Hair removal isn’t just about the look and feel of smooth, fuzz-free skin. It can also have a very practical application for professional sportspeople.
For some athletes, laser hair removal full body cost outweighs the hassle of temporary fixes. For others, waxing or shaving allows hair to regrow during down periods between tournaments or competitions. It’s all about your personal preferences.
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Why do Athletes Remove Body Hair?
There are many reasons why it makes sense for athletes to remove their body hair. Particularly for certain types of sports where skin is on show. For example, cyclists, water polo players, and track stars are well known to prefer to keep their skin hair-free when competing. Here are some of the main motivations for hair removal among serious athletes.
Comfort during training and competitions
Especially in endurance races and long periods of training, excess body hair can get in the way. Equipment may snag on long arm or leg hair, and sports wear can chafe more when in contact with hair.
Easy access for sports treatments
After training and competitions, the work doesn’t stop there. Treatments such as massages and therapies are essential in keeping the athlete's body in tip-top condition and also aiding recovery. For example, a sports massage can be more intense on smooth skin.
Also, taping for injuries is difficult to do when there is body hair in the way. Not only does hair reduce the tape's stickiness, but when the tape is finally pulled away, it can be painful. Much like getting an unintentional wax.
Performance and aerodynamics
For speed-focused athletes, hair can add crucial time to their performance. Body hair reduces the aerodynamics of an athlete, which may slow them down. Surprisingly, removing body hair can shave seconds off a personal best.
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Personal hygiene
Just like the clothes we wear hold onto sweat, so can our body hair. When sweat stays trapped in areas such as the underarms, bacteria grow, causing odour and affecting confidence. Some athletes remove body hair purely for this reason, as trapped sweat can feel damp and uncomfortable.
Different Types of Hair Removal Suitable for Athletes
Fortunately for athletes, there are many ways to remove unwanted hair. These are the most common types of hair removal that sportspeople tend to go for.
Shaving
A temporary measure carried out before a race or competition. Shaving needs to be done every day during a tournament to ensure the smoothest result. There’s also post-shave skincare to factor in to prevent painful ingrown hairs and dryness.
Waxing
For those who prefer staying hair-free for longer periods, waxing is a good option. Stubbly regrowth after a wax tends to emerge after 3 weeks. However, unlike other methods, waxing is the most painful form of hair removal available as the hair is ripped from the root.
Hair removal creams
Similar to shaving, hair removal, or depilatory creams temporarily get rid of the hair we can see on the surface. This method is quick but can be messy. The residue needs to be showered off afterwards, as the creams can irritate the skin if left on too long.
Laser hair removal
For a more permanent solution, laser hair removal is advisable for serious competitors with a fully loaded sporting schedule. Here, concentrated beams of light are used to destroy the hair at its root. After several sessions, this leads to slower regrowth. With time, laser hair removal treatments can cause permanent hair loss in the targeted area.
What is the Best Form of Hair Removal for Athletes?
The type of activity and schedule demands can impact which hair removal method is best for any given athlete. As well as the individual's personal preferences. For amateur-level sportspeople who want to be able to regrow their hair outside of their semi-regular training and competitions, temporary solutions might be more suitable.
On the other hand, if an athlete has a demanding sporting schedule, laser hair removal can help to cut out the time needed to remove hair before each competition or training session. If time and efficiency matter to you as an athlete, then a permanent form of hair removal makes sense.
