Underarm hair might trap sweat and body odour which will lower your self-esteem in sleeveless outfits. Even though removing underarm hair is one's personal choice, the option varies from person to person. But there might be situations like wearing sleeveless sweat build-ups, and bad odour which might cause a sense of discomfort.
As the underarm area is one of the most sensitive areas on our body. The area is prone to sweats, it folds, and also reacts quickly when opting with a wrong product or technique, like leading to razor burns, dark patches, and even skin irritation that can take weeks to settle. Most of these problems are not caused by the method itself, but by doing it without the right preparation and aftercare.
In this guide get to know about 5 methods, from quick home fixes to permanent solutions, so you can choose what works best for your skin.
How to Remove Underarm Hair
1. Waxing
This is a technique which is followed where the hair gets pulled from the roots. A good choice when you want a smoother underarm area for a couple of days.
Types of Wax for Underarms
You can have huge options available like sugar wax, strips, hard wax and more. Every type has their own benefits and you can choose them based on your body skin type.
How to Wax Underarms
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Initially clean the under arm area and dust some talcum powder for absorbing the sweat.
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Warm the wax and gently apply on the areas in the direction of hair growth.
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Wait for a second and pull off in the opposite direction.
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Press the skin for instant pain relief and apply gel/cream for calming skin.
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Pros
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Cons
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Results last for longer time period
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Painful process
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Fine hair growth
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Will irritate sensitive skin
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Gives smoother skin
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Need proper technique
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2. Shaving
Shaving, a common technique used which is painless and also gets work done in a span of 5 - 10 mins. They are convenient, painless, budget-friendly, and also the most convenient options to go with!
How to Shave Underarms Properly?
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Wet and wash your underarm area well with soap and water.
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Apply aloe Vera gel or any shaving gel of your choice so that skin friction is minimised.
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Use a clean and sharp razor and start shaving.
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Rinse off after shaving well.
Tip - Change the blades after a couple of uses to avoid cuts in the skin.
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Pros
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Cons
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Quick and Painless
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Grows back faster
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Easy to do from comfort of home
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Bumps come, and ingrowth hair removal happens.
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Best for emergency situation
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Will lead to darkness when not used properly.
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Watch Out for Razor Burns
The razors might cause redness and itchiness post shaving when you have blade friction on dry or sensitive skin.
To avoid this concern, clean, apply a gentle amount of gel, and then go with gentle strokes , and follow with chilled aloe gel.
3. Epilators
Epilators work like multiple tweezers where the hair gets pulled from the roots. Easy to use, safe, and works beautifully for removing hair.
How to Use an Epilator for Underarms
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Wash and exfoliate the area first or the day before.
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Use the epilate tool on clean and dry skin.
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Stretch the skin and move the tool in small strokes.
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Apply a soothing gel or aloe vera immediately after epilating.
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Pros
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Cons
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Long lasting
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Painful than usual
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No mess pre/post usage
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Not suitable for irritated skin
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Thinner hair growth
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Ingrowth hair growth occurs
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4. Hair Removal Powder
The hair removal powder works on removing the external hair gently without causing any pain. Suitable for people with sensitive skin or people who cannot tolerate pain.
How to Use Hair Removal Powder Safely?
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Mix the powder with water until you get a smoother applying consistency.
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Apply on the hair growth area and let them sit for some time (as directed).
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Wipe them off gently, and follow up with a gentle moisturizer.
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Pros
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Cons
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Painless
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Result last for 3 - 5 days
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Works instantly and acts quick
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Causes skin sensitivity/irritation
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Suitable for people with sensitive skin
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Strong chemical odour might cause irritation or chemical burns
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5. Permanent Underarm Hair Removal - Laser Treatment
If you can afford this treatment or okay with dermat treatment suggestions then you can go ahead. Laser targets melanin and shrinks the growth instantly. When you take a continuous laser session based on your dermatologist's advice, that hair removal will be done gradually and also leads to less hair growth.
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Advantages
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Disadvantages
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80 - 90% hair removal reduction
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Multiple sessions required
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No bumps or ingrown hair
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Works based on dermat advice
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Underarm becomes brighter
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Addon products might be included
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Long Term Saving - Money & Time
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Expensive
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How to Prevent and Avoid after Shaving/Waxing?
When you opt for shaving or waxing, even though they smoothen skin, repeated usage might lead to irritation, pigmentation, or bumps.
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Starting the removal process on clean skin is essential; Shaving on clean skin helps razor to glide smoothly.
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Use a clean and sharp razor to avoid repeated friction. Also replace after using it a couple of times.
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Go with short strokes while being super gentle on the skin.
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If you are waxing, check the temperature so that you don't burn your skin.
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Moisture the area with cream or gel instantly after hair removal.
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Opt for breathable material clothing especially post shaving or waxing to avoid sweat.
These steps help in preventing your skin from being darker while giving a smoother and softer underarm skin area.
Conclusion
Underarm hair removal might be simple and safe; But only when you do them in a right and proper way, you can avoid any post-issues of hair removal. No matter which method you are using, everyone has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Here are simple ways to consider:
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Quick and painless from the comfort of your home? - Hair removal powder or Shaving
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Longer-lasting smooth results? - Try option for Waxing or Epilator
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Permanent reduction with no daily upkeep? → Laser under a dermat’s guidance