, razor burns resulting in extra dry skin, stubble and ingrown hairs. Never exfoliate arms before shaving, but always moisturize before and after.

Waxing It Off

Waxing is another age-old method of body hair removal. Luckily, waxing has advanced over the years. It's rare to have sticky and messy waxing that pinches the skin when removed. Today's waxes are creamier and stick to the skin only. When the wax is removed, it feels like a bandage is being pulled off. It's still not the most pleasant method for the genital area. Waxing lasts for about a month or more before it has to be repeated.

Using Depilatories

Over-the-counter depilatory creams are less painful than waxing. Chemicals in the creams break down and dissolve the protein bonds of your hair. It's a longer-lasting method than shaving, and it's a proven method. However, your skin, especially around your genital area, may not tolerate the chemicals well. In addition, some tougher hairs may not respond to depilatory creams.

Tolerating Electrolysis

Electrolysis is an older technique using a slim needle that's inserted into individual hair shafts. The needle shocks the hair follicle with the hope that the cells that create the hair are actually killed off. Though it may be affordable and typically permanent, it's usually painful, requires a long-term commitment due to the need for numerous treatments and works best on small areas such as the neck.

Laser for Lasting Results

Though laser shouldn't be considered a miracle cure for removal of body hair for men or women, it is a practical option. The laser's heat penetrates hair shafts, killing the hair root, but not the follicle. The follicle is where hair begins to grow, which is why it's not always 100 percent permanent. But, it can be a somewhat longer-lasting technique. Here's more information on this method:

Multiple treatments and touch-ups on the same spot are typically required.
Laser works best if you have light skin and dark hair.
If you are a person of color, the ND:YAG laser works for your skin.
Medical insurance does not pay for laser hair removal.
Laser works best to thin out hair on a man's back, upper arms and chest area, with touch up treatments about once a year, according to WebMD.com.

Costs vary depending on the area you're having done, but it is a more expensive procedure than most others.

Grey-Smith Cronts