Bald by choice: from prosaic to exotic, 10 possible ways to a hairless body - Appearance

Men's Fitness, Sept, 2002 by Dennis Nishi

Body hair--whether excessive, patchy or ill-placed (What the helps that growin' out of your ear, Boyd?)--can be the bane of the male, especially the fit male. It's not only unsightly--particularly when she mistakes it for a sweater--it also can be a refuge for odor-causing bacteria, and can obscure the ripples of muscle you've sweated so hard for in the gym. And if you suffer a spill on the roadway when out cycling, the hair on your legs increases your chances of infection following a serious abrasion. Fortunately, science is on your side--if you don't mind a little pain.

Hair-removal options proliferate as we speak, the most popular of them listed below. But before plowing into deforestation mode, consider this: Whether you want to pursue the latest approach--intense pulsed light (IPL, for short)--or in deference to your Benjamin Franklin-inspired frugality you opt for good old-fashioned shaving, just be sure to consult with a dermatologist to determine which procedure is best for tackling large areas of your skin.

SHAVING

As barbaric as it may seem--that is, dragging sharpened steel across your hide--this is the truest time-tested method of all, a process common to virtually every man on earth. While it can be done anywhere, anytime and very cheaply, it's best to use some sort of shaving cream, water and sharp-edged implement. Jerome Litt, M.D., author of Your Skin From A to Z, recommends washing the soon-to-be-bare area first to soften the hair, and then shaving in the direction of the grain--as opposed to against it--to prevent ingrown hairs and subsequent infection.

Pros: Cheap, convenient, noninvasive and nontoxic.

Cons: Very short-term; razor burn, nicked skin.

Cost: $3-$5

Tip: Lightly buff shaved areas with a dry washcloth the day after to prevent a breakout of itchy red bumps.

WAXING

Women have been waxing for years, so the pain shouldn't deter real men. It works like this: Hot wax is applied to the skin, left to cool (a process that allows the body hairs to be gripped firmly), then r-r-r-ipped off--along with your hair. Yeah, baby! It's fast, efficient and achieves long-term results (four to six weeks).

Pros: Quick and cheap; lasts longer than shaving.

Cons: Painful; acne breakouts and rashes may occur.

Cost: Home kit $15; salon $35

Tip: Take some ibuprofen an hour before you wax to take the edge off.

ELECTROLYSIS

An expensive and often painful procedure, it involves inserting a needle directly into the hair follicle to electrocute the root. Electrolysis can take months to complete--there's only so much zapping your hair roots can take at a single sitting--but, predictably, the American Electrology Association claims it's the most effective way to remove hair. Look for a certified electrologist, since scarring can result from putting yourself in the wrong hands. Avoid battery-powered home kits, unless you're going for that rugged, pitted look.

Pros: Permanent.

Cons: Painful, expensive and time-consuming.

Cost: $90-$110 an hour (The full cost depends on the extent of the overcoat you need to eliminate.)

Tip: Prepare yourself for a long, painful haul.

LASER HAIR REMOVAL

Lasers destroy hair follicles by targeting the melanin that resides within. Laser light is attracted to dark colors, so dark-haired people with light skin will see the best results. Additional maintenance visits may be required. Make sure the procedure is performed by a board-certified doctor--improper treatment can result in discoloration of the skin ("Hey, Boyd, that's the largest mole I've ever seen!") and/or burns and scarring. Nevertheless, most states do not require laser operators to have an M.D.

Pros: Effective; faster and less painful than electrolysis; virtually permanent.

Cons: Expensive; doesn't work well with all skin and hair types.

Cost: $250-$500 per treatment (Again, the size of your follicular area will determine the total cost.)

Tip: Don't skimp--pay for a doctor.

INTENSE PULSED LIGHT

This next generation of technology promises better results than lasers by using concentrated bursts of light. Because the light is "polychromatic"--that's "wide-spectrum" to the rest of us--as well as multidirectional, manufacturers claim it is suitable for a wide range of skin types and hair colors.

Pros: Effective; faster and more precise than lasers; near permanent.

Cons: Very expensive.

Cost: $1,000-$2,000 per treatment

Tip: If you have to mortgage the house to denude your body, better you just shave.

CHEMICAL DEPILATORIES

If you can't stand the thought of yanking your hair out by the roots (wimp!), depilatory creams and foams offer a slower burn, literally. Hair-removal creams are composed of acids that actually dissolve hair just below the surface. But the strong chemicals can irritate skin, especially if you leave the stuff on too long, so try the product on a small, less-visible patch of hair first. Depilatory makers have recently begun targeting men.

Pros: Quick, easy and cheap; not painful like waxing.

Cons: Unpleasant odor to some; may cause skin irritation.

Cost: $5