Is Hair Removal Cream Better Than Shaving?
There’s no worse feeling then whipping out a new razor, carefully shaving your legs smooth, only to have them feeling like a couple of cacti come nighttime.
If you’re starting to suspect your shaving cream is spiked with Rogaine, you’re not alone! So, why does the hair return so quickly after shaving? Because, when you shave, you’re not actually removing the hair, you’re just shortening it. You’re also cutting the hair at a blunt angle, which means regrowth will appear thicker and coarser.
That’s why many women have ditched their razors in favor of hair removal cream. But will this cream, which once had a reputation for being messy and stinky, really take the place of your Bic? Read on as we determine whether hair removal creams work better than shaving.
Why Shaving is Better
Shaving is the most popular hair removal method, and for good reason. It’s cheap, easy, and, unless you cut yourself, painless. Since all you need is a razor and some shaving cream, it’s easy to see why those who are time-crunched would opt for this method of hair removal.
If you do choose to shave, there are a few things you can do to make your legs stay stubble-free for longer.
First, make sure you shave towards the end of your shower, as this gives your skin and hair time to soften.
Next, in order to obtain the closest possible shave, ensure you’re shaving against the hair growth. That means starting near your ankle and working your way up to your knee.
Follow up with a bit of alcohol-free lotion, which locks in moisture and gives your legs a smooth, bump-free sheen.
Why Hair Removal Creams are Better
Creams are another option to remove hair. They are easily accessible, relatively inexpensive and, as long as you don’t have sensitive skin, painless. They also penetrate below the skin to remove hair and leave you stubble-free for up to a week, unlike shaving where regrowth happens much more quickly.
Hair removal cream is also pretty simple to use- just spread it on, wait a few minutes and wash away. However, if used incorrectly, creams can leave you patchy — smooth in one area and hairy in another. To avoid these uneven results, ensure you apply the cream in a smooth, even layer across the entire leg.
The Downside to Shaving
When you shave, your razor cuts away the hair from the skin’s surface, while the strand and root remain unaffected. Then, once the root pushes a new strand to the surface, it creates stubble. Depending on your genetics, this hair regrowth may occur very quickly.
And although it’s a myth that shaving makes hair grow back thicker, the blunt angle by which the hair is cut during shaving will make it appear thicker.
Therefore, shaving is best for those with fine, light-colored hair, and for those with slower hair regrowth.
So, for those who shave in the morning and have stubble by the end of the day, you may want to instead consider removing hair from the root, through waxing or creams.
The Downside to Hair Removal Creams
If you have dark, coarse, or fast-growing hair, you may lean towards cream as your chosen hair removal method, since results will be longer-lasting. However, the downside to creams is they pose a potential risk of skin sensitivity, which can lead to redness, irritation, and burns.
In order to ensure your skin won’t have a negative reaction to the hair removal cream, you’ll want to perform a patch test prior to application. Make sure not to skip this step before diving into a full-body application, as red, irritated skin is painful and not a good look on anyone!
Which Hair Removal Method Should You Choose?
Now that you know the ins and outs of both shaving and creams, choosing which type of hair removal method is best should be an easier decision. While there is no right or wrong answer, creams win as far as long-lasting results, while shaving wins for convenience. If you do go the cream removal route, just ensure you test your skin prior to application. If you find you do have sensitive skin, shaving is always the best method of hair removal.
Resources— Huffpost, How Stuff Works, Gillette Venus
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