If you’re looking to get rid of unwanted body hair, the removal method that’s best for you depends on several factors, like what body part you’re treating and your goals, skin type, and budget.
But first remember: It’s completely normal and healthy to have hair on most body parts. It offers protection from heat and cold, helps regulate body temperature, and allows the scents of pheromones to linger, which plays a role in social interactions.
Also know that excess hair, especially if it’s a new thing for you, may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women (a hormonal disorder).
It can also be a sign of metabolic syndrome, says Mary Lupo, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and adjunct professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. See your doctor if, along with excess hair growth, you have additional symptoms, such as irregular periods, abdominal weight gain, and acne (which are other signs of PCOS).
In other cases, having a lot of hair runs in families, she says.
If there’s something else going on, getting diagnosed and treated is important, Dr. Lupo says — these can be serious health conditions. “And any hair removal procedure you do will be less effective than if the underlying cause is addressed,” she says.
When it comes to choosing the right hair removal method for you, here’s what to keep in mind.
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