Green Divas Guide to Eco-Friendly Hair Removal

2 Billion (yes BILLION) disposable razors are purchased and then tossed into our landfills in the US every year!

(I’m no math wizard, but I bet there is a ton of icky plastic packaging that adds to this mess)

Forgive me for being a diva about this, but I’m just not ready to have fuzzy legs in the summer . . . we’ve written and talked about this topic before and I always get some grief about how going hairy is the natural and hence the greenest way to go. This may be true, but I’m just not there yet. So, if you are offended by my desire for smooth legs (and less hairy other parts) in the summer, just click away from this post and accept my apologies in advance. BUT, if you are like me and you care a great deal about the environment, but don’t want to be too crunchy about it when it comes to personal leg hair style, read on!

So, if we are past the debate about smooth v. furry, let’s move on to how we can do it greener, shall we?

Go Electric? Ok, seems counter-intuitive and I’ve personally never used an electric shaver on my legs, but perhaps I should consider it:

It saves on three important resources, WATER, MONEY & SHAVING CREAM
A LOT less waste headed to the landfill
You can buy a solar-powered or rechargeable one (to minimize batteries and dirty electricity)

Get Sweet with Body Sugaring- I just learned about this method this past year when we did our Sleeping Naked is Green segment on “No More Shaving.” Essentially, you use a simple mixture of sugar and water to create a sticky substance that can be applied and when removed properly takes unwanted hair with it – voila, right? seems low-stress for the environment and perhaps on our legs too (and seriously low-budget too!). Fellow green blogger and author of Plastic Free: How I Kicked the Plastic Habit and How You Can Too, Beth Terry, offers a great DIY sugar was with honey recipe and a fun and detailed description of how it works.

Waxing – Some methods use a paraffin wax, which of course is a petroleum product (yuck). But there are natural waxes you can use that are just as effective. This post has further details as well as a good list of natural wax hair removal products. Of course, waxing is a great way to minimize water usage compared to shaving.

Greener Shaving -

Get it Straight – If you are brave, you could always try a straight razor, which is probably the most eco-friendly way to go as you are using and maintaining one blade, but nicks can be a bitch.
Build a Better Razor – There are a number of companies coming out with razors that are made from recycled parts and only require replacing the heads. (the Triple Razor is a good example)
Use Your Head – at the very least, find a razor that you can at least keep the handle and just change the head.
Extended Use – There’s a product we learned about that could help extend the life of your razor head called the Razor Gator. Could be worth checking out.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Jennifer G.

12:09PM PDT on Sep 4, 2012

I am at the "safety razor" level right now - only need to buy replacement razor blades every year. Next step, straight razor. Tried sugaring a few times, but it really killed my skin.

September 4
send a green star

Rosette R.

1:39AM PDT on Aug 24, 2012

i have used epilator and shaving.. i just hope i could get the right sugaring product..

August 24
send a green star

Erin K.

5:35PM PDT on Jul 7, 2012

There is a ready made sugar/honey hair removal kit that can be purchased at Drugstore.com or at Whole Foods, Natural Grocery, and Sunflower Market. I have tried it and while you must have the hair you wish removed be a certain length it does work. I won't lie and say it did not hurt like the dickens, but it works and the cloth strips and applicators (wood) are reusable.