Beauty Battle: Should You Be Waxing, Shaving or Getting Laser?

Ever wondered what hair removal method’s best for you? Read on, bellas, as we debate the pros and cons of the most popular fuzz-fighting techniques.
 

Shaving

Pros

• Shaving is hands down the cheapest hair removal option in the short term.  
• It’s convenient – a razor is never far away, at the grocery store, pharmacy, or 7-11 at a pinch. Or borrow your bf’s – it’s designed for men’s coarser hair so gives an incredibly clean result.
• It’s great if you’re time poor – no waiting for hair to grow back between beautician appointments, no warming your wax at home, or patch testing for irritation.
• It’s portable and you can do it anywhere. But not the bus. Please not the bus.
• It’s easy. Especially once you’ve read our handy shaving hacks. (LINK here)
• Shaving’s painless. Unless you are using a dull blade (silly) and end up with nicks or razor burn.
• There’s no mess left in the microwave or on the bathroom floor.
   

Cons

• Shaving only removes hair at the surface, so the result is not as silky smooth as waxing or laser.
• Hair grows back fast. Especially in summer.
• It also grows back with a blunt tip, which makes leg hair more rough to the touch, and more visible.
• It’s not the greatest option for your thighs. And it’s best not to attempt on your bikini line, as the area’s particularly delicate and it can be super uncomfy when the stubble grows back.
• Shaving thickens the hair, making it more difficult to remove if you swap back and forth between shaving and waxing (which you shouldn’t, by the way).
• Frequent shaving can cause irritation.
• It can also lead to ingrown hairs. Ugly and ouchy.

Best for

Lower legs, underarms

The Shaving Essentials

BIC Soleil Glow 

TRISHAVE 3in1 Shave Creme

QV Skin Lotion

Waxing

Pros

• Waxing gives a smoother result than shaving as it removes the hair right from the root.
• The results last loads longer than the couple of days you get from shaving. On average, you’ll get four weeks out of your wax.
• The regrowth is much softer than with shaving.
• “Regular waxing will lead to hairs growing back slower and finer, making waxing even easier than it was to start with,” says Lilliane Caron, Waxaway and Caronlab Australia Founder. “Whatever you do, DO NOT shave in between. To get the best results from waxing you need all your hairs to be growing at the same rate; shaving in between completely throws your hair growth cycle off.”
• And, of course, there are no nasty ankle nicks that seem to bleed for days.

Cons

• Let’s face it, waxing’s no walk in the park, pain-wise. Particularly if we’re talking about intimate waxing.
• Waxing at home can get messy. (Pre-prepped wax strips are an excellent option if you’re clumsy and likely to spill your pot wax on your carpet.)
• It’s more expensive than shaving.
• You need a little patience. Leg hair needs to grow to around a quarter of an inch for wax to effectively take hold.
• Over-heated wax can lead to burning.
• Some salons reuse the wax, which is a definite no-no for hygiene reasons. Read salon reviews and ask for recommendations from friends, make sure your therapist wears gloves, and that there is a clean towel or paper protector on your bed.
• Some waxes can irritate sensitive skins.

Best for

Full leg, underarm, bikini, stomach, arms, face (brows, lip)

Lilliane’s top tips for at-home waxing

• Test a small part of the area to be waxed 24 hours in advance to ensure no skin irritations occur.
• Always make sure your skin is clean, dry and free of oils or moisturisers before waxing.
• Exfoliate 24 hours before to remove any dead skin cells. This will ensure the wax adheres properly and removes the hair effectively.
• Avoid waxing immediately after a shower or hot bath. The warm water will open your pores but it will also soften your skin, making it more likely to bruise or become irritated when waxed.  
• Immediately after you have waxed, show your skin some tender loving care by using an after-waxing lotion.
• To minimise irritation, avoid using antiperspirants for 24 hours after waxing underarms.
• If you suffer from ingrown hairs, irritated skin or pimples, treat the problem with a targeted product, like one from the Bump eRaiser Ingrown Hair Treatment range.
• In the following weeks, exfoliate daily to assist in preventing ingrown hairs and making sure your skin stays smooth and fresh!

The Waxing Essentials

Waxaway Ready To Use Wax Strips

Waxaway After Waxing Oil With Tea Tree Oil

Bump Eraiser Triple Action Lotion

Laser

Pros

• Laser hair removal and IPL offer the most ‘permanent’ results, following a number of treatments.
• The technologies are suitable for most areas of the face and body.

Cons

• Expect some discomfort – during the treatment this is similar to a hot rubber band being snapped against the target area, while you may experience a feeling like sunburn in the hours following.
• Laser and IPL can be costly, especially when treating large surface areas like the legs.
• The use of machines is largely unregulated, so it’s crucial to find a reputable clinic and not be lured by bargain basement package deals.
• Tanning should be avoided for at least four weeks following each treatment, as skin is sensitised and could burn or result in discolouration.
• Some medications can make you more light sensitive, so it’s essential you discuss these with your aesthetician.
• In general, these treatments work best when there is sufficient contrast between the hair and skin colours. If your hair is very fair, laser may not work for you as the machine may have difficulty identifying the follicles to be targeted. Similarly, if your skin tone is dark, IPL may not be advisable.

Best for

Most areas of the body and face