Removing body hair for men, explained | Philips (2024)

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Removing body hair for men, explained | Philips (1)

In today's world, personal grooming is not just limited to women. Men are increasingly embracing the concept of self-care, taking pride in their appearance and making conscious choices regarding their grooming routine. One aspect of male grooming that has seen an increase in popularity is long-term or long lasting hair removal for men, with an increasing number of men using IPL devices at home to remove body hair.1 After all, why can’t everyone enjoy a bit of self-care and grooming?


In this article, we'll explore best ways to remove body hair for males, compare different approaches such as laser, IPL for men, and waxing, and compare the benefits of using IPL against waxing and laser.

Understanding general male grooming needs

Everyone has their own style when it comes to taking care of their appearance. Whether it's the trend of maintaining a carefully groomed beard or the smooth, bare-chested look, men are investing more time and effort into their grooming routines. Some prefer to keep things neat and trimmed, but regardless of personal style, everyone agrees that long-lasting results are the goal. Hence, long-lasting hair removal for men is gaining popularity.

But before we take a look at how to remove body hair for males, understanding why men are opting for more permanent hair removal might just give us better insight into the right kind of tools to use.

Why do men opt for more permanent hair removal?

Here a few of the benefits of removing body hair for men:

  • It saves time. Using IPL negates the need for daily shaving routines and frequent trips to the waxing salon, thereby saving significant time in the long run. Treatment duration is also usually shorter than laser.2
  • It looks good! This method ensures a clean and well-groomed look without the daily upkeep, freeing up time for other activities.
  • No more razor burn. IPL hair removal, for men tired of the common side-effects of regular shaving such as skin irritation and abrasion, could be a game-changing alternative.2

Exploring different methods: laser and waxing

When considering removing body hair for men, there are several options. These include laser hair removal, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) therapy, and waxing. Each one of these methods, including IPL hair removal for men, comes with its very own unique set of benefits and drawbacks.

Each individual has their own personal grooming needs suited to them. Explore these long-lasting hair removal methods, their advantages and disadvantages and find the one perfect for you!

Waxing

Benefits:

  • Immediate results. Waxing removes hair immediately, offering quick results.
  • Long-Lasting. Waxing results in a slower regrowth period than shaving or depilation cream.
  • Exfoliating. Waxing also exfoliates the skin, removing dead skin cells and leaving the skin smoother.
  • Applicable everywhere. Can be done on most parts of the body.

Drawbacks:

  • Painful. Waxing is often described as painful, especially in more sensitive areas.
  • Risk of infections. If not done correctly, waxing can cause skin infections and ingrown hairs.
  • Temporary. Hair will grow back, usually within a few weeks.
  • Irritation and allergy. It can cause skin irritation, redness, and swelling, and some people might have an allergic reaction to the wax.2,3

Laser Hair Removal

Benefits:

  • Longer lasting results. Laser hair removal offers a longer lasting reduction in hair growth. After several sessions, many men see a significant decrease in hair.
  • Precise. The laser targets hair right down to the follicle, making it a precise form of hair removal.
  • Fast: Each laser pulse takes a fraction of a second and can target multiple hairs at the same time.
  • Cost effective in the long run: While the upfront cost can be high, over time it may be more cost effective than repetitive waxing or shaving.

Drawbacks:

  • Expensive. The upfront cost for laser hair removal is high compared to other methods.
  • Multiple sessions required. It usually requires multiple sessions to achieve the desired results.
  • Potential side effects. Side effects can include skin irritation, pigment changes, and burns.
  • Not for all skin and hair types. Just like IPL, laser hair removal might not be as effective on darker skin tones or lighter hair colours. It works best on a contrast between skin and hair colour.2,4

See more below ↓

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The benefits of IPL vs. laser and waxing

While laser hair removal has long been considered the gold standard, IPL technology has emerged as a formidable alternative. IPL for men utilises broad-spectrum light to target and disable hair follicles. This approach, similar to laser technology, offers several advantages over laser and waxing, making it one of the best ways to remove body hair for males. For those who want to look their best, IPL for men is a strong option.

  • Versatility and precision. IPL devices – like the Philips Lumea with SkinAI - can be adjusted to target different skin tones and hair colours, making them suitable for a wide range of people. Additionally, IPL technology allows for precise targeting, reducing the risk of skin damage and providing more effective results.
  • Cost-effectiveness. Compared to laser treatments, IPL is often more affordable, making it accessible to a larger demographic. Men can achieve longer-lasting hair reduction without breaking the bank. And did you know with Philips’ , you can complete flexibility over how you pay for Lumea? Pay in instalments, choose to pay it off in one go, or simply cancel the programme and return it within 12 months – and we’ll refurbish the device for a new life.
  • Convenience and comfort. IPL devices are designed with user comfort in mind. With their large treatment windows, they can cover larger areas efficiently, reducing the overall treatment time. IPL treatments are also gentle, with only mild sensations similar to a gentle flick on the skin. You can even use IPL devices in the comfort of your own home, whenever you like.
  • Minimal downtime. Unlike some laser treatments that may require downtime for skin recovery, IPL treatments usually have minimal to no downtime. Men can resume their regular activities immediately after the procedure.

Try a refurbished IPL device from Philips

As well as its many grooming benefits, choosing IPL for long lasting hair removal for men offers other, more unique benefits. Buying a refurbished IPL device like the Lumea from Philips, for example, means you’re buying a device that has successfully been diverted from waste. Refurbishment gives products a second chance and not only that, they’re cheaper for you, too! What’s not to love?

Not only do refurbishment specialists test the quality and performance of every returned personal care device to ensure they meet the quality you expect from Philips, but you get the same 2-year world-wide warranty every customer gets. It’s the same quality, the same customer service and the same peace of mind.

Read more about some of our other sustainability initiatives to find out how we’re doing our bit, like joining forces with suppliers and recyclers to make our products and packaging with more recycled materials. And by reducing the use of chemicals like PCV and BFR in our products, we’re making them easier to recycle, too.

That’s long-lasting hair removal for men sorted

Male grooming has come a long way and as we have seen, when it comes to removing hair from the body, males have an increasing number of options. It’s no wonder men are now embracing longer-lasting hair removal methods to achieve a well-groomed, hassle-free lifestyle. Among the various methods available, IPL stands out as a versatile, cost-effective, long-term solution. For those that want to look their best, IPL for men can help achieve effortless hair removal.

1 Dataintelo, ‘Global IPL Hair Removal Market, By Type (201-400 USD, 100-200 USD, Others), By Application (Female Consumers, Male Consumers) And By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa), Forecast From 2023 To 2031’

2 Kang CN, Shah M, Lynde C, Fleming P. Hair Removal Practices: A Literature Review. Skin Therapy Lett. 2021 Sep;26(5):6-11. PMID: 34524781.

3 Khanna N, Chandramohan K, Khaitan BK, Singh MK. Post waxing folliculitis: a clinicopathological evaluation. Int J Dermatol. 2014 Jul;53(7):849-54.

4 NHS, Laser hair removal, https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/non-surgical-cosmetic-procedures/laser-hair-removal/

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Removing body hair for men, explained | Philips (2024)
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