Your Guide to Hair Removal Including Which Is the Best Method for You (2025)

As a dark-haired Latina who's been tweezing her unibrow and waxing her mustache since elementary school (if you know, you know), my desire to get rid of excess facial and body hair runs deep—and is top of mind as we head into the warmer summer months. The good news: there are so many hair removal techniques available for achieving fuzz-free skin, from good ol' shaving to high-tech at-home laser hair removal devices.

A little trickier, though, is deciding which of these methods is best for you. Some techniques hurt, but offer longer-lasting results (thinking of you, Brazilian bikini wax). Others are quick and easy, but may run the risk of bumpy skin. You'll want to consider the pros and cons of each technique, price, and how long the results last. We have all those details, and more:

Shaving

This is the easiest way to get rid of unwanted hair. The biggest pro: it requires a relatively short amount of time and effort. It’s also budget-friendly. “Shaving is quick, affordable, easy, and leaves your skin smooth,” says esthetician Margo Copeland. But it can lead to irritation, razor burn, bumps, or ingrown hairs if you have sensitive skin or skip steps, adds Lexi Bodem, waxer and esthetician at Fur.

You can shave everywhere on your body, but you may have to do it daily to maintain smoothness, depending on how fast your hair grows. Sometimes, as hair grows back, it curls into the skin, causing an irritated bump or ingrown hair, says Copeland, who says that's why shaving is best left for hair below the neck. (Our exception: snagging a chin or upper lip hair with an electric razor that's safe to use on the face). Another potential con, she adds, is that some areas are hard to reach with a razor, making it difficult to get smooth results everywhere.

What to expect and how to prepare

Before shaving, exfoliate the skin and apply a hydrating shaving gel or cream. Then, as you glide the razor across the skin, "avoid common mistakes like shaving too fast, pushing too hard, using a dull razor, or shaving against the grain of the hair—all can irritate the skin,” says Bodem.

Who is it best for?

“Shaving is ideal for individuals looking for a fast, temporary hair removal method,” says Deidra Green, vice president of field performance at European Wax Center. It’s best for those who don't have a high pain tolerance and don’t have super sensitive or acne-prone skin (shaving can irritate breakouts or cause razor burn).

Dermplaning

Dermaplaning is a facial skincare treatment that uses a sterile scalpel to remove dead skin cells and peach fuzz, explains Copeland. An esthetician can offer the treatment, or you can do it yourself with a dermplaning tool. It’s similar to shaving in that you use a blade to remove hair, but dermaplaning provides a deeper exfoliation, which makes skin look and feel smoother, promotes cell turnover, and helps skincare products absorb, says Copeland.

There’s a common misconception and fear that this technique causes facial hair to grow back thicker. However, Green reassures us that “hair thickness is determined by genetics and hormones, not by the method of removal.” The hair might, indeed, feel slightly different when regrowing, but that's only because the follicle is cut bluntly and not at the root. "It’s not changing in texture, color, or growth rate."

What to expect and how to prepare

Green recommends cleansing the skin thoroughly; you want to make sure you remove all makeup. Also, “avoid exfoliating acids or retinol for one to two days before and after dermaplaning to avoid any potential irritation,” she adds.

Who is it best for?

If you don't like peach fuzz and want a brighter complexion, then you'll love dermplaning. ​​“It's safe for most skin types except for those with active acne or rosacea, since it can further irritate those conditions,” says Green.

Depilatory Creams

“Depilatory creams dissolve hair just below the skin’s surface,” explains Kristin Gunn, owner of Halcyon Skincare & Beaux Medspa in Austin, Texas. “They contain active ingredients that break down the protein structure (keratin) in the hair, making them soft and weak enough to be wiped away easily after a few minutes,” says Gunn.

Depilatories are a quick and painless alternative to shaving or waxing. They're most commonly used on legs, underarms, and bikini lines, says Gunn. But results are short-lived because you're not removing the hair from the root and these products usually have a strong chemical smell. Copeland also adds that depilatories aren't strong enough to remove thick, coarse hair and can be irritating on very sensitive skin.

What to expect and how to prepare

You can find depilatory creams for the face and body. Before using one, though, it's essential to do a patch test on a small, discreet area on the skin to check for any irritation, says Gunn. Avoid shaving or using active ingredients the day of application, since it can make your skin more sensitive and prone to irritation. “If you’ve been in the sun or are using retinoids or exfoliating acids, your skin may be more reactive, so wait a day or two before using a depilatory cream," she says.

Who is it best for?

Everyone can use a depilatory cream, but if you have very sensitive skin, proceed with caution, says Copeland. “The chemicals in these creams can lead to significant skin irritation for some individuals; don't skip a patch test.”

Waxing

“Waxing can be a very effective hair removal method for both the face and body if you do proper skin prep and aftercare,” says Bodem. Waxing removes hair from the root, making it one of the more long-lasting hair removal methods, but also one of the more painful options, explains Laura Harkness, VP of Research & Development at Nair. If you’re someone with thick or coarse hair, you may find it worth it because regular waxing can lead to finer, sparser hair growth over time, says Bodem. Even better? The results can last up to six weeks, so you don’t have to worry about daily or frequent maintenance.

What to expect and how to prepare

You can go to a pro, but there are also at-home options that offer different types of wax. You'll choose your wax depending on skin type, pain tolerance, and treatment area, Green says. Hard wax “is a resin-based formula that is applied warm. It hardens around the hair shaft as it cools, so when you pull it away—with your fingers, no strip needed—the hair comes off with it,” explains Harkness. Cold wax usually comes in pre-cut strips; some people find it less messy and easier to use, but it may not remove all of the hair.

There’s also a method called sugaring; instead of wax, you'll press a sticky paste made from sugar and water onto the hair, then quickly pull off. “Hard wax is often best for coarse hair and sensitive spots; sugar wax is a gentler option that’s great for fine hair, and, because you can reuse the paste, it's ideal when you're treating a large area,” says Green. Before waxing, you need to make sure your hair length is ¼ of an inch long (think rice grain), says Bodem. “Also, exfoliate the skin 12 to 24 hours beforehand to maximize results.”

Who is it best for?

Those who are looking for longer-term hair removal options might prefer this method. “It’s also ideal for people with coarse or fast-growing hair and those who want to avoid daily maintenance,” says Green.

Laser Hair Removal

Laser hair removal targets the pigment (melanin) in the hair follicle with a concentrated beam of light to damage its root, inhibiting future growth without harming the surrounding skin, explains Gunn. It's not to be confused with electrolysis, a less popular treatment where an electrical current damages the hair follicle at the root to prevent growth. You can get a laser treatment professionally done with clinical-grade equipment, which works faster and more efficiently, but less intense at-home devices are also effective.

The biggest advantage of a series of laser hair removal treatments is long-term hair reduction, explains Sindy Von Ziegesar, chief marketing officer of Epilaser. “Over time, most patients see finer, lighter regrowth, or no regrowth at all, which is especially helpful for those dealing with ingrown hairs or skin irritation from shaving or waxing,” says Gunn. It’s also safe for many areas of the body.

Laser hair removal is most effective during the active growth phase of the hair cycle, which is why you need multiple sessions. They're pricey and can also cause temporary discomfort, redness, and irritation. Certain areas can be painful, but most people can bear it, and once the zaps are finished, the pain doesn't linger. The biggest drawback, however, is that it's not always suitable for every skin tone and hair type. More on that below.

What to expect and how to prepare

After a consultation to assess your skin tone and hair type, a pro—or you—will pass the device across the skin as it emits pulses of light targeting the hair follicles. “Most people say it feels like a rubber band snap or pinprick,” Ziegesar says. Prices for at-home devices can vary from $200 to $800. Pro rates vary based on location, treatment area, and the number of sessions (Gunn says most patients need up to eight for maximum results). Here's a very rough breakdown of what you can expect, says Ziegesar:

• Small areas (underarms, upper lip): $100-$150 per session
• Medium areas (bikini, arms): $150-$300 per session
• Large areas (legs, back): $300-$500 per session

Who is it best for?

Laser hair removal works best on individuals with light to medium skin tones and dark, coarse hair, explains Gunn. “The greater the contrast between the skin and hair color, the more effectively the laser can detect and destroy the follicle without affecting the surrounding skin.” If you have fine, light, or gray hair, it may not be as effective. That said, there are plenty of at-home devices that are now being tested on a wider range of skin tones and hair types. So they're safe, but maybe not quite as effective.

Epilators

Think of epilators as high-tech tweezers. “Epilators are handheld devices that mechanically remove hair by grasping multiple hairs simultaneously and pulling them out from the root,” explains Paula Brezavscek, PA-C and founder of Azala Skin Clinic in Miami, Florida. These devices offer longer results than shaving and can be used anywhere on the body. Like waxing, you’re pulling the hair from the root, which can be painful and cause irritation or discomfort, explains Brezavscek.

What to expect and how to prepare

Before using your epilator, make sure your skin is clean and completely dry. Glide the epilator against the direction of hair growth carefully and slowly, says Copeland. Brezavscek says you can use your epilator after a warm shower, when your pores are more relaxed, which might help it feel less painful.

Who is it best for?

“The best candidates for this are people with coarse, thick hair and those who are less sensitive to pain,” says Copeland. “It's not suitable for individuals with sensitive, thin skin, as they may have a harder time tolerating the discomfort.”

Threading

“Threading is an ancient hair removal technique that originated in South Asia and the Middle East,” explains Brezavscek. A trained practitioner uses a twisted cotton thread to roll over the skin, trapping and pulling out hairs at the follicle level. It's like tweezing or plucking, she explains. While you can do threading anywhere on the face and body, it’s time-consuming and best left for smaller areas, like eyebrows or the upper lip, says Copeland. It can also be painful. However, it gives super precise results, is budget-friendly, and it may make hair finer over time, says Brezavscek.

What to expect and how to prepare

You can find threading services at salons, brow bars, and spas, says Green. ​​Make sure you arrive with clean skin before your appointment. ”It can feel like quick pinches or stings as the hair is pulled from the root, but the pain level varies depending on your sensitivity and the area being treated,” adds Green. Afterward, you may experience some redness, bumps, or irritation; apply a cold compress or aloe vera gel to help soothe the skin.

Who is it best for?

If you have very sensitive skin, you might appreciate that threading doesn’t involve additional products or heat, like waxing and creams. It’s ideal for all hair types and anyone looking for a quick and more budget-friendly option than laser, says Copeland. But this is one service best left to a skilled pro.