Society is changing with modern trends as well as people. For example, a few years back, It was almost impossible for society to accept a man shaving his chest hair or men shaving his armpits. But modern society has changed its perspective according to trends.
If you’re thinking about shaving your arms, it’s a good idea to know the potential benefits, risks, and best methods for shaving to avoid razor burn, nicks, and skin irritation.
Why shave leg and arm hair?
Leg and arm hair can help prevent chafing. In addition, it can help to move around without causing friction.
People claim to smell better after shaving their armpits, body hair, or pubes. They feel that it makes them sweat less and smell better.
Less Odor—Armpits stink. Although arm and leg hair doesn’t stink, it can create the ideal environment for odor-causing bacteria to breed and multiply. By removing the hair under the arms, one can decrease the number of odor-causing bacteria and smell fresher.
Better Performance- body hair can be a huge discomfort because of heat rash and chafing, ruining daily performance. Some people prefer the shaved look because it emphasizes their muscle definition. This brings us to our next point…
Aesthetic Purposes—If you’ve reached the point where you can braid your armpit hair, you could benefit from trimming or shaving your armpit hair.
Best ways to get rid of leg and arm hair
Electrolysis
Electrolysis uses shortwave radio frequencies distributed through fine needles placed directly into hair follicles. The focus is to destroy the hair follicle so that it doesn’t stimulate new hair growth. This procedure needs to be done by a certified electrologist. Electrolysis is considered a permanent solution by the Food and Drug Administration. For best results, one will need multiple follow-up appointments.
Most people need follow-up sessions every week or two. Depending on the length of the session, the cost is typically around $35 to $100 per session.
Electrolysis can be done anywhere on the body and works for most skin types. Women with hairy bodies can try this as it suits every skin type.
Cons
The most common side effect is pain and redness from skin irritation. Serious side effects include scarring and infection from the needles can occur.
Laser hair removal
Laser hair removal is another longer-term hair removal option. Like electrolysis, it targets the hair follicle. It works by damaging the follicle with high-heat lasers to stop new hair from growing.
Laser hair removal can be done anywhere on the body, including leg and arm hair, except for the eye area. The treatment works best in people with light skin tones who have dark hair. Women with hairy arms can take this treatment for the best results.
Laser hair removal requires multiple sessions for best results. Depending on the area of hair removal, you may need about four to six treatments spaced four to eight weeks apart. It can cost up to $250 a session.
Cons
The most common side effect is skin irritation and redness, but this usually goes away after a few hours. It can also cause temporary pigment changes, especially with darker skin tones. More severe side effects include blistering and scarring, but this is rare.
Professional tweezing and waxing
An option for smaller areas of your body is professional tweezing and waxing done by a certified aesthetician. When hair is removed this way, it’s pulled directly out of the root. Depending on how fast your hair grows, results may last two to eight weeks.
If shaving arms and shaving armpit hair is a bit uncomfortable to you, you can try tweezing or waxing.
This is a less expensive option than laser hair removal or electrolysis, but you may need to repeat the treatment more often.
While tweezing can be done on any body area, waxing shouldn’t be done around the genitals, nipples, ears, or eyelashes. You should also avoid applying wax over varicose veins, moles, warts, or chapped or sunburned skin.
Cons
The most common side effects include mild rashes and irritation, which is usually temporary.
Chemical depilation
It is a gel or cream that you put on your skin. It works by weakening a protein in your hair called keratin. This causes the hair to fall out and be easily wiped away. It is a helpful procedure for shaving body hair.
Depilation doesn’t target the hair follicle, so the results may only last for about two weeks. However, it’s an inexpensive option that you can do at home.
Use the correct type of cream for the area where one wants to remove hair. For example, some creams are formulated for the face, and others for the body or pubic area.
It’s good to do a patch test on a small part of the skin before using chemical depilation on a larger body area.
Cons
Side effects of this treatment can include chemical burns, rashes, and blisters.
Natural solutions
Although natural solutions aren’t permanent, they may help remove hair or limit hair growth.
Some natural options include
sugar waxes and scrubs
honey instead of wax
drinking spearmint trusted Source twice a day to limit the growth of facial hair
Side effects and risks
- blisters
- inflammation
- swelling
- irritation
- pigmentation changes (usually light patches on darker skin)
- redness
- swelling
Tips
You can minimize the risk of side effects and permanent skin damage by making sure you seek treatment from a board-certified dermatologist only.
Final words
Removing leg and arm hair can help you in many ways, and it is an optional thing to do. People who like smooth skin can go for this with little inconvenience.