When it comes to body hair removal, the first thing that normally comes to mind is, men shaving their faces or women shaving their legs.
But times have changed and both women and men alike are resorting to removing body hair; not just from the legs, but also from the arms.
Significance
Hairy arms cause a lot of discomfort. Sweat tends to collect on them, especially in hot, humid climates, dirt and dust collects easily on them, and excessive arm hair can also cause some people to be self conscious.
Function
From a male stand point, shaving body hair is very prevalent in the body building world. This especially goes for the arms. The main function is to be able to see muscle definition as clearly as possible. The hair is removed from the armpits right on down to the fingers.
Females generally have finer hair on the arms and they can bleach it which makes it lighter in color, ultimately blending in with the skin. They also shave their underarms, especially when wearing revealing outfits.
Types
The most popular way to remove arm hair is shaving with a razor. This is usually done with a hand held razor and shaving cream, but electric razors can be used.
Depilatories are creams that are applied to the skin. They have active ingredients that dissolve the hair. They are applied and left on the skin for about 15 minutes, then wiped off.
Waxing is a process where hot wax is applied to the hair. A piece of cloth is then smoothed across the top and it is ripped off it sections.
Electrolysis is a process where an electrical signal is sent into the root of the hair follicle and it is shocked causing the hair to fall out. (See Resources for more details.)
Laser hair removal sends light waves into the melanin of the skin, which is what gives skin its color. This is also the site at which hair growth takes place. The skin gets heated without getting burned and the hair falls out.
Effects
The good thing about shaving arm hair is having smoother skin, a better appearance and more self confidence. Shaving can cause break outs and if left unshaved for a couple days, stubble will develop making the arms feel rough.
Considerations
Whenever shaving the arms, always use new, clean blades. This will be sure to cut down on break outs and stubble. It is also a good idea to use bendable razor blades. They follow the contour of the arms and are easier on the skin.
Most processes for arm hair removal can be done alone, but they still take a little while to perform. Be prepared to spend an extra 15 minutes removing the hair regardless of what procedure it is.
Expert Insight
Waxing hurts. There's no two ways around it. If this is the option of choice, be prepared to feel the pain. The process is also usually lengthy and the hair tends to grow back as quickly as 10 days after the procedure. See website for more educational information on hair removal.
