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There are some methods for underarms hair removal,such as shaving, waxing, lasers, electrolysis.
Close shave:
Easy and cost-effective
How it works: "Start with a sharp blade, and do your best to shave in the direction the hair is growing," says Danielle Malka, creator of e-Shave, a line of shaving tools and products based in New York (eshave.com). "It's a good idea to shave at the end of a shower. Heat and water open pores and soften hair, so you'll get a closer shave." Use oils, foams or creams that lather as buffers and softeners. Hair conditioner is actually a great softener, Malka adds. Costs: $5-$50 for shaver and supplies.
Waxing:
Quick and inexpensive
How it works: "No matter where you choose to wax, you'll get the best results if you have at least a quarter inch of hair--a bit more if your hair is coarse," says master waxer Cindy Barshop, owner of Completely Bare Hair Removal Spas in New York (completelybare.com). "People love waxing because it's fast, lasts longer than shaving, and is relatively cheap compared with most other professional treatments." Your skin can be more sensitive the week before your period, so skip waxing during this time. Sensitive-skin types should avoid exfoliation just before waxing; that bit of dead skin can actually be a buffer against irritation. Costs: $5-$100.
TIPs:
If you suffer from ingrown hairs between waxing and shaving sessions, try a daily exfoliator to lessen the chances of getting them. We like: Bliss Ingrown Hair Eliminating Peeling Pads.
When you choose invasive professional treatments like electrolysis, IPL or lasers, select practitioners who have had ample experience with people of color.
Lasers:
A ray of light for us
Best for: Any part of the face or body. How it works; Laser hair removal is not permanent, but the results can last for months. Which lasers are right for us? "Lasers that use longer wavelengths to focus on the hair follicle without damaging the skin," answers Jeanine Downie, M.D., a dermatologist in Montclair, New Jersey. When hair returns after laser removal, it is also more likely to be much thinner, according to Robert Guida, M.D., a plastic surgeon at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, who has had tremendous results treating severe razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae) with his Lyra laser: "You'll need a few sessions with lasers, but not as many as with electrolysis." Costs: $250 and up.
Intense pulsed light (IPL):
The next wave
Best for: Any part of the face or body. How it works: "Intense Pulsed Light treatment uses bursts of light, as opposed to a single coherent beam, like lasers, to remove hair," says Downie. "It isn't permanent, but many say hair growth is significantly reduced after repeated treatments." Dana Elise of Laser Solutions Skincare Medical Clinic in Beverly Hills, California (lasersolutions90210.com) adds, "IPL is not safe for people of color unless it's used with what is known as a 755 filter. This filter allows for a greater cooling time between the light pulses. Without the cooling time, IPL could be damaging to Black skin." Costs: $125 and up.
ELECTROLYSIS:
permanent hair removal
Best for: Areas of the face or body where you never want to see hair again.
How it works: A needle or probe is inserted into the hair follicle, and an electric current converted into heat is passed through it, preventing hair growth. Each hair must be treated individually, so the process can entail numerous sessions. Because even the most minor trauma can cause dark marks and scarring on Black skin, be sure to find a skilled professional to do electrolysis. We've seen terrific results from Lucy Peters International, Ltd. (lucypeters.com), which has locations throughout the country. If one of Peters's spots isn't near you, she suggests you use these tips to evaluate a facility: Look at before and after pictures of African-American clients. Make sure the facility uses insulated, flexible probes with bulbous tips; insulated probes create minimal heat damage to skin and are more easily maneuvered within curly-hair follicles. And be sure the establishment uses a dry-heat sterilizer on the equipment. "If you don't find these measures in place, move on," Peters says.
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