Fitness and Health

Men and women both produce hair in the underarm region. It normally begins to appear in the early stages of puberty, continuing until the end of the teenage years. Many people in the modern world, however, consider it to be unsightly and so look for ways for simple and effective armpit hair removal.

Hair is a major cause of the unpleasant smells that often emanate from the armpit, or axilla. The reason for this is that sebum, an odorless oily substance produced by the skin to prevent hair and skin from drying out, gets caught up in it. Bacteria, which is similarly trapped, breaks down the sebum resulting in what is known as body odor.

The hair, however, is not redundant. It acts as a lubricant between the body and the arm so reducing chaffing. In addition, it holds pheromones that the body produces to stimulate interest from members of the opposite sex. Many people, however, find it smelly and unsightly and seek to remove it. They have a number of options. These range from traditional shaving to depilatory creams and to the more recent innovation of lasers. There are pros and cons for each method.

Of the methods available dry shaving is among the simplest. With the armpit perfectly dry, a generous dusting of talcum powder should be applied. It can then be shaved carefully, ensuring that the razor is kept dry is not clogged by excess talcum powder. When finished, the area should be washed and dried. No deodorant or antiperspirant should be used for around 24 hours.

The more familiar technique of wet shaving can also be used. With the area nicely soaked, shaving soap or cream should be applied. The razor should then be drawn over the area from the bottom. When the operation is complete, all that is left is to rinse and dry and to dust on a little talcum powder to prevent irritation.

Depilatory creams are a good alternative for those who might be uncomfortable using razors. They cause the keratin in the hair and skin to break down so that the hair is weakened and becomes easy to scrape off. Although these creams are painless and very simple to use, they can cause skin irritation in some people.

Another alternative to the use of razors is the wax strip. Essentially, users merely have to follow apply the strip to the part to be treated and then remove it. There are several products available so it is important to follow the specific instructions that come with the product being used.

The foregoing methods are all relatively easy and inexpensive. Shaving and creams, however, do not give long lasting results and waxing can be painful for the initiate. For longer lasting results, other methods must be used.

More permanent results carry a much greater price tag but can be achieved using IPL or laser treatments. These destroy the hair follicle and are considered to be permanent after a course of treatment. Each course is tailored specifically for each client and results do vary.

Any of these methods will result in a smooth hair-free underarm area. While there seem to be no medical benefits from armpit hair removal, the cosmetic advantages are clear. In the end, it is very much a personal choice.