Is your armpit hair giving you the ‘stubble trouble’? Underarm hair is completely normal, but it can be uncomfortable for many, which leads to endless shaving, plucking, or waxing. But the question is this: which hair removal procedure is most appropriate for underarms?
In this post, we’ll discuss the best hair removal methods that will give you smooth armpits without a snag. Keep reading and see which of these underarm treatment options might be the one you’re looking for.
MEDICALLY REVIEWED BY
Molly Rodriguez
15 years of experience
6 underarm hair removal methods and how they work
When it comes to armpit hair removal, many ladies – and even gents – struggle to find the best solution. If you also have the same dilemma, we’re here to help by creating a hair removal comparison. Below, we compared different methods, but #6 might be the perfect solution for your hairy problem.
1. Shaving
Shaving is probably the most common and widely used hair removal method. It’s mostly convenient and inexpensive since you can easily do it in the shower with store-bought supplies. If done right, shaving your underarms can be painless and effective.
Also, there are many shaving tools available nowadays. You can choose from classic safety razor blades or electric shavers, whichever works for you best.
However, shaving is only a temporary solution to armpit hair. After a few days, you’ll start to see your underarm hair growing back, which means you have to keep shaving them repeatedly.
Aside from that, some people have sensitive skin, which can be easily irritated by shaving. If you also suffer from razor burns or ingrown hairs when shaving, you should probably consider laser hair removal for your skin type.
Pros
Cons
2. Waxing
If you’re not a fan of shaving, waxing might be your second option among other hair removal procedures. For this method, a sticky wax will be applied to your skin and pulled quickly to uproot all unwanted armpit hair.
In general, the results of waxing last longer than shaving, with some only needing monthly or bimonthly appointments.
However, waxing is painful, especially if you tend to have thick and dense underarm hair. Also, you have to grow your armpit hair by a quarter of an inch for waxing to be effective. Otherwise, very short hairs may not be pulled properly and will have to be plucked manually.
Overall, with professional hair removal like this, you can see better results compared to shaving. Still, you should know that waxing salons use two types of waxes: soft and hard.
Soft waxes are often used for larger areas and require strips for removal. Meanwhile, hard waxes are used without strips and are suitable for sensitive areas like your underarms.
Pros
Cons
3. Plucking
If you don’t have the budget for professional armpit hair removal yet, you can go old-school plucking your underarm hair. This is an effective solution if you want to remove tiny stubble that makes your underarm itch yet is still too short for waxing.
Aside from that, plucking can be the best hair removal for underarms with sparse hair. Since some people don’t really grow thick hair, they may not need intense waxing or shaving.
For this, you can use a pair of tweezers to pull unwanted armpit hair manually. After that, you can apply a soothing lotion or cream to avoid potential irritation.
However, like other temporary hair removal solutions, plucking will not stop hair regrowth. You still have to do it regularly and frequently, depending on how fast your underarm hair grows.
Pros
Cons
4. Threading
Threading is somewhat similar to plucking since it also pulls out unwanted hair from the skin. But instead of tweezers, the person will use a long piece of cotton that’s twisted and looped to trap hair.
As the thread is rolled over the skin, it traps and pulls the hair from the follicle. It’s effective for fine or coarse underarm hair, and it can pull a lot of hair at once, unlike manual plucking.
However, like waxing, you also need to make threading appointments and squeeze it into your schedule. You also have to find a reliable professional who has good threading skills.
Pros
Cons
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5. Depilatory creams
Unlike other options in this removal method comparison, depilatory creams don’t use any sharp tools. Instead, it uses an alkaline-infused formula that breaks down the proteins in the hair.
When applied to your skin, it will slowly dissolve the hair on the surface of the skin within 5 to 15 minutes. After that, you just have to wipe or rinse the area, and all the dissolved hair will be washed away.
Overall, depilatory creams are quick and easy solutions for unwanted underarm hair. However, you should know that these creams aren’t made equal, and some of them may not be suitable for certain skin types.
Aside from that, some individuals may not get the best results with depilatory creams alone. Those with thicker armpit hairs may need multiple applications, which can increase the risk of irritation.
Pros
Cons
6. The ultimate solution: laser hair removal
Have you tried all the other hair removal solutions above, but nothing worked? If so, your best bet for unwanted armpit hair is laser hair removal!
With laser removal, you’re not just pulling the hair from the roots – the laser will neutralize the follicles so the strands will no longer grow back. This makes it the most effective underarm hair removal if you prefer a long-term solution for your armpits.
Overall, you’ll need at least six laser treatment sessions to remove all your unwanted armpit hairs. Although you’ll need multiple sessions, you’ll also enjoy long-lasting results for years. Some would only need yearly touch-ups to remove wispy regrowth.
In the long run, laser hair removal is more cost-efficient than waxing, shaving, or threading. Aside from that, you no longer have to spend hours staring at the bathroom mirror, trying to get all the spots you missed.
Aside from underarms, you can also get laser hair removal for bikini areas, facial hair, and basically any part of your body.
Pros
Cons
- You have to dedicate time to multiple sessions.
Ready to try permanent hair removal? Contact us today!
If you want to enjoy smooth and hair-free underarms for good, all you have to do is contact our medical spa at Eau Claire Body Care! We are your local beauty collective in Eau Claire, WI, where you can get the best laser hair removal treatments.
With over 10 years of experience, your underarms will be in the best hands when you book an appointment with us. Only licensed and experienced laser technicians will provide your treatment to ensure the best results.
If you want to know more about laser hair removal, feel free to contact us, and our specialist will give you a quick underarm treatment guide. You can also book an appointment with us right away for silky smooth underarms!
