The Icky Truth: Shaving Can Increase Your Risk of Infection (You Know Where)

 

 

I asked Andrea Young, owner of Manhattan's Beam Laser Spa, to explain a bit more about the safety concerns of each hair removal method. She also clued me into why more women than ever are letting lasers be aimed at their lady parts (hint: because they're arguably the most permanent results-wise and least risky infection-wise).

While you might think laser treatments wold be most common for a less controversial area like the underarms or legs, "The most popular treatment at Beam has been the Brazilian bikini ever since we opened in 2007," Young told me. "Women have been moving away from shaving and waxing and usually never look back once they’ve tried a laser treatment." The laser also offers a few more perks: "Besides getting rid of or dramatically reducing ingrowns, the laser also improves the texture of the skin and can shrink pores over the course of many treatments," says Young.

The only caveat to laser hair removal? Price, which can be significant for some people, depending on your budget. And the fact that you do have to shave between laser treatments until the hair is gone (the entire hair and root must be intact to be treated by the laser, so waxing isn't allowed). Here's how to make your hair removal method, whatever it may be, as safe as possible: