Love it, leave it, hate it and remove it, the politics surrounding the way women, in particular, tend to their own fuzz is forever a contentious issue. Whilst some leave it to grow as nature intended (#noshave) others choose a hair removal method to remove every strand of hair growing lower than their eyelashes. It's personal and completely your choice.

Removing unwanted hair can be time consuming, stats show over 10 years we can spend an average of 360 hours shaving, 180 hours waxing or up to 6 hours having laser treatment. From giving ourselves smooth legs and tidy bikini lines, to eliminating upper lip fuzz. With the awkwardness of trying to shave in the shower, the annoyance of having to tweeze every few days, the pain of waxing, the highs, the lows and the varying results, how can you really choose which is the best option for you?

Shaving

Shaving is the most common approach to hair removal. It’s simple, requires the least amount of equipment, its cheap and can be done anywhere. Its effectiveness is limited (non-permanent) – in order to stay stubble-free you have to shave every day or every couple of days depending on your own hair growth. Contrary to believe, shaving doesn't change its thickness, colour or rate of growth but it does give it a blunt tip giving it that coarse "stubbly" feel as it grows out. Razor-burn and ingrowing hairs can be a problem.

Waxing

More painful than shaving, waxing is considered a semi-permanent hair removal method giving you smoother results and softer regrowth. It has slightly longer lasting results due to warm wax being applied attaching to and pulling the hair out by the roots. Waxing can be performed at home or a salon, although some contortions may be required to get all those stray hairs. Waxing can damage your skin, it can be painful and you need to wait for your hair to be long enough until your next treatment

Epilation

Epilating (usually completed at home) involves using a device to pull hairs out by the root. Like waxing, it gives smooth results and soft regrowth, but it also works on shorter hairs than required for a wax. By all accounts it is the most painful method of hair removal – much more so than waxing, due to the continuous cycle of gripping and pulling the hairs. In-growing hairs are also very common.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal is a simple, deemed as painless and an incredibly effective procedure. It works by using targeted beams of light from a medical grade laser, to target and heat the hair follicle, destroying interconnectors which connect the hair to the blood supply. This destroys hair at the root, in order to prevent regrowth. You will notice smoother for longer results after your first laser treatment, but it takes four to six sessions spaced four weeks apart to see a 80% reduction in overall hair growth in the area that has undergone treatment, top ups may be needed.

Laser only works on hair that is at the ‘growth phase’ of the cycle. Due to the fact that your hair is in different phases at different times, a course of treatments ensures that the laser catches each of the hairs during the growth phase at some point. The number of treatments required depends on the area being treated; the hair density; and your skin type.

It’s not pain-free and the amount of discomfort depends on your pain threshold. Laser treatment is like an elastic band snapping against your skin. However, the laser is constantly moving, so there is no lingering sensation and pain is kept to a minimum. The intensity of this feeling will be determined by your skin type and the area being treated.

Pick your salon wisely with free consultation, patch tests and experienced staff. Making sure they use medical-grade lasers and the most advanced technology in the market to achieve successful results, with safer procedures and quicker treatment times.

There are several over-the-counter, home Laser devices which can be bought and used anywhere on the body that you can get treated in a salon but aren’t as strong or effective.

It’s estimated that women can spend up to £10,000 during their lifetime getting rid of unwanted hair. Whether you do an annual bikini-line clean up or stay on top of every stray hair, you shouldn’t feel pressured into doing something because it's fashionable. Body hair is natural.

If you’re looking for a longer-term option, we have a one-off offer not to be missed. In conjunction with the launch of our new beauty rooms we are offering 50% off Laser Hair removal, (6 Treatments) when booked between 1 – 15th February 2019. Consultations are £35 and is fully redeemable against your course.

To shave or not to shave, that is the question?