Athletes, including cyclists, runners, and swimmers, typically remove body hair as part of their training processes to ensure that hair does not interfere with their exercise regimen, as well as to reduce the extent of infection, discomfort from spandex, resistance in the water, or to make taping and bandaging a less painful process. While each athlete has their own reasons for reducing the amount of hair on her body, one question should be asked of all athletes: What is the best hair removal solution?

According to a survey conducted by Philips and published by Men’s Health, 72% of American men surveyed prefer to have little body hair. The amount of body hair a person has is largely related to genetics, but it can also be caused by other stimuli, such as testosterone treatments, various steroids, and birth control pills. Despite changes in the last 20 years in terms of body shape and image, an attitude towards body hair remains rigid. Less body hair is more desirable and women and men with a lot of body hair are thought to be less intelligent, less sociable and more aggressive.

While some may assume that shaving is the most cost effective strategy, regular body shaving does come with some expense as well as uncomfortable side effects. For example, razor burn is common, hair grows back bristly and is uncomfortable and itchy to the touch, and shaving can cause ingrown hairs that can lead to painful infection.

An affordable alternative is waxing, which first became popular in the 1980s and has been gaining momentum ever since. The process involves applying the wax, a strip of veil, and quickly removing the wax in the opposite direction of hair growth. Although there is some discomfort involved, it is very short-lived and feels like a Band-Aid that is quickly removed from the skin.

The benefits of hair removal include:

1. Over time, hair follicles become damaged and eventually inhibit growth.

2. Hair grows back slower, smoother and finer.

3. There is little skin irritation due to thinning of new growth.

4. Ingrown hair appears much less often.

5. Results can last up to three weeks.

To experience the full benefits of waxing, it should be done every four to six weeks. By adhering to this program, hair removal follows all three stages of hair growth and athletes will experience the benefits listed above in a shorter period of time.

Just like choosing the best running shoe or the best tires for a bike, athletes should seriously consider the hair removal method they use. In addition to reducing the discomfort of shaving, waxing saves athletes time, training clothes fit better, and skin sweats and breathes more easily, keeping odors at bay and making sports more enjoyable.