Which Is The Best Hair Removal Method For You?

Reading time: 6 mins

As many as 80-99% of women are estimated to remove their body hair, including their legs, armpits and bikini area.1 That’s a lot of body hair removal! So, if you’ve ever asked yourself what the best way to remove body hair for you is, you’re not alone.

To help you out, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide on what hair removal methods are out there, what their pros and cons are, and which areas of the body they work best for. So, you can find out what’s going to work best for you to achieve smooth skin and effective body hair removal.

6-step process of woman using Philips devices and wax on leg hair and bikini line hair.

1. The quick option: shaving body hair

Shaving body hair is a simple and popular method because you can manage it inexpensively and quickly at home. It is also suitable for any area of the body. We recommend using an electric body shaver for women that has shaving heads that adapt to your contours as the best way to achieve a comfortable full-body shave.

Pros: With an electric shaver, shaving is quick and cost-effective and gentle on the skin.

Cons: Hairs reappear quickly! For example, armpit hair grows 0.3 mm per day on average, meaning that regular shaving is required to achieve consistently smooth skin. Shaving body hair can also irritate skin, particularly in sensitive areas.

Tip: Exfoliate before hair removal to avoid ingrown hairs.

2. Epilating body hair: mess-free and long-lasting

Like shaving, epilating can be used on any part of the body.

However, unlike shaving, epilating pulls the hair out from the root, which can be more uncomfortable than shaving.

However, with a modern epilator you can remove hair without pulling on the skin – which is less painful and makes it a better option for hair removal for sensitive skin.

The skin stays smooth for two to three weeks, resulting in longer periods without stubble. Epilators are more of an investment than shavers, but it’s worth it for long-lasting hair removal at home.

Pros: Enjoy two to three weeks of perfectly smooth skin.
Cons: Less comfortable and more cost-intensive than shaving.

3. Waxing body hair

If you want to remove hair using wax, you should be prepared to experience a bit of pain!

When it comes to waxing, the process typically involves applying a liquid wax to your skin. As soon as the wax has set, it will be pulled off in one motion. Getting a wax at a salon can be more comfortable than waxing body hair at home, but it will be more expensive.

Generally, waxing can be used to remove hair from all areas of the body. However, the bikini area is likely to test your pain threshold!

Thanks to a large choice of cold and hot wax, treatment at home is relatively easy. Whether the pain is worth it, is a matter of opinion – like epilating, waxing last longer than shaving because the hair is removed at the root. Usually, hair grows back after two to three weeks.

Pros: Satisfyingly smooth skin for two to three weeks.

Cons: Often painful and, if you prefer going to the salon than waxing at home, can be costly.

4. Body sugaring at home: a less painful alternative to waxing

Body sugaring is similar to waxing and can be used all over the body. A warm paste made of sugar and citric acid is applied to skin and, after cooling down, is pulled off to remove hair.

Unlike waxing, the hair is pulled out in the direction of hair growth, which is a little more comfortable, making sugaring a possible alternative to waxing for sensitive skin.

The cost of this method can vary depending on whether you go to a salon or try body sugaring at home. Hair will regrow after about two weeks, with regular treatments up to five weeks afterwards.

Pros: A long-lasting hair removal that’s more comfortable than waxing.

Cons: Higher costs due to salon treatment, which is recommend regularly to start with.

5. Laser body hair removal: at a salon or clinic

If you want to remove dark body hair, no matter where, laser treatment is a reliable, but costly, option. It damages the hair follicles, preventing and slowing further growth – as hair growth is being slowed down, laser treatment is often advertised as a long-lasting hair removal – but it doesn’t work as well for fair hair.

Lasering is relatively comfortable, however, it requires several treatments to achieve smooth skin. It’s also important to discuss potential risks and reactions with the salon providing the treatment. Laser hair removal can cause the skin to become strained during the treatment, resulting in redness and swelling.

Pros: In the long-term, hair growth is being slowed down, giving long-lasting results.

Cons: Costly option that may irritate the skin and might not work well for all hair types.

See below ↓

6. IPL: professional body hair removal at home

We believe that the best hair removal method should be skin-friendly. IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatment uses light to put the hair into the resting phase and prevent it from growing back. This method can be conveniently used at home, on all areas of the body, but is not suitable for fair hair.

The Lumea Prestige achieves 92% hair reduction after the initial three to four treatments.2 The treatment schedule requires application every two weeks for the initial four to five treatments, followed by touch-ups when needed. The Philips Lumea IPL app makes sticking to the schedule easy.

Pros: Significant hair reduction at home with a skin-friendly treatment at home.

Cons: Investment but you can spread the cost to monthly payments with the Lumea Try & Buy programme. Not suitable for all hair types.

So, there you have it! With all the options available, you will certainly be able to find the best way to remove body hair for you and your skin. In case you’re also wondering about how these options work for different parts of your body, check out our guides on hair removal for underarms, legs and the bikini area.

Sources:

¹Journal of American Culture, 2015.

² Individual results vary.