For a nation that spends most of its year in various states of beach-related undress, body hair in Australia is largely a big no no. While trends have come and gone during the years, it’s safe to say that the majority of modern ladies (and gents) today prefer to be fuzz-free.
Advancements in hair removal methods have been vast - society has grown from flint-scraping and homemade paste application in Ancient Egypt to a booming multi-million dollar beauty sector that now involves waxing, threading, electrolysis and lasers.
The ABC reported that the average American woman spends $US10,000 during her lifetime on body hair, and an estimated 1.12 million women in the UK currently use hair removal once a day or more. A survey by Schick found 80 per cent of women maintain their bikini area on a consistent basis all year round.
But closer to home, Women’s Health undertook a survey to examine just how many ladies Down Under prefer to be fuzz-free. For 5,000 Australian readers, hair is regularly removed from the eyebrows (69 per cent), upper lip (65 per cent), armpits (77 per cent), bikini line (70 per cent), and legs (76 per cent).
Women are not alone in the pursuit of a hairless existence - with the ABC confirming 60 per cent of men regularly reduce or remove their body hair. One London clinic has revealed the number of men undergoing laser hair removal has risen from 86 per cent between 2012 and 2013.
And just as hair grows differently on every individual, so too is there a myriad of different options for its removal - relevant to age, hair type, financial status and (most importantly) pain threshold. BD has collated the latest innovations when it comes to hair removal, no matter your preference.
Laser vision
A modern-day marvel, laser hair removal is going from strength to strength thanks to its offering of permanent hair removal from anywhere on the body. Nowadays, you don’t even need to drop into a specialised clinic to receive treatment thanks to a scope of new at-home laser treatments available to use in the convenience of your own bathroom.
Remington
Homedics
A fresh shave
The best shave is one that cuts as close to the skin as possible without a chance of making a scratch on the surface. Picking a razor designed for the specific areas on the body is important, with a rising number of specialised razors now available on the market which help to tame and trim hair from face to toe.
Schick
Babyliss
Braun
Gillette
Lush
Wax on, wax off
A somewhat painful activity that emerged as one of the first methods of hair removal, waxing does ensure long-lasting results for its fans. Ingredients and application methods differ from nation to nation, but a huge wealth of waxing options available to consumers today ensure that there is an option for every skin type, price point and preferred technique.
Nad’s
Nair
Veet
Andrea
BeautyPRO
Ingrown patrol
Ingrown hairs are an unfortunate side-effect of hair removal, with most of the population being afflicted with them at some point. Taking thorough pre and post care of the area is important to remain resistant to the annoying red, inflamed bumps and lumps that rise in the skin. An antibacterial wash, shaving cream, and regular exfoliation can help, but if all else fails - adhere to specially-devised anti-ingrown formulations.
Avene
Dermalogica
Dr. Bronner’s
Eco Tools
endota
Eminence
Bliss
Thalgo
Weleda After Shave Balm
Let’s hear it for the boys
While women are traditionally leading the charge when it comes to hair removal, more and more men are jumping aboard the bandwagon. Men’s offerings focus less on being bare-faced and more towards keeping the natural hair growth that is there neat and tidy, as well as protect the face from the chance of inflammation.
Davinci Hair & Beard Trimmer
BioElements
BABOR
Aromatherapy Associates
Gernétic
Gillette
HANDSOME
Kiehl’s
L'OCCITANE
L'Oréal Paris Men Expert Anti-Irritation Shaving Gel
Lab Series
Natio For Men
NIVEA MEN
Sanctum
The Silver Bullet
Keep strays at bay
Whether you prefer yourself aerodynamic or rather more natural, the humble tweezer should be a permanent fixture in your bathroom. The only way to control a rogue follicle (as well as a helping hand in a splinter-related incident) tweezers are now available in a number of different shapes so as to suit your individual demands.
Manicare
QVS Combo Tip Tweezers
Revlon Marchesa Runway Collection Slant Tweezer
Shu Uemura
Tweezerman’s Swarovski Crystal Slant Tweezer
UBU Combination Tip Tweezer
Image crop: @heya
