Stepping out of the shower, fresh and smooth after a hair removal session is one of the most satisfying feelings. However, there’s nothing worse than seeing pokey stubble appearing the next day after your fresh wax or shave.
Unwanted body hair is a problem no one likes dealing with, but there are ways to keep your hair from growing back as quick.
Keep reading as we reveal the longest lasting hair removal techniques and tips for longer-lasting smoothness, so you can enjoy the results of your hair removal process for even longer.
Which Home Methods and Treatments Last Longer
There are many things to consider when choosing your preferred hair removal method. While some treatments may last longer than others, they may come at a painful price. We have gathered the three most popular home hair removal treatments to reveal what methods last the longest.
Shaving
Shaving is the method in which a razor is used to cut off the hairs at skin level. This is a pain-free (minding that you don’t cut yourself with the razor blade) and quick method to remove hair easily. However, because the hair is cut off at skin level, it usually starts growing back in 2 to 3 days.
Waxing
Waxing, while providing long-lasting results is the more painful hair removal method option. Hot wax or wax strips are applied to the skin then pulled to remove the hair from the roots.
However, the hair needs to be long enough to wax, therefore it needs to be given time to grow out in between treatments. The hair usually only grows back in three to six weeks.
Suggested Article: How to Get a Less Painful Facial Wax
Depilatory Creams
Depilatory creams are applied in thick layers to the skin to dissolve the hairs at skin level. This is a painless process, apart from the slight tingling feeling you feel when the hair is being dissolved by the product. However, the product isn’t great for removing thick, stubborn hairs and may leave some behind. The hair usually starts to grow back within 2 to 3 days.
How to Prep the Skin to Ensure Hair Removal Lasts Longer
Shower First
If you are using a razor as your hair removal method, make sure you shower before you shave. Not only will this remove natural oils, but it also allows the water to soak into the skin to keep it nice and hydrated before grabbing the razor, resulting in a closer shave.
Exfoliate
Exfoliating is the simplest way to prevent ingrown hairs and ensure your hair removal lasts longer. If you don’t exfoliate, dirt and dead skin cells can build up in your skin and block hair follicles. This can cause little-trapped hairs to get left behind, meaning your razor won’t be able to pick up all the hairs as the dirt and dead skin cells get trapped in the way of the blade.
The best way to ensure that your razor catches all the hairs is to use a gentle scrub to exfoliate your skin and buff away any impurities to reveal all your hidden hairs. Use the scrub in circular motions on your body to make those tricky little hairs easier to remove.
Suggested Article: The Best Hair Removal Methods for Sensitive Skin.
How to Achieve Longer Lasting Smooth Skin
Regardless of what hair removal method you decide to use, there are certain techniques and tips to keep in mind to ensure that you stay hair-free for longer. If you want long-lasting smoothness, then it is essential to follow the proper hair removal techniques.
Shaving
Use a Good Razor
It is essential to make sure you have a sharp razor when shaving. This makes it more efficient in cutting hairs without having to keep running the razor over your skin.
Using an older razor that is dull, rusty or blunt can be aggressive on the skin and cause it to grow unevenly. Therefore, while it seems that hair is growing back quickly, it is actually growing back unevenly.
Using a sharp blade will keep everything on the same level, making your shave last longer.
Use a Shaving Cream or Foam
If you want a longer-lasting shave, ditch the soap and switch to shaving creams, gels or foams. While soaps and only designed to clean the skin, shaving products are made to hydrate the skin and make it more slippery decrease friction and to allow the razor to glide with ease.
This will keep the skin smoother and hairs softer to reduce how often you have to shave and give you a little extra time before stubble appears.
Don’t Shave First Thing in the Morning
To ensure the smoothest and most effective shave, don’t shave your legs in the morning. Your legs swell slightly in the morning, which can hide some hairs and appear as though your hair is growing back quickly. To avoid this, shave your legs in the evening instead, when it has relaxed and isn’t swelled to ensure you catch every hair.
Waxing
Wait it out
You might be tempted to get rid of your new grown hair as soon as it appears, however, if you are using waxing as your hair removal method, it is best to wait it out. If you don’t wait for the hair to grow out properly before you wax, you will only have part of it removed and increase the chance of getting ingrown hairs.
It is best to wait 4 weeks since your last wax treatment before getting the next one. This will ensure that the hair is long enough for the wax to grab it properly, allowing the hairs to be removed from the root. This will result in a slower and even growth of hair.
Make a Schedule
When you wax consistently, it allows for the hairs to grow back thinner and in steady, regular cycles. To keep your skin smoother for longer, get into a routine and stick to it. Doing this for over a period of time means you can eventually go longer times between waxing, keeping your skin hair-free for longer.
Avoid the urge to shave or wax in-between your schedule when you see little pesky hairs appearing. The wait will eventually be worth it.
Suggested Article: Top Ten Beauty Tips about Facial Threading
Maintaining Smooth Skin
Aftercare
Aftercare is important to ensure that your hair removal results last as long as possible.
Take care of the freshly removed skin by keeping it nice and moisturized and hydrated. If you want to stay hair-free for longer, making moisturizing part of your daily routine is essential. Not only does this lock in smoothness, but it also minimizes prickliness while slowing down hair growth.
Exfoliating regularly even after your hair removal treatment is important. It is important to regularly get rid of dead skin cells and dirt from your pores, which will allow for finer hair growth and prevent ingrown hairs.
To learn more about hair removal methods, check out our article on How to Make Home Hair Removal Last Longer as well as our thoughts on How to Remove Unwanted Hair from Sensitive Skin.