There is no question about whether armpit hair removal is necessary; it’s sacrosanct. You can’t keep a healthy look for long with your armpit harboring a thick forest of what, most often, is unkempt. For some of us who sweat profusely from our underarms, the look and smell of the hair down there can be disgusting if left for too long.
So, it’s not a question of “if”; armpit hair removal is a matter of “when” if personal hygiene matters to you at all. But when you consider it right to get rid of your armpit hair, it can be challenging to know the best method or tool to employ. That’s not because there’s a shortage of hair removal methods; instead, their overwhelming numbers and the delicate nature of the armpit make it a decision you cannot take in a hurry.
Besides, you may also find yourself contemplating whether to use a permanent or temporary removal method. Another thing that may make your decision challenging is how much you are willing to commit to this body care regimen. Whatever constraint makes your armpit hair removal decision not straightforward, we will try to capture it in this article and provide a way out.
Journey along as we explore the many possibilities that abound in the hair removal space.
1. Best Way to Remove Armpit Hair at Home: Shaving
Shaving is arguably the mother of all hair removal methods, judging by its wide applicability, immediate results, and initial low cost. Most people have probably shaved their armpits at one point or another, and it’s safe to say that this method isn’t going away anytime soon. It involves using a razor and blade to cut the armpit hair very close to the skin, with or without a shaving cream.
To prevent cuts and rashes, you may opt for a water-based shaving cream that will ease the tension there and make the blade glide smoothly. Razors are available almost everywhere, and you will find one that fits your budget. The most important thing is to ensure that you aren’t in a hurry when shaving your underarms because your chances of getting a cut are high when you are rushing. Also, ensure that the blade is new to prevent bumps and infections.
Pros
- Results are immediate
- Shaving is cheap in the short run
- It is compatible with all skin types
- You can shave by yourself at home
Cons
- Shaved armpits can start regrowing in a matter of days
- You stand the risks of ingrown hairs, knicks, rashes, and cuts by shaving
- With repeated shaving, your underarms will turn dark
2. Best Way to Remove Underarm Hair Without Darkening: IPL
If you want to remove your underarm hair without shaving, consider Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) devices. These gadgets send lights of divergent wavelengths into your hair follicles to interrupt the normal hair growth cycle. You won’t notice any change the first day you start the treatment, but depending on the IPL brand you purchased, you should begin to observe a significant reduction in hair volume and texture in about two weeks.
IPL is also an at-home underarm hair removal method that doesn’t come with any problems. If you purchase a premium one like the Ulike Air 10 IPL Hair Removal Device, you will hardly feel any discomfort while using it. That’s because of the patented ice-cooling technology that controls the skin’s temperature while you flash in the lights. Besides this, the device is FDA-cleared and carries notable dermatologists cleared for safety and effectiveness.
Pros
- You can use IPL by yourself at home without any hiccups
- There are no risks of ingrown hairs, knicks, cuts, or rashes with IPLs
- Most IPLs do not cause pain when using them
- Because of how IPLs work, they don’t cause skin darkening common with shaving
- Most IPL devices can last a single user for a lifetime
Cons
- Meaningful results can take a month with this light-based method.
- Not all skin types can use IPL
- The initial cost of purchase can be very high
3. Best Method to Stop Underarm Hair Growth Permanently: Electrolysis
Whether on the cheek, head, or groin, the same principle governs hair growth. All hairs come from follicles buried in the skin, and the sizes of those follicles, coupled with other morphological factors, differentiate them. As such, the same method that permanently limits hair growth on the head will do the same to armpit hair.
IPLs and Lasers can limit hair growth for months, but you must keep using them to achieve this result. The only proven and cleared permanent way to end hair growth is through electrolysis. This method involves sending weak electric currents into your hair follicles through extremely tiny needles to deliver permanent damage to them.
The operations of electrolysis make it impossible to self-apply at home. You would need a trained personnel called an electrologist to help out. Usually, the electrologist will target one strand at a time, passing the needle through to address one follicle at a time. Because of this one-by-one approach, electrolysis can take time and many sessions before it can give the desired result.
Pros
- It permanently limits hair growth
- It doesn’t cause ingrown hairs or cuts
- Electrolysis is FDA-cleared
Cons
- Electrolysis can be very expensive, even for armpit hair growth limitation
- You need to book appointments with an electrologist, which may not be convenient for you
- There’s a bit of discomfort that accompanies this hair removal method.
Note
Other methods exist for removing armpit hair, but they can be pretty painful and unsuitable for such a sensitive body part. These methods include waxing, threading, epilating, tweezing, and plucking. While their results can be fantastic, the road to them is filled with pain.
At-Home Armpit Hair Removal: What You Need To Know
If you are doing your underarm hair removal by yourself at home, you need a large mirror that is stabilized to a wall. Depending on the method you choose, the process can take up to 15 minutes or less. If it’s IPL, you will most likely spend less than two minutes. Whichever way, ensure that you aren’t in a hurry when removing your underarm hair.
For shaving, it’s best to go in the direction of hair growth and use a water-based cream. Once you’ve used a blade twice, it’s time to get a new one. Teenagers who are less than sixteen may need the assistance of an older adult if considering shaving because of the risks involved.
Conclusion
Not all methods that remove hair from the body are suitable for your armpit. That’s because of the soft and sensitive nature of the skin there. But thanks to innovations and technology, there are not too many restrictions in this regard, as you can choose from any of the three methods suggested in this article. Their pros and cons have been supplied to help you make the best decision based on your needs. As such, take your time to review them again and get those overdue hairs off your precious armpit.
