Underarm Hair Removal: 3 Benefits You Need to Know! Razor vs. Hair Removal Cream: Which Lasts Longer?

For beauty-conscious women, underarm hair is definitely the number one enemy!

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Why Underarm Hair Removal Matters

Underarm hair removal is often the first step for women when it comes to grooming. The reason is simple — long or thick underarm hair can seriously affect your appearance, and some outfits just don’t look as good with visible hair. While it might seem like a straightforward task, there are actually many different methods and tools to choose from. So, which one is the best? Let’s find out!

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Why Some Women Have More Underarm Hair

Underarm hair, like any other body hair, protects the skin. However, some women find their hair grows thicker, darker, and faster, which can be frustrating. Here are three main reasons:

1. Genetics

Hair thickness and density are heavily influenced by genetics. If your parents have thick body hair, chances are you might inherit the same traits, leading to more noticeable underarm hair.

2. Excess Androgens

Androgens (male hormones) exist in both men and women, but men naturally produce more. If a woman experiences hormonal imbalances that increase androgen levels, she may notice more hair growth not only under the arms but also on the face, chin, chest, lower abdomen, and thighs.

3. Frequent Shaving

Shaving is still a common choice for many women because it’s quick and convenient. However, frequent shaving can make new hair appear thicker and denser over time. This is why constant shaving might actually make the problem worse.

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3 Benefits of Underarm Hair Removal

1. Improves Appearance

A neat and clean look makes a great impression. In summer, when clothing is lighter, visible underarm hair can make you look less polished.

2. Reduces Odor

Underarm hair can trap sweat, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and unpleasant smells. Removing the hair helps you stay fresh and confident, especially during hot summer days.

3. More Fashion Choices

Tank tops, sleeveless dresses, short skirts — all these outfits look better when underarm hair isn’t peeking out, making you feel more comfortable lifting your arms without worry.

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DIY Underarm Hair Removal Tips

1. Exfoliate First

Like the rest of your body, your underarms can accumulate dead skin cells and dirt. Use a gentle scrub to remove them — this keeps pores clear and makes hair removal easier and safer.

How to do it:

• Wash the area with warm water
• Apply a warm towel for a few minutes to soften the skin
• Gently massage a mild, underarm-friendly scrub, then rinse off

2. Use a Specialized Underarm Razor

The skin here is delicate — avoid cheap disposable razors without protective features, as they can easily cause cuts, folliculitis, or irritation. Quality underarm razors often have protective blades and moisturizing strips to reduce damage.

3. Do It at Night

Your skin needs time to recover after hair removal. Nighttime is best because your skin can rest and heal overnight. Warm showers also help soften the hair and open pores, reducing the risk of irritation.

4. Shave in Multiple Directions

Underarm hair grows in different directions, so shaving only top-to-bottom won’t remove everything. Shave in multiple directions for a smoother result.

5. Replace Your Razor Regularly

Don’t use the same razor for months — dull or rusty blades can cause irritation, infection, and uneven shaving. Replace after several uses.

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Aftercare for Smooth, Healthy Skin

1. Use Alcohol-Free Skincare

Right after hair removal, your skin is extra sensitive. Avoid products with alcohol or harsh chemicals. For soothing, try an ice-cold towel compress followed by aloe vera gel.

2. Keep Skin Hydrated

Without hair, your underarm skin is more prone to dryness. Apply a light moisturizer or repair cream to keep it soft and comfortable.

3. Avoid Sun Exposure

While underarms are rarely directly exposed to sunlight, heavy sweating in summer can still trigger pigmentation. Protect your skin from UV rays to prevent darkening.

4. Skip Scrubs and Whitening Products

Avoid exfoliating or applying whitening treatments immediately after hair removal — your skin needs time to recover and stay irritation-free.

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Comparing Popular Underarm Hair-Removal Methods

Removing underarm hair is a lifelong quest for many women. Most of you have probably tried DIY methods at home, but with so many options out there, which one is actually the best? Most common methods only deliver temporary results — below is a comparison of the different underarm hair-removal options you’ll find on the market:

Method 1 — Shaving (razor)

Shaving is one of the most common and lowest-cost methods. Disposable razors are everywhere — pop into any drugstore and you’ll find them. It’s simple: a few quick strokes and the hair is gone at the surface.

Downsides: The results are very short-lived (hair usually regrows in 3–4 days). Repeated shaving can make pores appear larger and may give the impression that hair is growing back coarser. Long-term frequent shaving also increases the risk of ingrown hairs, underarm pimples and pigmentation.

Method 2 — Depilatory Creams

There are many depilatory creams specially formulated for underarms; they’re gentler on delicate underarm skin and can be used during a shower for convenience. Apply evenly before showering, leave 5–10 minutes, then wipe or scrape off with the included spatula — the hair comes away with the cream.

How it works & downsides: Most underarm creams contain chemicals that break down hair structure so it snaps off. The effect isn’t permanent — hair typically returns in about a week. Overuse or sensitivity to the chemicals can cause skin irritation and ingrown hairs.

Method 3 — Waxing

Waxing removes hair from the root. Melted wax is spread on the underarm, a strip is applied, and once the wax hardens the strip is ripped off — hair and root come away together.

Pros & cons: Waxing lasts much longer than shaving or creams — roughly a month — but it’s painful for many people and can be intense enough to bring tears to your eyes. Not everyone can tolerate it.

Method 4 — IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

Before laser became widespread, IPL was a very popular underarm hair-removal option. IPL is a gentler light-based treatment that uses heat to penetrate the follicle and damage the hair’s ability to grow. Because IPL covers a wider spectrum of wavelengths, it can also improve skin tone and reduce pigmentation.

Limitations: IPL’s energy is more dispersed and less focused on deep follicle melanin, so it typically requires more sessions than laser to achieve long-lasting results.

Method 5 — Laser Hair Removal

So far, laser hair removal is the most popular and effective method for underarms. It uses highly concentrated laser energy that penetrates deep into the skin to target and destroy melanin in hair follicles, shutting down their ability to grow. Generally, 6–8 sessions are needed to achieve permanent underarm hair reduction.

Why it’s preferred: Laser is precise and can permanently reduce underarm hair without harming surrounding skin — which is why it’s currently the top choice for many people.

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Editor’s Test: Does Underarm Laser Really Work? My Experience with Perfect Medical’s A3 Treatment

I’ve been a “hairy kid” my whole life — especially underarms. I used depilatory cream for years, but after one mortifying summer incident when I forgot to remove hair and a friend noticed, I decided to go for a permanent fix: Perfect Medical’s A3 Laser Hair Removal Treatment.

Why I chose A3: The treatment uses an 808 nm wavelength that’s suited to Asian skin. The 10 × 10 mm handpiece can remove up to 500 hairs per second, giving broad, even coverage. The device also features a proprietary cooling system so the treatment is safe and virtually pain-free.

Before the session, the therapist performed a skin test to check for sensitivity. During the treatment I felt a light snapping sensation — like a rubber band — but it was totally bearable. Afterwards my underarms were slightly red, which is normal and cleared up within a few hours.

Although I’d only had one session at the time of writing, I noticed hair was growing back much more slowly, and the new hairs were clearly finer. I’m confident that a few more sessions will get rid of the hair completely.

If you’re like me and tired of DIY methods that only make hair seem coarser, consider booking a professional session — you might be surprised how effective it is. Click the link below to register and try a session for yourself!