What is the best hair removal solution for men?

So, you are looking for hair removal solution for men? At one time, hair removal was the sole concern of women. The only men who cared much about removing body hair were athletes, body builders, and exotic dancers – other men tended to leave their body hair alone. However, that has not been true as of late. In the past decade, many men have begun to show concern about their body hair and the grooming of it.

“Many of the men who come in to see me don’t want to permanently remove all of their hair, but they want to lessen it on their torsos, chest, and back usually,” says one dermatologist who specializes in laser hair removal for men. A leading hair-waxing specialist agrees that men who are looking to groom themselves by removing their hair are starting to make up a significant number of her patrons. “Lately, I’ve been getting male customers who want me to groom their eyebrows, in particular get rid of their unibrows. They want me to take care of the hair on their ears or the backs of their necks so they don’t have to worry about shaving it,” she told us.

Moreover, according to some salons, as well as style and fashion magazines, some men have even decided to venture into waxing an area that has been solely sought out by women – bikini waxings, as of now.

“We’ve certainly had men come in asking for it,” said our waxing specialist.

Since men are fairly new to the idea of dealing with extra or unwanted body hair, many of them are unsure how to proceed or just have no idea what to do. They do not know what methods are available, what they involve, or what they cost. That is why we have created a list of the most popular hair removal methods and how they work. This can help you make the best decision when trying to remove hair from your body.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal has been available in the United States for not quite two decades, so it is relatively new. The laser uses pulses of concentrated light to target the hair follicle, destroying the hair’s root. It does not entirely disable the follicle, but it does make it very difficult for new hair to grow, so results can last many years. There can be complications, such as burning and blistering, but these are not lasting. The laser works best on people with light skin and dark hair. There is a laser working well for people with dark complexions, called Nd: YAG. The treatments cost anywhere from $400 to $600, and it can take up to eight treatments to work. You may need to come in once every year or two to maintain your hair-free appearance.

Most men choose to get laser treatments for hair on the back, stomach, chest, shoulders, arms, and genital area. It is ideal for men who want to thin out the hair on a region of the body instead of getting rid of all of it, since the laser can do spot treatments.

Waxing

Waxing has come a long way from what most people think of the process. It is gone from a sticky mess to waxes that are soy-based and soft. Modern waxes look and feel like a cream, and they adhere only to the hair so skin is not pulled away when the wax is. While some discomfort is still involved, these new waxes minimize pain by sticking only to hair. Depending on the area being waxed, treatment can take anywhere from ten minutes to an hour, possibly more, and can cost from $10 to $80. The result can last four to six weeks.

Men who choose waxing utilize it to shape eyebrows, get rid of unibrows, remove hair on the neck and ears, legs, back, chest, underarms, and arms. Waxing can also be done to the genital area, but it can be painful. Experts recommend first-timers and novices to have waxing done professionally, and always to check with the salon to see what areas they will wax. They warn that aftercare instructions are important, as the follicles are disturbed and can be infected. Antibacterial soap and lotions should be used for a few days after treatment. Some studies even show that people who regularly are waxed who then decide to undergo laser removal treatment have better and longer-lasting results!

Electrolysis

Electrolysis has been around for many years, and is actually the only hair removal method approved by the FDA for permanent hair removal. It uses a slim, needle-like probe to penetrate the hair follicle, using an electric shock to kill the cells that cause hair growth. Once those cells are killed, they do not grow back, meaning removal is permanent. Most treatments only take 10 minutes to an hour, but depending on the area and the amount of hair treated, it can take a year to see permanent results. Each follicle is treated individually, so if you have thick hair, that will give you an idea of how long your treatment will last. Each treatment costs about $40.

Men have used electrolysis for all sorts of hair removal, but most find it is best to start in small areas like eyebrows, ears, and neck, or to use it to “thin” out the hair on their chests or back. It can also be used to rid hair in the genital area, but many people find this painful. Electrolysis technicians say that treatment times shorten with each subsequent treatment as the hair thins and no longer requires further sessions.

Back Shavers

Yes, there are actually specialty devices that are used solely for shaving the back! These shavers have blades that are about an inch and a half wide on hinges, with handles up to a foot in length. They are straight razors, and they allow you to shave your back as well as shoulders in much the same way you might use a back scrub brush or a Loofah-on-a-stick on the shower. They can be used on the back, the shoulders, and some men even use them on their buttocks. They can be used to shave the genital area, but most experts recommend against this, as cuts in this region can be serious. Most men report that it takes between twenty minutes to an hour to shave their backs. The shavers cost around $40, not including additional costs for shaving cream and replacement blades. The results, like with any shaving, last only a few days even under the very best circumstances.

While shaving is fast, simple, and more economical, it carries the risk of ingrown hairs. This can be painful and occur when a hair that has been cut grows curling back into the skin instead of straight and out of the follicle. This is a specific problem for those with dark complexions. Ingrown hairs can be very painful and can cause infections, so they can be serious. It is recommended that if you choose shaving to remove your hair, you make sure the hair is thoroughly wet; it is best to shave while taking a shower. Shave in the direction of the hair’s growth, and make sure the hair is lathered either with soap or with shaving cream, before removing the hair. Despite popular belief, shaving does not make hair grow back thicker or coarser.

Depilatories

Depilatories are cream or foam hair removers. They contain a chemical in a cream or foam base that actually dissolves the protein in the hair shaft, causing the hair to “melt.” It can then be wiped or scraped off. The hair usually dissolves below the surface of the skin, so while removal may not last as long as waxing, it definitely lasts longer than shaving, with results anywhere from a week to three weeks. Treatments can take about thirty minutes to an hour, if you treat large areas in small sessions. The depilatory itself only sits on the skin for five to ten minutes. Home treatment kits are usually under $15, and treatment with a depilatory at the salon can range from $25 to $50.

Depilatories are suitable for treating the back, chest, legs, and arms. Skin on the face (including the brows) and the genitals are too sensitive to be treated with a depilatory. It is important to remember that you are dealing with harsh chemicals in these creams, so you should always do a patch examination of a tiny area of skin to make sure you do not have an adverse reaction. If you experience any burning, redness, itching, or blisters, wash the depilatory off the patch test skin and do not use it anywhere else. Every cream is formulated differently, though, so do not give up if one brand gives you a reaction – another brand may work for you. More Hair removal solutions for men are available by following links on our site