Indian mothers have long been known to traditionally include an oil massage and even a gentle batna (scrub) in the bath routine of babies and small children. While the oil massage is supposed to promote good blood circulation and develop muscle tone, a regular batna is used to discourage hair growth on the body. While myths and arguments still abound around the scrub routine, many mums, encouraged by grannies, go ahead hoping there is some truth to this.

In their growing years, and as adults, it’s not just the young girls and ladies who want to get rid of the unwanted fuzz on various parts of the body. Given the fashion trends in recent years, hirsute men are not far behind in following suit. Think celebs like waxed chest, shirtless Salman Khan, and Shah Rukh Khan sporting the metrosexual look of the early 90s. All that waxing, shaving, depilating or laser treatments haven’t dented the macho image of Bollywood’s boys! From celebs on the silver screen to the guy on the street wanting to get rid of body hair to get that smooth look, the trend is certainly catching on. Maybe even those sexy K-Drama heroes with their naturally barbell-smooth hairless bodies are playing influencers in this interesting fashion scenario! While removing the hair from the chest and back has been common enough amongst all age groups, from a variety of professional backgrounds there’s a growing trend amongst men to sport the hairless body look. 

While the tyranny of keeping that body fuzz at bay can be one of the most tiresome beauty regimens temporary options such as depilating with hair removal creams, threading and waxing, which have long been part of one’s beauty routine, are steadily sharing space with more permanent/semi-permanent solutions for removing body hair such as laser treatment. Electrolysis is cited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Trusted Source as the only treatment that is permanent.

Traditional Fuzz-ridding Options

• Threading: It’s an option for areas, such as your eyebrows. Lasts up to 4 to 5 weeks. It’s not a good option for a large area.

• Shaving: Though it can remove the hair from the surface of the skin, leaving it smooth and bare, the results are short-term

• Waxing: Involves using hot wax on body hair to strip it off. It’s quite painful and can aggravate the skin. However, it’s still a popular option, though it’s a short-term gain. 

• Depilatory Creams: Over-the-counter, creams only offer temporary solutions. You need to be alert for any skin reactions. Check with your dermatologist for a recommendation.

Long-Term Options

Laser Hair Reduction 

While the jury is still out on whether laser hair removal treatments get rid of body hair permanently, it’s still considered a less painful technique than threading or waxing; it’s also a longer-lasting, comfortable solution. One of the most important things to remember while opting for a laser treatment is to make sure it’s being done by a professional and knowledgeable practitioner for a safe and long-lasting experience. Also, go for only the latest FDA-approved lasers which are painless. A colour-sensitive device, laser does not work on blonde, white, grey, or red hair. Diode laser treatment is recommended for both light and dark skin types; Alexandrite laser treatment covers larger body areas; the YAG laser treatment is a good option for hard hair in areas such as underarms, chin, eyebrows, sideburns or the bikini line.

The laser hair reduction treatment involves a fast and precise technique for reducing unwanted hair. As this lightning device is sensitive to colour, it is best suited for black, dark and thick hair. Keep in mind this is not a one-shot deal. You are required to undergo several sittings (up to 8-12 at least) regularly as prescribed by your practitioner for the laser hair reduction treatment. The actual procedure involves, after some preliminary checks for the parameters of the treatment, the area to be addressed is shaved off, cooled and then administered by the laser. This easy-to-use device can treat any part of the body. The beam of the laser light is emitted from the sapphire crystal window, which takes the heat away from the skin immediately. 

Laser Hair Removal

The beam of light from the laser is absorbed by the pigment in your hair. Over the weeks of treatment, it can destroy the hair follicle, so the hair cannot grow back. 

Electrolysis

This technique is considered the most effective way to get rid of excess hair. The method involves needles being used to send electrical currents to the hair follicles to destroy them. Since hair growth is cyclic, you require several sittings to get rid of hair permanently. Electrolysis can be done on any part of the body and works on any hair type, including light-coloured hair. However, always opt to get this done by a professional for the best results. 

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