Shaving, Waxing, and Depilatories: Which Is Right For You

There are three major types of hair removal strategies: shaving, waxing, and chemical depilatories. Each type has different advantages and disadvantages that you should take into account when you are trying to make a decision about how to go about your hair removal process.

Shaving

Using a blade to remove excess hair, shaving, is the quickest way to remove unwanted hair. You can shave in just a few minutes, and in a pinch you don’t need any product to do it; simply use warm water and your razor. However, shaving has many drawbacks. Shaving takes off hair at the skin surface rather than the root, so it grows back more quickly than with other methods, and since it’s cut with a blade, the ends of the hair are sharp and stiff. If you shave in sensitive areas, it’s necessary to keep doing it regularly to avoid chafing due to stubble.

Waxing

Waxing use an adhesive that clings to hair - often a wax, but honey-based or sugar-based products are available as well - and clings less strongly to skin. The hair is pulled out as the wax is rapidly removed. Waxing pulls hair out from the root if it’s done properly, so it lasts longer than shaving, and when the hair returns it has the soft tips of new growth. However, waxing is generally considered to be quite painful, and shouldn’t be used if you have sensitive or delicate skin. The waxed area has to be moisturized and exfoliated thoroughly to prevent ingrown hairs.

Depilatory Chemicals

Depilatories use caustic chemicals to soften and dissolve the hair so it can be washed off. Like shaving, depilatory products take hair off at the surface of the skin, but since they don’t use a blade, there is less strain on the skin itself. This can be a time-consuming and smelly process, and depilatories can burn skin if they are left on too long, but if used properly they are relatively gentle. Depilatory creams are a good alternative to shaving if your skin is easily cut or becomes razor burned, but it’s very important to make sure to use them only on calm, unbroken skin. Depilatory creams are very painful if they get into a cut.

With these helpful pointers, it should be easier for you to decide between hair removal methods. Go ahead and experiment! If one method doesn’t work, try one of the others.

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