Master Hair Removal at Home Like a Pro

Say goodbye to unwanted fuzz with our expert tips for safe and effective hair removal in the comfort of your own home.

Choosing to remove body hair is a personal decision. There's nothing wrong with keeping your hair right where it is. But, if you want to get rid of body hair, doing so professionally at a salon can come with a hefty price tag. The good news? There are plenty of affordable ways to safely and conveniently remove body hair at home. However, it's important to make sure you're removing hair safely. Whether you shave, wax, or use a depilatory cream or laser, there are certain precautions and best practices to remember. Here, experts explain the pros and cons of each at-home hair removal method and how to achieve optimal results safely.

Temporary Hair Removal Methods

If you want a quick, relatively easy, and accessible way to remove hair immediately, a temporary method is likely the route to choose. These options include shaving, waxing, and depilatory creams.

Shaving

Shaving with a razor blade is one of the most common at-home hair removal methods, which cuts the hair from the skin's surface. "By gliding the device gently and carefully along the skin, the razor makes close contact with the skin to cut unwanted hairs," explains board-certified dermatologist Nava Greenfield, MD. Shaving can be done with a manual or electric razor using a shaving gel, cream, or foam. "It's beneficial to moisten the hair with warm water or use a shaving cream or gel to soften the hair and provide lubrication for the razor," explains board-certified dermatologist Arash Akhavan, MD.

While shaving is probably the easiest at-home hair removal method on this list, it only lasts for a short time since hair is cut at the surface. Fun fact: everyone's body hair grows at slightly different rates. Certain body areas also grow hair faster than others, but shaving typically lasts one to two days before hair regrowth is noticeable.

Preparing your skin properly before shaving for the best results is important. "To minimize skin irritation, it is best to cleanse the skin with warm water and soap prior to shaving," says Akhavan. "Physically exfoliating with a scrub is also beneficial because it helps remove dead skin cells and allows a closer, smoother shave."

It's also important to only shave each area once. "The more pass overs your skin endures, the more likely you will experience some kind of irritation," says Greenfield. Use a clean razor each time, and be sure to clean your razor after each use thoroughly. Shave in the direction your hair grows in rather than against it to avoid irritation. After shaving, Greenfield recommends using a moisturizer to help repair the skin barrier disrupted during the shaving process.

Akhavan recommends using shaving products that cater to your skin type. "Try to stay away from shaving products with harsh ingredients such as alcohol and fragrances as these can cause irritation," he says. "When purchasing razors, the more blades, the better, as it will be easier to reach each hair."

Waxing

Unlike shaving, waxing removes the hair at the root. The wax is applied to the hair and adheres to it, then pulled off the skin, removing hair at the root. "Waxing can last anywhere from four to six weeks depending on the frequency of regular waxing and hair growth cycle," explains Rachel Lee Lozina, licensed esthetician and owner of Blue Water Spa. The more frequently you wax, the slower hair is to regrow. "Over repeated waxing, you can expect waxing to last a little bit longer, from six to eight weeks," says Lozina.

A few common types of at-home wax include:

Cold wax. Cold wax is exactly what it sounds like — an at-home wax that doesn't require heating. An obvious pro of using cold wax is that there's no prep work involved, but Akhavan says this method is less effective on coarse or stubborn hair that's hard to remove. "Make sure skin is clean and dry before applying the wax; always pull the strip in the opposite direction of hair growth," says Akhavan.

Hot wax. Hot wax is more effective for coarse and stubborn hair, costs less than other at-home wax options, and is easier to apply. On the downside, this wax requires heating equipment, has the added risks of burns or skin irritation, and can get messy. "Always test the wax's temperature on a small area of your skin before applying," says Akhavan. "Pull the strip in the opposite direction of hair growth, and apply pressure to the skin immediately after removing the strip to alleviate pain."

Wax strips. Wax strips are coated with wax on one side and come in premeasured strips for easier application. They're convenient, portable, ready to use, and great for small areas like an upper lip or eyebrow wax. However, they can be less effective in pulling out shorter hairs and can leave a residue behind. Akhavan recommends warming the strips slightly by rubbing them between your hands before applying them for the best results.

Depilatory Creams

Depilatory creams chemically remove hair at the surface. "Depilatory creams are topical hair removal products that use chemicals to break down the protein in hair, making it easier to remove," explains board-certified dermatologist Alberto de la Fuente Garcia. "When applied to the skin, depilatory creams can dissolve and weaken the hair to make it easily removable after you wash off the cream."

Removing hair with a depilatory cream only impacts hair at the surface rather than the root but lasts longer than shaving. "The ingredients in the cream break down the hair for a smooth finish that lasts about a week," says Lozina.

Compared to other at-home hair removal methods, depilatory creams are longer lasting than waxing but messier and more involved than shaving. Depilatory creams are also more likely to cause skin irritation, so taking proper precautions is important. "First, always do a patch test on your skin before fully applying the cream to make sure that you don't have an allergic reaction," says de la Fuente Garcia. "Secondly, always read the instructions on the label carefully and follow them exactly as directed." Leaving a depilatory cream on too long can cause skin irritation, so do not exceed the time recommended in the product instructions.

Long-Lasting Hair Removal Methods

If you're looking for a longer-lasting, or permanent, hair removal method, you may want to explore epilation, laser hair removal, or Intense Pulsed Light hair removal.

Epilation

Epilation means removing hair from the root, most commonly using a tweezer to remove unwanted hair from small areas like eyebrows or upper lip. An epilator device can do this same work on a larger surface area. "Epilators often feature several sets of tweezers that rotate during use to pluck hairs from the hair root on various parts of the body," explains Greenfield. "Some epilators are designed to be body part specific, while others have different accessories to help target various body parts." If you have sensitive skin, some epilators come with a sensitive area attachment for gentler use on intimate areas like the bikini line.

Epilation lasts up to four weeks longer than the above methods, depending on the area and your hair growth pattern. "Because epilators remove hair from the root, hairs typically grow back appearing softer, with more narrow tips than those removed with a razor," says Greenfield. However, this method can be more painful than others. If you're new to using an epilator, Greenfield recommends first starting with a small area and epilating at night to allow your skin time to recover. "Some common after-effects include itchiness, redness or tightness of the skin," he says. Using alcohol- and fragrance-free non-comedogenic oil or cream-based moisturizer after epilation can help soothe skin and reduce irritation.

Laser Hair Removal

If you're looking for a long-term hair removal solution, laser hair removal can keep skin smooth for months to even years. "Laser hair removal devices emit a light that is converted to heat energy and penetrates through the skin to target the pigment of unwanted hair without affecting the skin," says Akhavan. "This pigment absorbs the energy of the light to destroy the hair follicle resulting in disruption of hair growth and regeneration."

Though plenty of at-home laser hair removal devices are on the market, many experts recommend against using them. "I wouldn't suggest using at-home laser hair removal devices, as there is a potential risk of burns, scars, and other skin damage if not used properly or under the supervision of a professional," says de la Fuente Garcia. These at-home devices aren't approved for dark skin or light hair and can be less effective than professional laser hair removal. "At-home laser hair removal devices have much lower energy than in-office devices, which is why patients tend to start out with the at-home devices and then switch to an in-office treatment for better results," explains Akhavan. "The low energy makes the at-home devices safe but not as effective as higher energy devices."

Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Hair Removal

Laser hair removal and IPL employ similar technologies but have a few important nuances to be aware of. "Laser hair removal devices have smaller treatment heads and emit a focused beam of light, allowing for more precise targeting," says Akhavan. Both methods work by targeting the melanin in the hair follicle, but IPL does so with a broader spectrum of light. Because laser hair removal is more targeted, it tends to be more effective than IPL at achieving longer-lasting results. However, many people find IPL less painful than laser hair removal since many IPL devices have a built-in cooling method to soothe skin.

If you decide to try IPL at home, it's important to carefully follow product instructions and choose the right device for your skin and hair type. "Always shave the hair prior to treatment and wear protective goggles or glasses to shield your eyes as the light can be damaging," says Akhavan.

Safety Tips for At-Home Hair Removal

Using appropriate safety techniques prior to removing hair at home is key for avoiding injury and irritation. Here are a few ways to minimize the potential risks.

Conduct a Patch Test

Patch testing is recommended when trying new skincare products and is especially important when testing a new at-home hair removal method. Instead of applying or targeting the product on a large area, start small with an area of the body. Different at-home hair removal products may advise different lengths of time or testing methods for patch testing, so be sure to read the instructions before patch testing. If skin appears irritated, experts recommend discontinuing the use of the product. When selecting an area of the body to patch test, opt for a less sensitive area first. "I recommend saving the bikini area after you've successfully tested your skin in other areas, as the skin in the bikini area can be sensitive," says Lozina.

Practice Post-Hair Removal Aftercare

Depending on what at-home hair removal you use, treating the skin properly post-removal for best results is important. "After shaving, use an after-shave balm or moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated and calm irritation," says de la Fuente Garcia. "For depilatories, apply a soothing lotion with aloe vera or glycerin to reduce sensitivity. You can also wet a washcloth with cold water and press it on your skin to reduce inflammation."

After waxing, laser hair removal, or IPL, it's important to keep skin dry for at least 24 hours and avoid workouts that would make the area sweat. "Once the skin has had time to heal, apply a moisturizer or oil to protect the skin and keep it hydrated," says de la Fuente Garcia. Since many at-home hair removal methods disrupt the skin's barrier, applying sunscreen to protect these areas is key.

There's no shortage of at-home hair removal options available for every need and preference — but finding the right one for your skin may take some trial and error. No matter the method, always read and follow instructions for safe, effective results. Akhavan suggests consulting with a dermatologist or skincare professional who can provide more personalized recommendations based on your skin type and sensitivities before starting a new at-home hair removal treatment.

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