Is Shaving Better Than Using a Hair Removal Cream? (2024)

Unwanted hair, legitimately, everywhere. Haven’t we evolved far enough to have this hair cease its growth in the areas we are constantly removing it from? Ladies, you know you have been in this situation before—a sudden, unexpected change in temperature results in weather calling for shorts rather than pants, but you haven’t shaved. So, you sweat it out in pants on a perfect hot and sunny day because you wouldn’t dare to put on shorts with hairy legs!

Hair removal via shaving (even with the best razor for women available on the market), hair removal creams, waxing, or laser treatments are all a constant process and create a huge industry that both women and men invest in. At the end of the day, whatever the best, most cost-effective method is that will keep the unwanted hair at bay so we can get on with our lives is the one we want to choose.

What Are the Benefits of Hair Removal Creams?

There are so many different formulations of these popular creams, making them widely available and useful to many skin types. Whether you have sensitive skin, enjoy a lingering fragrance, or prefer foam to cream, you will be able to find a great hair removal product that works specifically for your needs and preferences.

Time is precious, and there is no doubt you could use a bit extra in your day. Certainly, there are more fun or important things you could be doing with your time that don’t include bending in awkward positions or straining your back to get down low enough for a complete shave. And how could you not be more stoked about hair that grows back thinner than it was when you removed it!?

Not only can hair removal creams make your hair much finer when it grows back, but the removal will last much longer than using a traditional razor. While shaving cuts the hair strand close to the skin, hair removal creams will dissolve the strand. It takes much longer to re-grow a new strand than it does to just continue growing up from where a cut took place. You can look forward to anywhere from three days to a full week before you need to re-apply.

If you are already lotioning your body up after a shower to attain hydrated skin, you can easily lotion your legs up and let the cream do its magic while you do something else—maybe brushing your teeth? Double and triple tasking can do wonders for your schedule.

The most common question regarding hair removal creams is their safety. In general, these are safe to use; however, if your skin is more sensitive and prone to irritation, make sure you buy products that are made for your skin type. Of course, if you have a bad rash, an open wound, or something that is making your skin angry, you may want to avoid adding chemicals to the mix until the irritation dies down.

What Are the Cons of Hair Removal Creams?

Because they are a mix of chemicals designed to literally degrade your hair, these formulas are strong. It’s probably best to give yourself a couple days’ break after two to three back-to-back rounds of use. Burning sensations are common with these creams, and you don’t want to take the risk because the burns are very uncomfortable. The pain can last from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks, so moderation is helpful. If you do experience a burning sensation, get a cold, damp cloth and quickly wipe off the cream. Gently pat dry with a different cloth, and then add a layer of antibacterial cream. If the situation worsens, consult your doctor.

Other concerns with using these creams would be that they may not be the best for sensitive pubic hair removal or removal of hair on the face, which is another sensitive area. These creams are best used on longer hairs over stubble, and unfortunately, they come with a strong and unpleasant chemical odor. Finally, if you’re pregnant, it is advisable that you consult your OBGYN before use.

What Are the Benefits of Shaving?

First and foremost is that shaving doesn’t pose any health risks, so pregnant women and those with sensitive skin can shave without worrying the way those who are using chemicals to remove hair may have to. The other easy benefit is the budget. While hair removal creams will give you a longer-lasting result, you can find razors in a variety of prices. Disposable razors may give you a couple of really great shaves before you are onto the next one, but a bag of these won’t hurt your wallet. Hair removal creams are much more expensive per ounce than some budget-friendly razors are per unit.

Unless you nick yourself, which most people do only rarely with time, shaving with a razor is painless. If you don’t use enough soap or shaving cream, you can end up with irritated skin, but with enough lather, you shouldn’t have a problem. You also don’t have to take breaks between shaves as you do with chemical creams. You can shave every time you want and get a clean cut.

Another thing to think about is that you can find a razor literally everywhere. No country in the world doesn’t have some sort of shaving device, but they may not offer hair removal creams. Men need smooth hair-free surfaces, but they can get away with stubble almost anywhere on their bodies; women aren't so lucky and need to have specific areas smooth and hair-free at all times. For this reason, shaving is a huge plus for women.

What Are the Cons of Shaving?

There are a couple of cons, including that razor shaves don’t typically last long. In as little as two to three days, most people start to get stubble. Razor bumps and itchiness are also possible if you aren’t using the right lather or if your skin is particularly delicate. Inexperienced shavers may experience cuts and nicks that will bleed, and ingrown hairs form the distribution of bacteria over open skin are more likely.

You can get a quality razor that will last you for quite some time or a bag full of disposable razors at a cost that certainly won’t hit your wallet hard.

Given the comparison, the choice is yours!

Resources—Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)