How to Deal With Coarse Hair on the Legs

Try a few methods for removing unwanted leg hair to find what works best for you.

Many women struggle with finding methods of removing unwanted body hair. Thick, coarse hair is the most difficult hair to remove and often grows back quickly. Dealing with thick hair in the summer months can be the most frustrating, as it makes wearing shorts, skirts and swimwear uncomfortable. Many methods are available for removing coarse hair from your legs. Finding the one that works best for you may require you to try multiple methods.

Things You'll Need

• Disposable or electric razor
• Hair removal cream
• Home waxing kit

Instructions

1. Inexpensively remove coarse hair by shaving your legs with a disposable or electric razor. Shaving removes hair at the surface of the skin. Because hair typically grows back quickly, shaving often requires frequent touch-ups.

2. To avoid the nicks and cuts sometimes associated with shaving, use a hair removal cream. These creams break down the hair follicle, allowing the hair to be wiped away when you wipe away the cream. Like shaving, they only remove hair from the surface of the skin and must be reapplied frequently. Before using a hair removal cream, you should always test the cream on a small patch of hair to ensure it won't burn or otherwise irritate your skin.

3. For longer-lasting hair removal, consider waxing your legs. Waxing involves applying hot wax to the skin on strips of cloth or paper and quickly pulling the strips away. The hair is pulled out from beneath the surface. Waxing can be done inexpensively at home or by a professional at a salon. Although the effects of waxing last longer than shaving or hair removal creams, waxing must be redone every few weeks.

4. Ask your dermatologist about laser hair removal for permanent removal of coarse leg hair. Laser hair removal is a medical process that involves passing an intense laser over the skin. This laser beam damages the hair follicle and inhibits future hair growth. This procedure can be expensive and may require multiple treatments.

5. Consult with your doctor about electrolysis, another method of permanent hair removal. Electrolysis involves using a needle to apply an electric current to each hair's root. The electricity destroys the root through either heat, a chemical change, or both. After several applications, the hair's growth will be stopped permanently. There are some home electrolysis kits on the market, but it's a better idea to have the procedure done by a qualified electrologist.

References

• Mayo Clinic; Laser Hair Removal; March 2010
• Medicine Net; Electrolysis; Michael J. Wheatley; September 2009
• Hair Facts; Hair Removal Methods; Andrea James