Out of the many types of hair removal, armpit hair removal can be one of the most challenging. It grows in different directions, it's difficult to reach, and the hair is thick and coarse.
While armpit hair is a normal part of the body, there's no doubt that we remove armpit hair for the sake of confidence and appearance. If this is what you're looking for, fret not! We share with you the many options on how to remove armpit hair to give you that much needed confidence, even when you raise your arms.
8 Popular Armpit Hair Removal Methods To Try
1. IPL Hair Removal
Looking for how to remove unwanted hair permanently at home naturally? If yes, then IPL hair removal devices are the solution for you!
IPL stands for intense pulse light, which is exactly what's being used to remove armpit hair. IPL hair removal uses a broad-spectrum visible light to create heat that damages the hair follicle, leading to hair removal. The best part is that you can get an IPL hair removal device to use safely at home, which means you can use it whenever convenient!
Here are our recommended devices and the features it has to offer:
Silk'n Infinity 2.0
The Silk'n Infinity 2.0 uses HPL™ (Home Pulsed Light) technology that uses optical light energy to remove hair instead of the basic shave armpit hair method. This technology is FDA-approved, safe and effective for permanent hair removal.
It has an added galvanic energy that gently opens the pores to destroy deeply rooted, stubborn hair like underarm hair. Additionally, it can stimulate and tone your underarm skin thanks to its skin rejuvenation feature, that is the first for hair removal products market. This also makes it optimal for the skin to absorb any post-treatment lotion better!
Silk’n Infinity 2.0 hair removal device comes with five power settings, so you can customise your preferred treatment levels to your desired intensity and purpose, with each session lasting 10 minutes. Use Levels 1 to 3 for irritation-free hair removal, and Levels I and II for your facial skin rejuvenation.
Unlike many other hair removing devices, the Silk’n Infinity 2.0 is almost maintenance-free - you don’t need to replace the device cartridge as it can provide 400,000 flash times, equivalent to a lifetime of hair removal treatments. All in all, you can be assured of safety, pain-free plus hassle-free permanent hair removal at home with this one compact device!
Silk'n Jewel
The Silk'n Jewel is the ideal compact hair removal device that's perfect for those who are always on the go. Using HPL technology, all you need to do is touch and glide the device across the skin where you want to remove hair. This gentle and effective device makes it perfect to use even for sensitive areas such as the armpit!
This portable home IPL hair removal device is well known for producing long term and immediate results as long as used correctly. It also comes with adjustable energy levels that can treat a wide range of skin types and hair colours, so it's safe to use no matter the colour of your skin. This is because the device emits light to zap away the hair only when it’s close to the skin.
On top of that, you don’t have to worry about replacing any refill cartridge as it is good for 400,000 flashes, which is enough to give you lifelong hair removal results!
Silk'n Flash&Go Pro
The Silk'n Flash&Go Pro is all about being effortless and ergonomic thanks to its special design and features. It comes with a touch & glide, triggerless feature that makes your hair removal easy and safe to be done at home for every part of your body.
It even comes with two modes of operation that can help you target hair in specific areas of your body, both big and small! One is the touch mode/spot treatment that's perfect for small areas such as the upper lip and bikini lines, as well as the much needed armpit hair. If you want arm hair removal or other larger areas such as the thighs, and legs, there's the continuous gliding mode.
The built-in skin sensor ensures safe operation, as it will only activate upon skin contact and will instinctively reduce the energy levels upon detecting darker skin tones. No need to fuss about refill cartridges for this hair removal device, since it provides up to 450,000 - 500,000 flashes, enough to last for lifetime usage!
2. Shaving
The most common armpit hair removal is shaving, as it's quick, cheap, and easy to just shave armpit hair. All you need to do is make your skin taut then glide a razor against your skin to cut off the hair!
However, it does require a lot more maintenance as shaving armpit hair merely cuts the hair on the surface of the underarm skin. As shaving your armpits doesn't remove the hair from the root, this means the armpit hairs will grow back within a day or two.
As you shave your armpits, it will also feel a lot more thick and coarse in comparison to the other underarm hair removal methods (don't expect the smoothest shave), and lead to other skin issues such as ingrown hairs, razor bumps and rashes.
To shave your underarm hair safely, you will need to invest in a high-quality razor, razor blades and shaving cream or shaving gel for a smooth shave. Exfoliating your underarm to remove dead skin cells also help to an extent.
If you have sensitive skin, consider getting a single-blade razor instead to shave armpit hair. This will lead to less nicks and cuts as you razor glide on your underarm area, and even reduces the possibility of razor bumps, shaving rash and inflammation appearing on the skin of your armpit.
3. Waxing
If you yearn for that soft, smooth hairless skin sensation for your underarms, waxing is the solution you're looking for compared to underarm shaving. It works for all skin types and when done often, it can reduce underarm hair and make it more manageable as it pulls the hair out from the roots.
There's a catch to this, of course. Waxing armpits is painful especially for sensitive skin, and it's not a permanent hair removal solution. Plus, in order for the waxing to be effectively done, you will need to let the hair growth for at least a quarter of an inch long. That may not be ideal if you want to minimise the appearance of unwanted underarm hair as much as possible.
4. Plucking
Other than waxing, you can also try plucking out the hair in your underarms using tweezers to remove body hair. It's a lot more effort and still pretty painful, but at least you don't have to wait for your armpit hair to grow out.
With that said, you should clean the tweezers for hygienic purposes. You will also want to pull the hair in the direction of its growth to prevent breakage and further underarm skin irritation.
5. Threading
Threading uses a special string to pull out and remove unwanted hair from the skin. Done correctly, it can remove the hair from its roots. But this is why it requires a professional to do the armpit hair removal task, and not something you can do at home like how to tightening face skin with face lifting machine for home use.
While threading is more commonly used for eyebrows and upper lips, there's been a rise in it being used for underarm hair. Done well, it takes over a month for hair growth to occur, plus it's a lot more hygienic as the thread is often thrown away once it's been used.
6. Depilatory cream
If you're looking for another painless method to remove underarm hair, then you can check out depilatory creams. These creams work by dissolving and breaking down the hair on your skin when applied.
Because it depends on chemicals to break down the hair, this leads to the possibility of some bad skin reactions. This includes redness, irritation, itching, and even burns and blisters.
So if you have sensitive skin, you may want to test out a small patch before applying it fully, or just skip this altogether for your skin care benefit, especially when you are using anti aging skin care products at the same time. This isn’t a permanent armpit hair removal solution either, so expect hair growth to occur after a few days of using this.
7. Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal works similarly to IPL hair removal, except it uses lasers to identify hair follicles and zap it off, making them perfect for underarm hair removal. These are a lot more powerful than IPL, which uses a milder version of light therapy, so it's recommended to get any form of laser hair removal done at a certified salon for better safety purposes.
With that said, armpit laser hair removal is pretty expensive as you will need to do it a number of times for it to be effective. It's also not recommended for those with medium and dark skin as those with this skin tone are at higher risk of their skins getting burnt from the treatment.
8. Electrolysis
Another permanent solution to consider is Electrolysis. It uses electric current to destroy the root of the hair, permanently removing it. This makes it ideal for those wanting to remove thick or coarse hair, which is why it's perfect for underarm hair.
However, it's one of the most time-consuming out of all these options as it works by targeting one strand at a time. So you will need to have multiple armpit hair removal sessions which will also add up to the cost.
Maintaining A Clean Armpit After Underarm Hair Removal
Removing body hair at your underarm areas is one thing; maintaining a clean armpit is another important ritual. Here are some simple armpit hair removal tips for maintaining clean armpits after removing underarm hairs:
- Shower daily with warm water and a mild soap to wash away odor-causing bacteria (this is why underarm odor occurs) and armpit odor
- Wear natural fibers and avoid tight clothes to allow your skin to breathe and reduce sweating, which will help reduce strong body odor
- Use an antiperspirant or natural deodorant to control underarm odor and sweat
- Exfoliate your underarms once or twice a week to remove dead skin cells and prevent ingrown hairs
- Consider using natural remedies like apple cider vinegar, lemon juice or tea tree oil to help cleanse and deodorize your underarms
- Shave your underarms regularly with a moisturizing cleanser or shave gel to prevent irritation and razor burn (best yet, just get a Silk'n hair removal device for a more effective and permanent underarm hair removal!)
FAQs on How To Remove Armpit Hair
What are the different methods for armpit hair removal?
There are several methods for armpit hair removal, including shaving, waxing, sugaring, laser hair removal, epilation, hair removal creams, and using an electric trimmer. Each method has its pros and cons, so it's important to choose the one that suits your preferences and skin sensitivity.
What is the best way to remove armpit hair?
The best way to remove armpit hair that is both painless and permanent in the long run is by using home IPL hair removal devices. They're a great investment for armpit hair removal in the long run, as you can use them in the comfort of your home for as long as necessary until you get the results that you want.
For example, the Silk'n Infinity 2.0, the Silk'n Jewel, and even the Silk'n Flash&Go Pro do not require refill cartridges and can produce anywhere from 400,000-500,000 flashes which is more than enough if you're targeting not just your armpit hair, but also other parts of your body you'd like to remove hair from.
Is it good to remove hair from armpit?
It's good to remove hair from armpit as it can help reduce sweat oozing from your sweat glands from being trapped in your underarms. This is because hair holds on to moisture and smells, so a clean armpit is always ideal.
Having hairless underarms also makes it easier for skin cleansing products like soap to absorb into the skin better too, leading to less body odor. This was revealed in a 2016 study where they found that man armpit hair that has been shaved leads to less axillary odour!
How can I remove my underarm hair permanently at home?
You can remove underarm hair permanently at home by using IPL hair removal devices. These beauty devices can not only be used safely at home thanks to its many safety features and certification, they also offer permanent underarm hair removal solutions using IPL technology that targets hair right down to the root.
Read more about: IPL Hair Removal Malaysia
Is waxing better than shaving armpit hair?
Waxing is better than shaving if you want to remove hair for much longer. While hair growth is to be expected, it would take weeks before it occurs and the hair would be softer and finer in comparison to shaving for armpit hair removal. With that said, waxing is pretty painful and can still lead to issues like skin irritation and burns if the wax is too hot, which is why we still recommend IPL hair removal devices as the best long-term solution.
Does shaving darken underarms?
Yes, shaving can darken underarms if done too often. There are many ways you can prevent this dark underarms condition if you prefer shaving. You can try exfoliating your underarms before shaving, using a high quality razor, and applying a lotion or moisturiser after shaving.
However, if your underarm has already become dark and you’re looking for ways to have lighter underarms while also removing underarm hair, you can use an IPL hair removal device such as the Silk’n Infinity 2.0.
It comes with a Skin Rejuvenation mode that can help brighten your armpit skin while also removing the hair, allowing you to enjoy the reap both beauty benefits with one of the most unique skin care tools that can improve your dark armpits skin conditions while getting rid of unwanted hair!
How to Get Rid Of Armpit Hair Permanently And Safely Like A Boss, Answered!
With so many options to remove armpit hair, it’s good to choose one that is painless, permanent, and safe. You can get all this with IPL hair removal devices, as long as you choose the right device that comes with proper certification and approval for you to use safely at home.
Plus these devices come with extra features that not only lead to permanent hair removal, they can also help as a skin care tool that can rejuvenate the skin in many ways.
If you’re looking for the best IPL hair removal devices, you can find them here at BeautyFoo Mall! We are proud to provide the best skincare tools to help you achieve the best hair removal and skin care. We're also honoured to be the only Malaysia authorised distributor for top beauty device brands like Cellreturn, DPC and Dualsonic from Korea, and also Artistic & Co. and Belega from Japan, Silk'n plus more!