Earth Day is coming up, making it the perfect time to talk about one of the easiest ways to lessen your environmental footprint—opting for an eco-friendly hair removal method. The fact is that how you choose to eliminate unwanted body hair affects the planet. Chances are your current approach involves bringing out your trusty razor or waxing kit. However, if you want to reduce the amount of waste you produce and do more to help the environment, you should consider undergoing laser hair removal.
How Waxing and Shaving Hurt the Environment
As mentioned previously, waxing and shaving are the go-to methods for removing unwanted hair. Some people prefer the smoother, longer-lasting results of waxing; others shave because it’s easier and less painful. But what you may not realize is that both harm the environment.
The impact of razors on our planet is undeniable. Due to their convenience, disposable razors are a popular choice. Unfortunately, they’re not easy to recycle as they’re usually made with different materials like metal, rubber, and plastic. So, razors typically end up in the garbage. With more than 2 billion razors getting tossed out each year in the U.S. alone, regular shaving creates massive waste. And that’s just the razors themselves.
Home waxing kits can also have a negative effect on the environment. That’s because different types of wax break down at different speeds. Petroleum-based wax, such as paraffin, is nonbiodegradable and will take thousands of years to decompose (if at all). Therefore, using a waxing kit that contains this type of wax means you end up throwing away materials that will just build up over time.
Although waxing and shaving are quick, easy, and convenient, neither is an eco-friendly hair removal option. That’s why many are turning to laser treatment, which helps the environment and results in less hair for you to deal with long term.
What Is Laser Hair Removal?
We’ve already touched on laser treatment as an eco-friendly hair removal method, but if you’ve never had it done before, you may not know what it entails.
In short, laser hair removal is the process of using a concentrated beam of light to stop unwanted hair growth. This light (typically intense pulsed light or IPL) is absorbed by the pigment in the hair. The light energy is converted into heat, which damages your hair follicles to ultimately stop or delay the chance of hair growth in the future.
With laser treatment, it may require a few visits to get optimal results. In most cases, you will need 3-6 treatments, done every 6 to 8 weeks. Afterward, many people, especially those with more contrast between hair and skin, can toss out their razors or waxing kits for good.
How Is Laser Treatment an Eco-Friendly Hair Removal Option?
As noted above, the practices of shaving with disposable razors and using non-eco-friendly home waxing kits contribute waste to our landfills and oceans. However, the problem goes much deeper than the buildup of plastic razors and petroleum-based wax. The good news is that laser hair removal addresses many of the concerns that go along with traditional hair removal options.
Here are 4 reasons laser treatment is a more environmentally friendly hair removal choice:
- Less Water Usage – On average, people in the U.S. spend roughly 8 minutes in the shower, even when shaving. This amounts to about 20 gallons of water per shower. By choosing laser hair removal and cutting out shaving time, you drastically reduce the amount of water you use. This helps the planet by conserving one of our most precious resources.
- No Shaving Cream Waste – Disposable razors themselves aren’t the only things that end up as waste. The same goes for shaving cream containers. Although most canisters are made from steel or aluminum, which can be recycled, not every recycling facility will accept aerosol cans. With laser hair removal, you don’t have to worry about disposing of shaving cream containers properly.
- No Harmful Chemicals – Many shaving creams give off VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that damage our planet. Additionally, some shaving creams contain ingredients that are poisonous to animals. Lasers, on the other hand, do not emit anything that is harmful to you or the ecosystem.
- No Waxing Waste – Waxing is not only uncomfortable for you but also uncomfortable for the planet. The process involves tossing out the wooden applicators and strips after use, and wax can take years to break down. With laser hair removal, you can skip waxing and avoid contributing waste.
We live during a time when we must be more focused on our environment. What we do today impacts the lives of future generations. Laser hair removal has proven itself the winner in eco-friendly hair removal options. However, we shouldn’t stop there. There are many other benefits as well…
What Are Some Other Benefits of Laser Hair Removal?
Are you still not convinced it’s time to toss out your razor or waxing kit for the last time? In that case, it’s worth noting that lessening your environmental impact isn’t the only thing you can look forward to when you opt for laser hair removal. There are a few other benefits waiting just around the corner by switching to this environmentally friendly hair removal method.
Here are some additional advantages to changing the way you eliminate unwanted body hair:
- Better Results – Most people can throw away their razors for good after only a few treatments with a laser. On the off chance it doesn’t work quite that well for you, it will at least ensure that you spend less time with a razor in your hand, which ultimately will mean that you use fewer razors and cans of shaving cream or waxing kits each year.
- Safe for You – If you haven’t undergone a laser hair removal treatment before, you may be concerned about whether it’s safe. Rest assured this treatment is safe and effective when performed correctly using the proper equipment. At Ethos MedSpa, for example, our Venus Versa™ device includes an advanced, real-time cooling system that keeps your skin protected from the heat. Further, a skilled technician will not be using any blades, so you do not have to worry about cuts that may cause infection.
- Time Saving – How much time could you save each morning if you could skip shaving (or waxing) and not have to worry about stubble? Set a timer beforehand to see how long it takes you to get the job done and come up with an estimate of how often you shave or wax over a year. We bet that the results will be shocking. In fact, it is estimated that over the course of a lifetime, women alone will spend 72 days shaving their legs. With laser hair removal, you can get that time back and use it to do the things you enjoy.
Are You Ready to Say Goodbye to Blades and Waxing?
If you’re interested in an eco-friendly hair removal option, the choice is clear. Laser treatment is the way to go. Choosing to eliminate unwanted hair with laser technology allows you to do your part to save the environment.
By switching to laser hair removal, you no longer have to consider proper ways to recycle your razors or risk irritation by trying to stretch their life span. Moreover, you won’t be contributing to waste in landfills and oceans by throwing out shaving cream, wax sticks, and more. Ultimately, you’ll save a lot of time that would normally be going down the drain doing what most of us hate to do—and help the environment in the process! With Earth Day coming up, this is the perfect time to consider getting laser hair removal from Ethos MedSpa. So, if you’re ready to say goodbye to wasteful blades or harmful wax, learn more about our service and schedule an appointment today. You’ll be glad you did!