Hair Removal And The Best Ways To Do It

Getting rid of that pesky body hair that can pop up all over your body, from your upper lip to underarms to your bikini line, can sometimes feel like a never-ending battle. It’s almost like you grab the tweezers, pluck one, and two more grow back in its place.

Being able to remove the hair that you don’t want shouldn’t have to be a chore, though. When you know more about the different methods of hair removal that are out there, it can help you be aware of all of your options to find one that will work best for you.

While MiamiMD may not be in the hair removal business, we love to find effective products that you can use to keep the skin all over your body soft and smooth. After all, a blank canvas is the best place to start.

Why Hair Removal and Skin Care Work Hand-in-Hand

There is a direct connection between the best hair removal methods and their minimal impact on your skin. The opposite is also true; if you use a form of hair removal that damages your skin or leaves it feeling sensitive for days, why bother? 

Sure, you may have rid yourself of unwanted hair, but now you’re left with unsightly redness and skin irritation. You’ve just traded one problem for another.

Luckily, the old, traditional methods of hair removal are slowly but surely falling by the wayside. Shaving just takes forever, and waxing is embarrassing, expensive, and uncomfortable—whoever thought ripping out the hairs’ roots with hot wax was a good solution was seriously disturbed.  Don’t even get us started on those over-the-counter chemical depilatory creams, with common side effects that just sting and burn the skin more than actually removing any hair.

In their place are new products and procedures that can help you get rid of excess body and facial hair, either permanently or temporarily. Then, once the hair is removed, you can focus on getting your skin to the place you want it to be without having to fight through an extra layer of fuzz to do it.

Keep in mind; everyone has light hair on their face. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a little bit of peach fuzz (it’s called vellus hair anatomically); it’s just because you’re a warm-blooded mammal! Your body is doing exactly what it is supposed to do by keeping you warm and protected. 

However, in some cases, like for people who deal with a condition known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (or PCOS for short), hair growth has the potential to get excessive and may even require medication to manage. If you think you have PCOS, you should schedule a consultation with your doctor.

That being said, maintenance treatments like dermaplaning, IPL devices, electrolysis, and the rest of the great options below can help you get rid of unwanted body hair — no patch test or prescription required. 

Dermaplaning

Let’s start with one of the most popular hair removal methods — dermaplaning.

Although dermaplaning removes the “peach fuzz” hair from the face, it also has many other benefits. For instance, when used appropriately, dermaplaning can also be an effective exfoliant. 

Exfoliating is one of the best things you can do for your skin, no matter which skin type you are. It helps remove the layer of dead skin cells that so often get stuck on the top layer of your skin (your epidermis), leading to a brighter, more radiant-looking appearance. 

But what is dermaplaning? 

Essentially, dermaplaning involves using a specific razor blade that only gently touches the skin’s surface. This razor, and the tool that holds it, is known as a dermatome. The dermatome helps to remove that layer of hair and the layer of dead skin cells that so often lingers on the top of the skin, a benefit that simple plucking just can’t give you.

The result of dermaplaning is not only just smoother skin but also skin that looks youthful and glowing. When used consistently, you may even notice a slight reduction in fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots (known as hyperpigmentation).

Dermaplaning tends to work best for those who don’t have issues with skin conditions or those not taking isotretinoin (a blemish-fighting medication). 

Also, while dermatomes and facial razors may be available at home, this comes with increased risks. It’s best to leave dermaplaning to the professionals instead of experiencing ingrown hairs, bumps, or other issues caused by a non-sterile environment. 

Epilators

If you’re ok with spending a little bit more money to take care of your hair removal at home, consider investing in an epilator.

Epilators are electrical devices that were specifically designed to remove hair down to the root. They come in varieties that allow you to use them either dry or wet, and they’re much more comfortable than they sound.

However, the first time you use an epilator, you may notice some discomfort. Over time, and as you get more confident using it correctly, that discomfort will get less and less.

Exfoliating the skin ahead of time can also help, as it removes the layer of dead skin cells that may obstruct it from doing a thorough job. Then, all you need to do is gently hold the epilator loosely against your skin, turn it on, and move in the direction of hair growth. 

What you’ll get is smooth skin that lasts far longer than it would with traditional tweezing and waxing methods, for up to four weeks at a time! Another benefit to using epilators is that, unlike waxing, you can continue to use retinoids while using this hair removal method. Over time, your body will naturally have less and less future hair growth, as well. That’s a side effect we’d be happy to sign up for!

IPL Hair Removal Devices

Another effective option for hair removal is a device known as an IPL, or intense pulsed light, device. This procedure is commonly confused with laser hair removal. Although the result is the same, there are slight differences between the two.

With IPL, the device makes use of a broad-spectrum, visible light source. IPL devices were primarily designed for cosmetic procedures, using shorter wavelengths to target specific anatomical structures in the skin.

When explicitly used for hair removal, the target structure is usually the melanin pigment present in the hair. The IPL device’s light pulse is directed into the skin, where it can seek out those pigments and warm them up, causing damage to the hair follicle itself. The best part is, this all happens quickly with little to no signs of discomfort.

IPL hair removal devices can be purchased for at-home use, but they are more effective when used by a trained professional. There is also the danger of eye injury when it comes to any device using light in this manner, which is another reason to let the pros handle it.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal may be well worth the trouble and cost for people with excessive hair growth, known medically as hirsutism.

Much like IPL devices, laser treatment relies on heat to get the job done. However, these devices are also much more able to cater to smaller areas than IPL devices, targeting problem areas. Also, laser hair removal treatments involve just one light color instead of the broad-spectrum light produced by IPL devices.

That light can travel even deeper into the follicle, making it possibly the most effective and quickest long-term hair removal tool available.

This procedure needs to be done by a trained and licensed professional. Also, although laser hair removal is relatively long-lasting, it isn’t a permanent hair reduction method, and the hair will eventually grow back.

Electrolysis

If you want your hair gone permanently, consider electrolysis. Electrolysis is a cosmetic procedure that involves an electric current that is directed into the hair follicle. The result is a damaged hair follicle, which means that new hair growth is unable to happen.

Currently, electrolysis is the only FDA-approved permanent method of hair removal in the United States. It is also only available through licensed, trained professionals for obvious safety reasons. 

The cost and time involved are well worth the effort for most people, though, because the results are so impressive. 

Electrolysis is incredibly versatile and needs almost no recovery time afterward. However, the process can be relatively uncomfortable and may require multiple sessions to achieve your desired results.

What Next?

Once you’re feeling smooth and confident, why not keep that going by using skincare products that will support your skin and keep it happy and healthy?

A great example of a product like that is MiamiMD’s Age-Defying Lift & Firm Cream. Our specifically formulated cream was designed to help restore thin, saggy skin. It visibly reduces wrinkles and fine lines, instantly tightens loose skin, and increases volume and elasticity. 

When you spend money on skincare products, don’t you want them to work as well as possible? 

Applying the Age-Defying Lift & Firm cream directly onto a blank canvas may help it penetrate further into the skin and be even more effective. Doing otherwise is a big waste of both your time and your money.

Also, after you use any hair removal method, you’ll want to make sure that you’re using a quality, supportive moisturizer. No matter which way you go, there will be some inevitable damage that will be done to the skin (on at least some level).

Applying a moisturizer after the fact, especially a gentle moisturizer, can give your skin the moisture it needs to heal itself more quickly and effectively. This is a good rule of thumb for everyone, not just those who have regular hair removal done. 

In fact, moisturizing is arguably the most crucial step in any skincare routine because it helps maintain your appearance and the integrity and health of your skin. Never skin your moisturizer.

To Sum It Up

While there are plenty of devices and tools that you can use for at-home hair removal, leaving it to the professionals can make sure you get smooth, soft skin for far longer than you could on your own. It also reduces the likelihood that you’ll have to deal with any uncomfortable or unsightly side effects. 

No matter which hair removal method you decide to go with, make sure to always follow it up with the right products from MiamiMD. 

We’ll help keep your skin looking and feeling great so that you can love your face like never before. Take charge of your face, then go show it off! Stop worrying about those stray hairs that keep popping up and dragging you down, and get back to living your life as soon as possible.