by Alexis Fischer

Created on: July 07, 2011

Many people consider armpit hair unsightly and prefer to remove it.  Removing it can also help prevent odor so others choose to do so for this reason.  If you wish to remove your armpit hair there are a variety of methods you can choose from.

Shaving

Shaving is a very popular method of hair removal as it is quick and simple.  Either a disposable razor and shaving foam, or an electric razor can be used.  Disposable razors are cheap, but are not as gentle on the skin as an electric razor so it may be worth investing in a good electric one if you are prone to rashes after shaving.  It is important to use shaving foam with a disposable razor or you are likely to irritate the skin.  Soap or shower gel can be used if necessary, but will not allow the razor to move over the skin as smoothly, increasing the chance of irritation and not allowing for as close a shave.

While popular, shaving has the disadvantage that the hair grows back quickly, meaning it must be done frequently.  Some women may find they need to shave most days to keep their armpits hair free, especially those with dark hair as this is more noticeable.

Waxing

Waxing involves applying wax to the underarm area and then removing it, along with the armpit hair.  This can be done either using warm wax which is spread over the area with a spatula and then removed using cloth strips, or with ready made wax strips, consisting of wax on a backing strip which does not need to be heated.  It is easiest to have this done in a salon, but you can wax at home.

The hair must be at least 5mm long for waxing which means that you have to let it grow before removal, and some women find the procedure painful.  It is however quick and can last for several weeks, so is a good option if you do not find it painful or can tolerate it.

Depilatory Cream

Depilatory creams dissolve the hair for a very smooth finish.  The cream is applied to the armpits and left on for a few minutes before removing.  Many provide a spatula or similar device for easy removal.  The results last longer than shaving but some find the smell of the cream off putting or do not like the mess involved.

Epilating

Epilators are electrical hair removal tools, consisting of many small tweezers.  They are run over the underarm and pull out the hairs.  As with waxing, this method can be painful although some epilators have special features such as cooling strips designed to minimise pain.  Shorter

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