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Best Methods For Removing Back Hair
Temporary Hair Removal
- Electric Shaver
- Depilatories (hair removal cream)
- Waxing
- Epilating
Permanent Hair Removal
- Laser Hair Removal
- Electrolysis
Having back hair is not something you should be ashamed about. We all have hair all over our bodies, but some of us simply have more visible hair than others. This can be due to genetics, or conditions such as hirsutism or hypertrichosis due to a hormone imbalance. The reason will depend on each person (HealthLine).
If having back hair is getting you down or making you feel self conscious, there are lots of ways to get rid of it. Some are temporary, such as shaving and waxing, and others such as laser treatment and electrolysis offer an – almost – permanent removal.
If you find it difficult to talk about, there are ways you can do it at home and by yourself. You might have to bend into difficult positions, but it is doable. Other methods will require an extra pair of hands or a visit to a professional hair removal centre.
But trust me, they have seen it all, so try not to be shy about it. Don’t be put off wearing a bikini or strappy tops, if you have unwanted back hair and want to get rid of it, read on to find out how.
What You’ll Need For Temporary Hair Removal
There are many effective temporary methods for removing back hair. Some have longer lasting results than others, so the best one for you will depend on how often you’re prepared to spend time on the tedious business of hair removal.
Electric Shaver
This is one of the easiest, fastest and most cost effective ways of temporarily removing back hair. Once you invest in a good quality shaver, you can continue using it for years.
It works by cutting hair on the surface of your skin, and should be done following the direction of hair growth. This is one of the least painful methods for removing hair, but you’ll need to do it often as hair grows back quite quickly.
With practice, you can probably do this on your own. You might need some help accessing trickier parts in the beginning, so don’t be afraid to ask a friend, family member or boyfriend.
The downside to shaving is that the results won’t last long, and you might get razor burns or ingrown hairs. Using exfoliating creams and soothing balms can help you get the best results from this method.
You could try Panasonic’s Ladies Electric Shaver which can be used directly on dry skin, or in the shower with the addition of gels and foams.
Depilatories (hair removal cream)
These creams contain chemicals which destroy hair follicles on the surface of your skin, and then you wipe away the product with a sponge or cloth. It is a relatively easy and pain free method, but can be expensive if you use it all the time.
As some creams can cause irritation, it’s better to test some on a smaller amount of skin before you apply it to your back. The inside of your wrist is a good spot to try first, and if there is no reaction by the next day you can use it on larger parts of your body.
Some creams can also help coarse hair grow back thinner. Veet Hair Removal Gel is a good option, and should also create less stubble than you get with an electric shaver.
Depending on your flexibility and where on your back you’re trying to target, you can probably do this at home by yourself.
Waxing
This method offers a “semi-permanent” hair removal technique, as it works by ripping hair out from the roots. This sounds painful, and it usually is. Especially if you’ve never used wax before.
There are a variety of products which you can try at home, and you can choose pre-waxed strips or hard wax which you heat up and melt. You apply it in the direction of hair growth, and then pull back in the opposite direction.
Waxing will remove hair for longer than shaving, and should last between 4 to 6 six depending on the rate your hair grows. However, you might develop a rash on your skin, and there is also a risk to developing ingrown hairs.
If you’ve never waxed before, I would suggest visiting a professional salon first. It’s less painful when you know what you’re doing, and will help you know what to expect before trying to do it yourself.
If you’d like to try at home, pre-waxed strips are usually inexpensive and available in supermarkets or drugstores. Or you could try something a little more advanced such as GiGi’s Student Starter Kit.
If you have hair on your lower back, this should be easy to access with the help of a mirror, and pre-waxed strips are usually less messy. If you’re targeting the whole of your back, it will be easier to lie down and ask someone to help you.
Epilating
With this method, you use an electrical device which plucks hair from the roots, much like electronic tweezers. It is another cost effective way of temporarily removing hair, as once you buy a good quality epilator it should last for years.
This is also one of the quickest methods of temporary hair removal. Epilators are very easy to use, and over time your hair should start to grow back finer. In the beginning the sensation can be quite painful, but you do get used to it.
Whereas for waxing to work properly you need to let your hair grow a fair amount, it’s best to use an epilator on shorter hair. Plucking longer hairs at this speed can feel more painful.
Hair removal should last a similar amount of time to waxing, so between 4 to 6 weeks. Epilators are usually associated with hair removal on legs, arms and bikini area, but you can also use them to remove back hair.
Be prepared for your eyes to water if it’s the first time you use one. Silk-épil 9 by Braun can be a good option, as it also includes exfoliation brushes to help avoid ingrown hairs.
If you’re targeting your shoulders or lower back area, you probably won’t need any help to use an epilator. But anywhere which is difficult to reach will be difficult on your own, so if you choose this method you might need some help.
Options For Permanent Hair Removal
If you have back hair which is really getting you down or stopping you from doing things you’d like to do (such as going to the gym or going swimming), you might want to try a more permanent hair removal solution.
As these often require multiple sessions over the period of a few months, they can be quite expensive, and often don’t remove hair for ever. But they do offer much longer term solutions to the methods I just mentioned above.
Laser Hair Removal
This method destroys hair by applying highly concentrated light into the hair follicle. When your skin’s pigment absorbs the light it damages the follicle lining, making it harder for hair to grow back (hair.knowfacts.org).
You will probably need a few sessions at monthly intervals in order to get rid of back hair. It works best on hair that is in a growing stage, so it can be difficult to target a large part of your body.
This is a fast way of removing hair permanently, but each person will need a different amount of sessions depending on their needs. Lots of sessions can be expensive, so getting a quote for the full treatment can help you decide on whether this is the best option for you.
Laser hair removal works best on dark hair and pale skin, as the pigment in darker skin can pick up energy from the laser and can cause some scarring (EmbarrassingProblems).
Some centres offer specialist treatment for darker skin or finer, lighter hair, so it’s a good idea to research the services offered by your local clinics before deciding on the right one for you.
Make sure you choose a qualified centre operated by a doctor or dermatologist. Although side effects are rare, the incorrect application can cause temporary redness, swelling and sensitivity where the laser has been applied.
Electrolysis
This is can be the best way to get rid of back hair on a long term basis. An electrical current is delivered to the hair follicle through a very fine needle, which damages the hair and tissue in the surrounding area.
As each hair is targeted individually it can be quite a slow process. You should leave at least 2 weeks between sessions so that your skin can recover, and permanent hair removal of a larger area can take between 6 to 9 months (EmbarrassingProblems).
Although electrolysis can cause some mild discomfort, unlike laser hair removal it is suitable for all skin types. It is very important to choose an expert salon so that your skin isn’t punctured during the procedure.
As a large area of skin such as your back will require several sessions, this can turn out to be an expensive procedure. But if you feel the need to get rid of back hair for good, this is probably the best option.
If You’re Worried About Back Hair
If you think you have an abnormal amount of dark, coarse hair on your back or on other parts of your body, speak to your doctor. It may be due to a hormonal imbalance which makes some areas of your skin more sensitive to certain hormones which stimulate hair growth (HealthLine).
This can lead to hair growth in areas usually associated with male body hair, such as the upper lip, arms, back and abdomen. If you do have a condition such as hirsutism or hypertrichosis, your doctor might recommend taking a combined oral contraceptive pill with progestogen and oestrogen to try and correct the imbalance.
Any of the methods I mentioned above will also help remove unwanted body hair, so you don’t have to put up with it if it really bothers you.
Conclusion
The right method for you will depend greatly on your needs and how much your day to day life is affected by the presence of unwanted back hair. If it doesn’t bother you much, and only need to remove it every now and again, I would opt for one of the temporary methods.
Using electric shavers or epilators are cost effective, fast and easy. With enough practice you’ll probably be able to do it yourself. If it feels like you’re always battling against body hair, then a more permanent solution is probably better for you.
It’s a constant struggle for women to appear “hairless”, and having unwanted hair anywhere on your body can make you feel less feminine. I hope this article has given you a few ideas on how to get rid of back hair, and helps you feel more confident.
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