7 Sustainable Ways To Remove Hair From Your Body

Only if you want to
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It’s Friday night! You’re getting ready to head out and party, after a long week. You take a look at yourself one last time in the mirror. Hair – check. Makeup – check. Dress – check. Shoes… And realize, oh damn! I missed shaving above my knees. What a bummer!

Yes, the struggle of hair removal is real. And we totally feel ya! Body hair – a nightmare for some, while completely natural for others. Whether you’re someone who prefers body hair removal or someone who just doesn’t give an eff about it; we completely support you.

We curated this guide to remind you that, hair removal is a personal choice that you make (and not everyone around you).

You do YOU, love!

The simplest sustainable hair removal methods you should try

laser hair removal from face
Studioroman

#Fact: The hair removal industry targets people’s body hair insecurities and how! It is projected that by 2025, the industry will be worth around $3.17 billion. This means an equal amount of waste with hair erase methods like waxing, shaving creams, and razors.  
 
At GoodGuilt, we are always on the lookout to go waste-free. We’re here to help make personal care eco-friendly and sustainable for you. 

From sugar waxing to DIY hair removal, these super-easy sustainable hair removal methods are for you to choose from (only if you wanna); for when you want to show off your legs in that short outfit or want to just go hairless in general, we got you!

1. Sugaring (not waxing)

Waxing is one of the most painful (and wasteful) ways of getting rid of body hair. Sure, the results are amazing, leaving you with silky smooth skin afterward. After being tired of those razor burns, you know you can come back to waxing as it makes you feel amazing about your skin.

woman waxing legs
Bodymatterware

Now, what if we told you your regular strip waxing is bad for the environment? Find out how. 

The wax strips you throw away after use cause far more damage to the planet than you can think of. Waxing leads to a lot of unnecessary waste — multiple cloths, paper strips, and, of course, applicators. Worse, the wax itself! These materials aren’t decomposable. 

The strips and applicators, unfortunately, make for the most paper and plastic waste, adding to the landfills. No, this isn’t it. The wax on these strips is full of synthetic resin (plastic alert), making things worse for the planet!

Sustainable alternative to strip waxing: Sugaring

Sugaring is giving waxing a run for its money and for all the right reasons!

sugaring sustainable hair removal way
Zeljkodan

Thanks to sugaring (sugar waxing), you can finally do your skin and the planet good when bidding goodbye to your unwanted hair. It is a form of waxing that involves a paste of sugar, lemon juice, and water. These non-synthetic ingredients are heated to become a soft, malleable ball before being applied to the skin only after cooling. 

Sugar waxing is undoubtedly one of the most sustainable hair removal ways as it consists of natural ingredients and involves no tools! 

The answer you’ve been waiting for: Is it less painful than regular strip waxing? Yes. Is it good even for sensitive skin? Of course! 

Book your sugaring appointment at Brazilian Sugaring today!

2. Threading

eyebrows threading
BuckeltListJourney

Are you as obsessed with having perfectly shaped eyebrows, too? We get you. Even though threading may not be the most painless hair removal method, it is very eco-friendly! 

Threading is one of the most simple, cost-effective hair removal methods that only involves a cotton thread. It is a method of hair removal wherein it traps individual hairs within the thread and pulls them out from the root. It’s a bit tricky to master it but is quite gentle, unlike waxing, which damages hair follicles. 

Simply put, if you’ve been looking for ways to remove facial hair, you’re doing it right with threading. It is a sustainable hair erase method as it’s eco-friendly and simple, and the waste involved is completely biodegradable!

Even better, there’s no need to wash the skin after threading, so there’s no chance of wasted water. Sadly, the same can’t be said about other methods of hair removal. Oops!

3. Stainless steel razors (not disposable ones)

disposable razors
Sora Shimazaki / Pexels

Our bathroom cabinets are often flooded with a pack of disposable razors we’ve got from our local supermarkets. Considering how painful waxing can be and how expensive lasers can be, yes, razors are the most convenient way to remove hair. Sadly, though, it’s not all Lala Land about these disposable razors. They’re too bad for the environment and can only add to the waste. 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, just in America, 2 million razors are thrown away every year. These either ends up in landfills or adds to the ocean’s plastic pollution. 

Being a mixture of metal, rubber, and plastic, these disposable razors cannot be recycled. You can fortunately still recycle their individual blades as they’re only made of metal. Check out how: 

Where to recycle razor blades? 

Gillette has partnered with TerraCycle to offer the World’s First National Razor Recycling Program. They accept all types of razors to help keep hard-to-recycle razors and blades from ending up in landfills. You can also check the website of your local recycling center or take your blades to the nearest metal recycling plant. 

Sustainable alternative to disposable razors: Stainless steel metal razors

With disposable razors being a burden for the planet, we knew we had to switch to a sustainable hair removal method.

woman using stainless steel razors
OUIThePeople

What if we told you that you could still stick to this favorite method of hair removal by just choosing the right razors? Our favorites are the stainless-steel razors that can actually last you a lifetime. These bad boys come with replacement blades, giving you a hassle and waste-free shaving experience.  

The only thing you’ve got to do is replace these blades and help prevent the landfills from being overflown. We love that their blades can also be recycled! 

These metal razors are slightly more expensive than your regular ones, but they are truly an eco-friendly way of removing hair. They’re also better on your pockets as they last longer, unlike disposable ones. 

Wondering how to keep your razor clean? Check this guide: Keep your reusable razor rust-free

Our Good Product Recommendations: 

4. Epilating

woman using epilator to remove hair
Panasonic

Epilators are the best sustainable hair erase tools made by mankind! They can last you long while, doing a stellar job at keeping your beautiful skin satiny smooth! Having been around since the 80s now, epilators are popularly known for their painfully thorough hair plucking from the roots!

It is widely known as a zero-waste and eco-friendly way of hair removal as it comes with a rechargeable battery. Epilating is similar to waxing in terms of hair pulling and, sadly, also the pain part. You’d feel like lots of mini tweezers are being used on your unwanted hair, but the end result is simply amazing!  

Thanks to innovative brands, certain multipurpose epilators function as electric shavers, epilators, and massage pads combined! 

Epilating is a fair game when you want to wax your legs, underarms, or tummy. To remove facial hair or hair from intimate areas, you’d still need your beautician. 

Save some money, time, and water by investing in an epilator today, as this sustainable way of hair removal can even be used wet or dry. Don’t forget, the more you do it, the less painful it will get! 

Our Good Product Recommendations: 

5. Eco-friendly hair removal cream

eco-friendly sustainable hair removal cream
Karolina Grabowska / Pexels

If you’re as lazy as we are, conventional hair removal creams are often the go-to when avoiding painful waxing and threading. They’re popular for being painless (if you’re cautious), affordable, and easy to use for removing unwanted hair. Sadly, though, these go-to toxic shaving creams are too bad for your beautiful skin. 

Hair removal creams, popularly known as depilatory creams, work by dissolving your hair. Most of them are loaded with harmful chemicals that act as numbing agents. This means you won’t feel the nicks and scratches “during” shaving but will get razor burns later. 

They’re bad for the environment, too, as billions of these discarded shaving tubes and cans end up in landfills. 

This is your cue to opt for non-toxic shaving creams for sustainable hair removal if shaving is what you swear by! Read on.

Sustainable alternative to chemical shaving creams: Non-toxic shaving creams

non-toxic shaving cream
Neomen / Amazon

For a flawless hair removal experience, use a non-toxic shaving cream alongside your stainless-steel razor. 

Make sure the shaving creams you use are free of everything toxic your skin doesn’t deserve. They should include no toxic substances like palm oil or chemicals that may make your skin dark, allergic, or cause any harm. 

The quest to find the perfect toxic-free hair removal cream method is endless. Actually, no, it is not. Thanks to brands like Lush Cosmetics, you can find strawberry shaving soap in a cute jar for only $15!  

Their shaving creams contain natural ingredients and safe synthetics, plus, the store offers an in-store recycling program. And the cream’s smell? It’s to die for! 

Our Good Product Recommendations: 

6. Laser hair removal

laser sustainable hair removal
peakSTOCK / Getty Images

Looking for a semi-permanent solution to hair removal? Try out laser hair removal. 

If waxing and shaving are too messy and fussy for you and you want a solution to hair growth, this method is the best. You can go completely bare below the belt as laser can also be done on any part of the body — from the bikini, back, and tummy to even the face. It is comparatively expensive but certainly more beneficial in the long run.  

What to expect from laser hair removal? 

Laser hair removal isn’t actually a one-and-done deal. After your hair removal sessions, it usually lasts for about two to six years. However, you’d have to get maintenance sessions done one to four times a year to keep the area hairless! It is also not a “permanent” hair removal solution—new hair growth is reduced and less noticeable. 

Sure, laser hair removal is good for most skin types, but is it really eco-friendly? Let’s find out. 

Is laser hair removal better for the environment? 

Yes, this hair removal method is better on the planet. Laser uses light to remove hair, but disposable razors and waxing can create tons of waste, adding to landfills. Most of the other unruly hair removal methods require a lot of time in the shower, but laser doesn’t! 

You can easily find clinics that offer the best laser hair removal packages at the best prices! Keep an eye out on their website. 

Find an office that provides this service near you: US Dermatology Partners 

7. DIY ways to remove hair at home

diy sustainable hair removal ways
Pixelshot

While DIY hair removal may not seem like the easiest thing to do, it turns out, it is.  

  • To get rid of facial or body hair, all you need are a few handy kitchen ingredients — like sugar, lemon juice, and water. Yes, we’re referring to sugaring. It is the best way to remove hair as, unlike shaving, it won’t cut off your hair at the skin level. Rather, it removes hair from the hair follicle at the root. 
  • If you’re a fan of sugaring, you’d also want to get your hands on turmeric DIY hair removal. Mix one tablespoon of milk with three tablespoons of turmeric powder. Use this mixture in the same direction as your hair growth and leave it for about 20 minutes till it is dry. Now wash with lukewarm water. 
  • Alternatively, with some pros and cons to using it for DIY hair removal, baking soda is an effective way. All you have to do is mix a few drops of lemon juice with a little baking soda. Add water to the mix to make it thick. Apply it to your unwanted hair and leave it on the skin for about 15 minutes. Lastly, just wash it off with lukewarm water. 
Our Good Recommendations: 
  1. Sugar, lemon juice, and water hair removal 
  2. Turmeric hair removal 
  3. Baking soda hair removal

With this guide of sustainable hair removal methods, we hope you’re ready to give back to your skin, all the TLC it deserves! Do let us know which hair erase method worked best for you and your beautiful skin. 

With the fall season in full swing, we all need a skincare routine we can’t go wrong with. This guide will help do the trick for you with its tips and tricks to look your best this season. 

Artur Nichiporenko / Getty

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is the most environmentally friendly way to remove hair? 

Safety razors are hands down the most eco-friendly way to remove hair. Made from biodegradable materials or recycled plastic, they’re great for zero-waste shaving routines. You can even recycle their blades. 

2. Do the hair erasers work? 

Yes, hair erasers, also known as “miracle” stones, use nanocrystalline glass technology and work great to remove body hair. It, however, depends on where you use it. This painless and no-fuss tool should be best used on areas where the skin is thicker, like the arms, hands, legs, and back. 

3. Is sugaring eco-friendly? 

YES! Not only is sugaring gentler and less painful than regular strip wax, but it is also eco-friendly, biodegradable, and water soluble.  

4. Is laser hair removal eco-friendly? 

Laser hair removal is known as the most eco-friendly method. They involve no cans, batteries, razors, or any waste that can add to landfills. They’re semi-permanent, so you won’t need to do them again for a very long time. 

We hope you love the products we recommend! All products featured on GoodGuilt are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something through our retail links, we may earn a commission on the sale. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of the time of publication.

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