Skin Care

How To Remove Underarm Hair: Effortless Solutions!

A proper underarm shave reduces odor and suits your wardrobe.


Written by Venu Agrawal

On Sep 30, 2023 – 9 minutes read

remove underarm hair

Do you dislike having hair under your arms? It’s very normal for hair to develop in the armpits. While many people embrace the look of unattended underarm hair, others find it to be an inconvenience. Knowing how to remove underarm hair properly is crucial for a neat and comfy armpit. Let’s find out all about how to remove underarm hair in this article.

How To Remove Underarm Hair: Is It Good To Remove It?

Underarm hair serves a practical purpose by keeping sweat and microorganisms off the skin. However, having armpit hair might cause significant embarrassment at times. Imagine having fun at the beach in a bikini with a hairy armpit; that’s awful. Having hair in your armpits can make it difficult to move freely and restrict your outfit options. In addition to making it simpler to keep up with underarm cleanliness, eliminating armpit hair can help prevent sweat and odor buildup

best way to remove underarm hair for teenager

As a result, you should feel comfortable asking, how do I get rid of underarm hair to improve your quality of life. Although the main drive for armpit shaving is hygiene, some hair removal methods can cause darkening, which can be uncomfortable when wearing sleeveless tops. In light of this, you must know how to remove underarm hair without darkening before deciding on a method.

Is It Good Or Bad To Remove Armpit Hair?

Therefore, before featuring on how to remove underarm hair, let us begin by looking deeply at its pros and cons to determine if removing your armpit hair is good for you:

Pros:

  1. Maintaining hygiene in the underarm region: Underarms devoid of hair exhibit enhanced cleanliness, smoothness, and comfort. Moreover, it is permissible to wear sleeveless attire.
  2. Decreased sweating: The absence of hair in the underarm region has been seen to have a mitigating effect on perspiration. The presence of underarm hair retains moisture, resulting in discoloration of clothing in the underarm region.
  3. Diminished odor: Underarm hair retains moisture, which creates an environment conducive to the proliferation of bacteria. This can result in an unpleasant odor.

Cons:

  1. Skin irritation: One of the negative consequences of shaving the underarms is the occurrence of unpleasant reactions. 
  2. Ingrown hair: Occasionally, following the act of shaving one’s armpits, there is a possibility of hair growing inwards. This condition can cause significant pain and potentially result in inflammation and persistent itching, resulting in a state of discomfort.
  3. Underarm skin darkening:  Individuals with sensitive skin may experience a phenomenon known as “skin darkening” due to removing hair from their armpits. 
  4. Razor burn: Although this phenomenon is not directly attributed to the act of hair removal, it is a consequence of the mechanisms employed during the process of underarm hair removal.

However, there are no scientifically proven health benefits to shaving under the arms; it’s purely about how you feel.

Without further ado, here are various safe ways how to remove underarm hair.

How Can I Remove Underarm Hair At Home

If you have been wondering how to remove underarm hair at home, here are the best methods to do it:

1. Shaving

A common and convenient method to get rid of underarm hair is shaving. A sharp razor is used to remove the hair from the skin. Shaving is a low-cost hair removal method because razors are readily available and may be reused.

how to remove underarm hair without darkening

Even though it’s a quick and easy process, applying shaving cream to prevent cuts and burns from the razor is important. However, it eliminates hair from the skin’s surface so that the hair will grow back quickly, usually in just a few days. This is the simplest way to remove axillary hair for teenagers.

2. Waxing

When it comes to how to remove underarm hair at home, waxing is a popular option. Waxing can be done in the convenience of your home with a waxing kit or with the help of a professional in a beauty salon. Warm or cold wax is applied to wax the underarms, and then the wax and hair are quickly stripped off.

is it ok to remove armpit hair

Bear in mind that wax needs hair to attach to it to remove it; thus, growing your underarm hair to at least a quarter of an inch will be necessary for the process to be effective. Unfortunately, waxing often results in unpleasant skin irritation and ingrown hairs. In the long run, armpit hair is less noticeable after waxing because the hair is effectively removed. However, the need to get waxed frequently makes people wonder if they can somehow make it last longer. If this raises your curiosity, read this article to know the details about waxing longevity, including “how long do waxing sessions last?

3. Prescription Creams

Many elements, including individual taste, go into determining the optimal cream. An underarm prescription-only hair removal cream may be best for those with thick, black, or coarse hair. Eflornithine(1), the primary ingredient in underarm creams, penetrates the hair follicles roots. There, it inhibits hair regrowth by inhibiting an enzyme involved in the process.

Prescription creams are applied twice daily in a thin layer to the affected regions, and results may take two to four months to appear. The effectiveness of prescription-only underarm hair removal creams goes beyond merely eliminating existing hair; it also slows new hair growth. It’s important to remember that these creams only work while you’re using them; they don’t permanently remove hair or “cure” excessive hair growth.

4. Non-prescription Hair Removal Creams

The shelves of drugstores are stocked with a wide variety of hair removal creams. When these lotions are applied to the skin, they attack the protein structure of hair follicles. Once you rub off the cream, the underarm hairs will come along.

What follows are some suggestions for optimizing the efficacy of armpit hair removal prescription and non-prescription creams:

  • It would be best not to use deodorant or antiperspirant on your underarms after shaving or waxing them. After treatment, your skin may be more sensitive for up to 24 hours.
  • After underarm hair removal, soothe and hydrate your skin with a fragrance- and dye-free cream or gel.

How To Remove Underarm Hair Permanently?

Are you wondering about how to remove underarm hair permanently? This method is for you.

1. Hair Laser Removal:

Is how to remove underarm hair without shaving something you’re interested in?

Underarm hair removal with a laser is a resounding success. For optimal outcomes, laser treatments should be performed on hair that is actively developing; this is because the laser device burns the entire hair shaft, weakening the hair follicle and causing it to separate from the shaft(2).

how to remove armpit hair home remedy

The use of hair laser removal procedure for removing underarm hair has various advantages, including the following:

  1. Eliminating hair permanently.
  2. Reduced body odor. 
  3. less dark underarm shadow.
  4. Get rid of the uneven coloring of your underarm skin.
  5. The freedom to wear skimpier tops.
  6. Helps lessen the occurrence of ingrown hairs.

Even so, if you’ve been asking, how to remove underarm hair without darkening? Laser hair removal is the answer. This method removes hair and follicles from under the skin of the armpits, making the area appear lighter.

2. Electrolysis:

Is the question how to remove underarm hair permanently? On your mind? Don’t let unattractive underarm hair prevent you from wearing tank tops this summer or showing off your toned arms. When it comes to getting rid of unsightly underarm hair, electrolysis is a treatment that works for anybody. All hair and skin tones can be used successfully.

hair removal tips

Two types of electrolysis therapy are available: the more common one and the more luxurious comfort electrolysis. Additionally, it can be used on the face, legs, and bikini line. Therefore, this makes it an excellent option for removing hair from several areas where it isn’t wanted. The question of how to remove underarm hair without shaving can be answered using electrolysis.

But did you know there are other, less invasive methods of eradicating underarm hair naturally? Here is what we discovered.

How Can I Remove Underarm Hair Naturally

Have you been wondering how to remove underarm hair naturally? Here are the techniques that you can apply at home.

A. Drinking spearmint tea:

The leaves of the Mentha spicata plant are used to make spearmint tea. The flowers on this plant are tiny and spikey, and they come in pink, white, and lavender colors. The leaves smell like a refreshing, minty candy. By reducing the number of sex hormones in the blood, which can cause hair growth(3), two cups of spearmint tea each day may aid ladies in getting rid of underarm hair.

waxing vs shaving

B. Haircut:

Haircuts are a common and convenient method of removing underarm hair. One uses a razor to remove excess hair from the skin to accomplish this. You can shave your underarms fast and efficiently, and the hair will stop growing for a while, but it will grow back within a few days at most.

C. The Use Of Sugar:

This is a simple way to remove underarm hair at home. Make a paste by combining one tablespoon of sugar with two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. The product should be applied to the underarms and spread evenly toward hair growth. After letting it sit for 10 minutes, wipe it off with a dumb cloth.

D. The Use Of Honey To Remove Underarm Hair:

Honey and lemon, while not as common for hair removal, have both been used historically as sources for bodily treatment. Honey can be an effective tool for removing unwanted hair when used consistently.

Honey and lemon juice should be combined first and thoroughly stirred. Put the concoction beneath your arms and let it sit there for 15 to 20 minutes. Use a cloth dipped in warm water to wipe it down, or rinse it with hot water. To dry the area, gently rub it. To permanently remove hair, repeat this procedure every 2 to 3 days a week or so for four weeks.

Bottom Line

Have you been wondering how to remove underarm hair? Removing armpit hair reduces odor and comfort while on sleeveless clothes. However, some techniques used to get rid of underarm hair may result in skin irritation and ingrown hair. In this article, we discussed proper methods to remove underarm hair, such as shaving towards hair growth patterns, prescription creams, laser hair removal, and electrolysis for permanent underarm hair removal. 

Nevertheless, there are simple remedies that can be applied at home for the removal of underarm hair, such as the use of spearmint tea and the use of sugar or Honey mixed with lemon juice. However, underarm hair removal is purely personal as no health benefit is associated with it; it is purely for personal hygiene and comfort.

FAQ

Is waxing better than shaving?

Waxing, unlike shaving, can slow underarm hair growth over time. When it comes to unwanted hair, shaving isn’t a permanent cure and can lead to nicks, bumps, and ingrown hairs.

Can I use scissors to cut armpit hair?

Keep your armpit hair short to avoid providing a breeding ground for odor-causing germs. Please take out the scissors or trimmer every few weeks and give it a good snip. Use a razor while in the shower to remove it, and have a clean shave.

Does shaving darken underarms?

When skin pigment cells develop at an abnormally high rate, dark patches may form under the arms. Repetitive hair removal might lead to this condition as overproduction of pigment cells can be caused by frequent underarm shaving.

Does trimming armpit hair reduce the smell?

When you sweat, your underarm hair absorbs that moisture, giving germs more time to develop the odors. If you want your deodorants to work well, shave your armpit hair.

  1. Balfour JA, McClellan K. Topical eflornithine. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2001;2(3):197-201; discussion 202. doi: 10.2165/00128071-200102030-00009. PMID: 11705097.

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11705097/
  2. American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2023). LASER HAIR REMOVAL: FAQS. (Online). Available at

    https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/hair-removal/laser-hair-removal-faqs
  3. Victoria. (2021). Hirsutism (excessive hair) - women. (Online). Available at

    https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/hirsutism-excessive-hair-women

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Venu agarwal

Venu is a Women’s Health & Lifestyle Specialist who has worked with women from all walks of life, offering women the most current and evidence-based guidance.

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