Alternatives to Shaving: Exploring Effective Hair Removal Options
Are you tired of shaving your body using a razor? Maybe you find the process tedious, or you can’t seem to stop your skin itching afterwards. Perhaps you want a longer-lasting solution so you don’t have to go through the weekly ritual of shaving? If this sounds familiar, read on.
Below, I’ve created a guide on the alternatives to shaving so you can get your skin smooth and silky without the need to use a razor or electric shaver. With a little digging, I have uncovered an amazing array of solutions – some of which offer a more permanent resolution too.
So, if you want to eliminate the razor from your life, check out my guide on the best alternatives to shaving below – enjoy!
Different Alternatives to Shaving – A Razor Isn’t the Only Option
You probably know some of the alternatives to shaving already, but I have dived deep into this subject and found six different options that will allow you to do away with your razor. These range from simple process like waxing, through to more complicated procedures like IPL and threading.
Waxing for Smooth Skin
Waxing is probably the most common alternative to shaving and it offers numerous benefits but also a few drawbacks. The process is simple – prepare your skin, apply the wax (typically in strips), and pull them off! The wax latches onto your hairs and pulls them out effectively.
Key to successful waxing and preserving your skin quality is to exfoliate and moisturise beforehand. Also, choosing the right type of wax strips is important but this often has to be done with trial and error. The downside is the relative pain and irritation compared to shaving. You get used to the sensation eventually, but it isn’t exactly pleasant ripping the hairs from your skin!
Epilating for Longer-Lasting Results
Epilation is another type of hair removal as opposed to cutting the hairs when using a razor and it’s another effective alternative to shaving. Epilators are small, handheld devices that contain a series of micro-tweezers. These work in a rotating pattern and effectively pluck the hairs from your skin including the root.
The benefit of this is a much smoother and long lasting result compared to shaving. The downside like waxing is the discomfort. Many women find the sensation of using an epilator uncomfortable but you can minimise this by choosing a high-quality epilator with more effective micro tweezers. The process also works better when the hairs aren’t longer than 5mm.
Hair Removal Creams for Convenience
If you don’t want to deal with the discomfort of waxing, shaving, or epilating then hair removal cream could be one of the best alternatives to shaving. Various companies like Veet produce hair removal kits that include the hair removal cream together with aftercare creams usually containing Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to sooth your skin.
Hair removal creams contain a range of chemicals that react safely with the hair on your body and break down the keratin within the hairs. This effectively causes the hairs to weaken and eventually dissolve. The hair is reduced to something like a jelly and you simply have to wipe it from your face.
This is arguably the easiest alternative to shaving and it offers a pain-free solution too. Usually, the results are longer lasting compared to shaving too. The downside is that people with sensitive skin could experience some irritation after using the cream. Therefore, if this is the route you want to take, I advise choosing a removal cream that includes aftercare cream to sooth and moisturise your skin.
Sugaring for a Less Painful Waxing Alternative
No, this method doesn’t involve layering your face with sugar, but it is an alternative to waxing that can be just as effective as a shaving alternative and sugar is involved! Sugaring involves creating a paste consisting of lemon juice, water, and sugar and heating the ingredients so they combine together.
The mixture is then allowed to cool and applied directly to your skin. It hardens like wax, and then you pull it off. With sugaring, you apply the paste against the direction of your hair growth and pull it off in the same direction as your hair growth in a series of short, quick pulls.
Due to this pulling method, it has less chance of breaking the hairs instead of pulling them out. Also, the solution doesn’t adhere to your skin so it should cause less irritation and discomfort compared to waxing.
IPL Hair Removal for a Non-Invasive Solution
IPL is a newer type of technology that uses light pulses for hair removal – it is essentially a type of laser hair removal. Intense Pulse Light devices project the light onto your skin and it is absorbed by your hair. The heat travels down the hair and destroys the follicles ability to make new hairs.
IPL is essentially a permanent hair removal solution but it has several drawbacks. Firstly, it’s painful and each wave from the device can feel like a short, sharp flick with an elastic band. Secondly, you usually have to have multiple courses of treatment due to the varying growth stages of your hairs.
Also, IPL treatment is incredibly limited in terms of application. For example, it’s advised against this treatment if you have black skin, blonde hair, and red hair as it can result in skin discolouration.
The Ancient Art of Threading
Threading has been used for hundreds of years and it is actually one of the oldest hair removal methods. It requires great skill and it’s not really something you can do yourself. Instead, you have to find a trained practitioner for the best results.
Threading involves rolling twisted cotton threads over your hair to remove excess fluff and hair. It can produce fantastic results but a downside is that it can be a little painful and it takes skill and learning to do properly yourself. If you want to give threading a go, I recommend going to a professional beautician who is qualified in the process.
Say Goodbye to the Razor With These Popular Alternatives to Shaving
You should now have a clear idea of the alternatives to shaving and as you can see, there is a fantastic array of options. This means that you aren’t destined to use a razor forevermore and you can explore other methods such as waxing, threading, hair removal creams, and epilating. The key is to find something that works for you, fits in your life schedule, and gives you the desired end results.
Alternatives to Shaving FAQs
This depends on personal preference and there is no right answer. The most popular alternatives to shaving include waxing, threading, hair removal creams, epilating, hair removal procedures, and depilatory lotions. Pick one that suits your lifestyle and gives you the end results you want.
There are an array of permanent hair removal options if you are tired of continually shaving your legs and armpit! Examples of options include electrolysis, laser hair removal, IPL, threading, and prescription hair removal creams. Just note that most of these are much more expensive compared to using a razor!
Epilators work by pulling your hairs out by the root using a series of intricate micro-tweezers. Therefore, there can be associated pain when using these devices. Pain levels will vary and in most instances after the first time you won’t notice as much discomfort.
Threading can work as a great shaving alternative as it is healthier and results in less ingrowing hairs, plus the results are longer lasting as you are effectively pulling hairs out. The downside is that it requires a skilled practitioner to do properly and it can be a more expensive and time consuming process.
Conclusion - Phew!
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