Should You Shave, Wax Or Laser Your Legs?
When it comes to hair removal methods on our legs, most of us stick to shaving. But a growing number of women (and men) are switching to waxing or laser hair removal. Just which is the best solution for keeping those legs soft and smooth? This post compares shaving, waxing and laser hair removal to help you find the best option for you.
Shaving
Shaving legs became common in the 1920s as shorter dresses became more common, and by the 1950s shaving was the norm. To this day, it remains the most popular way to remove hair from our legs and armpits. Most of us shave in the bath or shower – on average, about once per week.
How much does it cost?
Shaving is very cheap. You can buy a decent women’s razor for just over $3 (if you prefer a brand like Gilette, you’re looking at over $8). Shaving cream costs between $1 and $6. You’re supposed to change your razor/blades every 5 to 10 shaves. Therefore, if you’re shaving twice per week, you can expect to pay somewhere upwards of $60 per year on shaving your legs.
How long does it take?
If you’re shaving regularly, it will likely take you 5 to 10 minutes to shave your legs. Leave it longer between shaves, and you may spend 20 minutes shaving your legs. Some studies suggest that the average woman spends 72 days of their life shaving their legs.
How long does it last?
Shaving doesn’t last long. Most of us can expect our legs to be prickly again after three days. To stop legs becoming too hairy, you should shave twice per week. Some women shave every day to maintain constantly smooth legs. Those who are not too concerned may only shave twice per month.
Any pain or side effects?
The biggest pro to shaving is that it’s completely painless. You may give yourself the odd nick now and again, and razor burn can occur from not replacing your razor regularly enough. However, shaving generally doesn’t cause much irritation if you’re using plenty of shaving foam and a clean newish razor.
Waxing
Waxing became popular in the 60s. This is when the first waxing strips were introduced, allowing women to wax their legs at home themselves. Professional waxing has been around a while and is still viewed as the most effective option if you want to remove all the hairs quickly and effectively.
How much does it cost?
A pack of 24 waxing strips can be bought for about $10. If you’re waxing your legs every 3 weeks, and you’re using a new pack every second time, you can therefore expect to spend $90 on waxing strips in a year. Of course, if you’re able to use less strips (most waxing strips are reusable) and are willing to wax less often, you may only need to buy 4 pack of waxing strips in a year, totalling about $40 (less than you’ll spend on shaving in a year). A professional full leg wax can cost anywhere from $15 to $50 per session.
How long does it take?
Waxing is able to remove huge amounts of hair quickly, but it does take time to apply each waxing strip properly. Whether you’re doing it at home or paying a professional, you can expect it to take 20 t0 30 minutes to wax both legs.
How long does it last?
When you wax your legs, you pull the hair out at the root. When done properly, you should not see regrowth for 3 to 6 weeks. This means that you may only have to wax your legs between 8 and 17 times in a year. That is a lot of time saved spent shaving. A professional esthetician may be able to encourage longer lasting results.
Any pain or side effects?
Unfortunately, waxing is painful. A professional esthetician may be able to reduce this pain, but in most cases it will still sting every time a strip is removed. Some people experience bleeding or redness after getting their legs waxed, while follicle infections and ingrown hairs can also be a side effect. Getting your legs professionally waxed will likely minimize these complications.
Laser hair removal
Laser hair removal only became commercially available in the 90s. It involves using a focused beam of light to not just destroy the hair, but also damage the follicle. Hand-held IPL devices can be used at home, but generally don’t use as strong a laser as used by a clinic or med spa.
How much does it cost?
A laser hair removal session can cost anywhere from $100 to $800 depending on the area of hair you want to remove. When it comes to removing hair from legs, you can expect upwards of $300. Home IPL devices cost upwards of $200.
How long does it take?
To target every hair follicle on your legs, you can expect a session to take upwards of 30 minutes – often over an hour. Some people just focus on their lower legs, which can save you time and money.
How long does it last?
Laser hair removal has the potential to be permanent. However, for most people, hair growth returns in 6 to 8 weeks. Repeated sessions can often help increase the time it takes hair to regrow. Eventually, some people find that hair doesn’t grow back for years. This could mean not more time spent shaving or waxing!
Any pain or side effects?
Laser hair removal can produce some discomfort, but is generally perceived to be a lot less painful than waxing. Your legs are likely to be quite red and sensitive for a day after (think mild sunburn!). However, you shouldn’t expect pain to last much longer than this. Those with sensitive skin may experience adverse effects like blistering and scarring, but this is rare.
Which should you choose?
If you want a pain-free and convenient option, it’s best to stick with shaving. Shaving costs less upfront and is quicker each time, plus there are few unwanted side effects unless you’re shaving with an old unclean razor.
Waxing is a longer-lasting option that could save you money in the long run. If you don’t mind the pain, it’s worth it for the reduced time spent shaving.
As for laser hair removal, this could be the solution to choose if you’re willing to invest some money into a more long-term removal. It’s ideal for those who want permanently smooth legs, but are done with the hassle of frequently shaving them.
Choosing the right hair removal treatment for you depends more on your budget and comfort level than anything else!