The Hair Issue...Getting to the Root of the Problem

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The Hair Issue...Getting to the Root of the Problem

Details: Published on Monday, 16 May 2011 21:00; Written by Stacey Naito DO, AOBFP

Most competitors will resort to some form of hair reduction or removal in order to enhance muscle definition. But if this is new territory for you, you may be wondering which method works best for you. Let’s review some popular hair removal methods:

· Shaving – This is probably the most common form of hair removal since it is cheap and easy to do. However, if you are embarking on this form of hair eradication on your body, you may not be prepared for the possible nicks, ingrown hairs and razor rash you may develop. And unless you have a fancy long-handled razor, you can forget about shaving your back without some assistance from an often reluctant assistant.

· Depilatories – These creams are relatively easy to use, simply requiring application, a few minutes for the chemicals to dissolve the hair, and wiping or rinsing off the product. However, they can be messy, and some people can get severe irritation from the chemicals, especially when applied to the nether regions.

· Waxing – This is an extremely effective form of hair removal, but the hair must be long enough (usually about 3/16” or more) for the wax to grab onto. When hair regrowth occurs, the hairs are much finer. However, waxing can make you writhe and scream like a schoolgirl, as those of you who saw the famous waxing scene in “40-Year-Old Virgin” may recall.

· Electrolysis – This is a permanent form of hair reduction in which individual hairs are treated. This can be time consuming and expensive, especially when large surface areas are involved.

· Lasers – Another form of permanent hair removal, lasers derange actively growing hair follicles. This can be costly, and requires several treatments (usually 6 to 8 in a specific time interval) in order to achieve complete results. But remember folks, results are permanent. Keep in mind that certain areas of the body are much more sensitive to laser energy, leaving you squirming in a manner similar to waxing.

· Clipping – This is the easiest means by which to reduce the amount of body hair but can look a bit strange on men who have very dense patches or hair growth with very dark hair in said areas.

I hope this summary of hair removal techniques will be helpful for those of you who are trying to figure out the best method.