What Is the Best Way to Remove Underarm Hair?

Underarm hair removal is an optional grooming habit. Many women and some men shave their underarm hair. You can remove your underarm hair by shaving with a razor, waxing, electrolysis or laser hair removal. The cost of underarm hair removal ranges from a few dollars for a razor into the thousands for electrolysis hair removal. The best way to remove your underarm hair depends on the amount of money you're willing to spend.

Underarm Hair Removal with a Razor

Using a razor is the most common, and by far the cheapest, method used to remove underarm hair. The drawback to removing underarm hair with a razor is that you may experience skin irritations and redness under your arm after shaving. In addition, hair grows quickly, so you must shave daily or every few days. Some of the more expensive razors claim to cause less irritation.

Waxing

Waxing is a very popular method of underarm hair removal. The wax removes hair follicles from your underarm. Warm wax is spread on your underarm, and then covered by a paper strip. Once the wax cools for 5 to 7 minutes, the strip is ripped quickly from your underarm, causing a sharp pain. Hair won't grow back on your underarm for about 6 weeks. Waxing is usually performed by a licensed cosmetologist. The drawbacks of waxing are cost and the pain that goes with it.

Depilatory Cream

Depilatory creams present another good way to remove underarm hair. Depilatory cream is applied to the underarm region, and dissolves your underarm hair. After 15 minutes, wipe your underarm clean with a warm water cloth. Your underarm hair will start to grow back in 2 or 3 weeks. Depilatory creams aren't very expensive, and can be purchased at most pharmacies, and convenience stores. The major drawback is that depilatory creams may cause skin irritation under your arm, particularly if you have sensitive skin.

Laser

Laser underarm hair removal presents another way to remove your underarm hair. A laser is used to literally cut and remove regions of your underarm hair. Laser underarm hair removal can cost hundreds of dollars per treatment. Hair usually won't grow back under your arm for 2 months. There is very little if any pain involved. The laser may cause skin irritation and redness to your underarm.

Electrolysis

Electrolysis underarm hair removal is a permanent way to remove underarm hair. Electrolysis treatment involves individually removing each underarm hair follicle. This is a tedious process that is usually performed over the course of several separate treatments. Hair will never grow under your arm again. Electrolysis is by far the most expensive way to remove underarm hair. It can cost thousands of dollars depending on your practitioner. Electrolysis treatment may cause scarring and irritation under your arms.