The Pain
The discomfort of hair removal is highly subjective—it varies according to pain tolerance, body part, and how thick and plentiful your hair is.
WaxingDepending on how coarse your hair is and where it is, waxing can hurt a lot—you may feel as if your hair is being yanked out (which it is). |
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ElectrolysisWhile the technology has improved in recent years, using electricity to remove single hairs is generally more time-consuming and involves more discomfort than using lasers. Imagine an intense pinch and some heat. |
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SugaringWaxing’s gentler cousin, in which a warm sugar paste is used to pull hair from the roots. It’s less painful because sugar crystals adhere just to hairs, not to skin, which means less pulling and redness. |
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LaserWith sensations that range from pinpricks to slight burning, laser hair removal isn’t exactly comfortable, but many users report that it’s less intense than waxing. |
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ShavingUnless you cut yourself or have extra-sensitive skin, shaving is minimally painful. The exception: Coarse-haired areas (bikini line, men’s faces) are prone to ingrown hairs and bumps. |
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DepilatoriesNair and other chemical hair-removal creams are smelly and messy but pain-free. |
The Cost
Below are price quotes for one year of hair removal on the bikini line, but costs vary depending on products and practitioners. (Electrolysis is not included because it’s rarely used to remove all bikini-line hair.)
Laser$735 for six 20-minute sessions at Shobha. (1730 M St., NW; 202-912-8455) |
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Sugaring$636 for 12 15-minute sessions at Shobha. (1730 M St., NW; 202-912-8455) |
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Waxing$528 for 12 20-minute sessions at Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa. (10213 Old Georgetown Rd., Bethesda; 240-644-1319) |
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Shaving$56 for 12 disposable Gillette Venus Embrace Sensitive women’s razors at Target. |
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Depilatory$13 for three 1.7-ounce bottles of Nair Sensitive Bikini Cream at Walgreen’s. |
The Results
Hair-removal methods can last anywhere from forever to a few days. Here’s how long results last for various methods.
ElectrolysisDubbed permanent hair removal by the FDA; but it targets only visible hairs, so it can require frequent treatments over time. |
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LaserReduces hair by 80 to 90 percent but can require yearly touchups. |
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WaxingRemoves hair for weeks; long-term waxing can cause hair to grow back more thinly. |
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SugaringRemoves hairs for weeks; long-term use can weaken hair follicles, resulting in finer regrowth. |
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DepilatoryRemoves hair for several days; long-term use doesn’t affect regrowth. |
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ShavingRemoves hair for days; long-term use has no effect on regrowth. |
Jennifer Barger (jnbarger@gmail.com) is a freelance style writer and personal shopper.
This article appears in our February 2016 issue of Washingtonian.