Hair Removal Guide: Which Method Is Best for You?

There are myriad methods to choose from when it comes to hair removal—some more costly, some more complicated, some more painful, some longer-lasting than the next. In this guide to hair removal, Rachana Jani, MD, a physician in New York City, comments on the pros and cons of eight common fuzz-fighting techniques. Read on, then decide which one is right for you.

Shaving is one of the cheapest and most easily accessible methods of removing hair because you can do it yourself in the shower—and it only takes an extra minute or two to cover large areas such as your legs.

Best for: Legs, underarms, and possibly the bikini line (if you’re not prone to irritation, razor bumps, and ingrown hairs).

Safety concerns: Nicks and cuts are a possibility, but if you use a razor designed for a woman (which is designed to handle the curves around ankles and knees), replace the blade frequently, and lubricate skin well with a creamy shave gel or foam, you can minimize any potential damage.

How effective is it? With the right tool and technique (shave against the direction of hair growth), you can achieve very smooth skin. But because shaving only cuts the hair above the skin, it will grow back very quickly. Chances are you’ll need to shave every couple of days.

“These products contain chemicals that work by breaking down the disulphide bonds in the keratin of the hair,” explains Jani. Once those bonds are broken, hair is weak enough that you can literally wipe or rinse it off your skin. One downside to this method is that those necessary chemicals can have an unpleasant odor.

Best for: Legs, bikini area, upper lip, and chin. Look for creams formulated just for the face, which are gentler than those formulated to use on coarser leg hair.

Safety concerns: Some people—especially those with sensitive skin—find that the chemicals in depilatories can cause irritation. In order to minimize redness and irritation, don’t leave the product on longer than necessary. Most require about five minutes on the skin in order to work, but if you’re sensitive, err on the side of less time.

How effective is it? Because depilatories work mainly above the surface of the skin, hair will likely regrow in a few days. They can be tricky to use on large areas–like the legs–because you have to spread the cream on and wait for it to work before you can get in the shower and rinse it off.