Body hair removal is as much of a personal choice as any other beauty treatment. We can’t deny that for many, there’s been a lengthy history of societal pressure to remove it—but as the conversation around how we present ourselves progresses, it’s a good time to remind yourself that the decision is ultimately your own. If you want to leave it alone, then feel free to let it grow. Alternately, if you’d like to remove your body hair, there’s a long list of options currently available.
So, if you’re curious to explore them, we’re bringing you all the relevant information. We spoke to dermatologists, trichologists, and beauty experts to demystify how each process works and the pros and cons of each. Below, our detailed guide to six different types of body hair removal you can choose from.
How It Works: Even if you haven’t tried this one before, you’re likely familiar with the process. Hot wax is applied to your skin, grabs on to the roots of your hair, cools down and then gets pulled off. In order for it to be done effectively, you need to have at least a few millimeters of hair growth above your skin so the wax can properly attach. Your aesthetician may also trim your hair before waxing; when your hair is too long, it can cause extra pain as it comes off (speaking from personal experience).
“This actually removes the organ responsible for hair growth, the follicle or root, out from underneath the skin,” says Dominic Burg, M.D., chief scientist for Evolis Professional. “It not only removes your hair, but also damages the cells and apparatus needed to grow a new hair in its place, so new hairs come in finer and less substantial, more so with repeated waxing.”
Pros and Cons: Waxing can be done on any hair type and is relatively affordable depending on whether you do it at home or which salon you go to. At home, most kits will run you $5 to $30, while salons typically charge $30 to $90 (Brazilians are more expensive than basic bikini waxes since they’re more involved).
Dr. Burg also notes that it’s quick, reduces growth over regular sessions and can remove large areas of hair. On the flipside, “it can cause inflammation and irritation to your skin,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M.D.. Those with sensitive skin types should try a patch test first and it might be a good idea to apply gentle, anti-inflammatory creams to the treated areas afterward. Want more advice from pro waxers? Click here.
How It Works: Here’s a quick hair biology lesson: All of your hair goes through cycles of growth (anagen), regression, rest (telogen), and fall. “The hair on your body has a short growth phase and a medium-long resting phase,” explains Dr. Burg. “Each type of hair has its own cycle and you can surmise what this is by looking at the length, thickness and growth rate. Leg hair has a medium growth phase and a long resting phase of around six months, whereas pubic hair has a resting phase of three months.”
Laser hair removal works best during the active growth phase, which means you will need several sessions to see semipermanent or permanent results. An intense beam of light bypasses the surface of your skin and gets absorbed by hair follicles, destroying their ability to generate new hair over time.
Pros and Cons: You’re unlikely to experience ingrown hairs with this method and while sessions can be expensive, results will also last much longer than methods like waxing or shaving. Chris Karavolas, owner of New York’s Romeo and Juliette Laser Hair Removal, estimates that clients need six sessions on average, “spaced six to eight weeks apart are needed in order to achieve permanent hair reduction.” The sessions themselves are short; underarms and bikini can be treated in five to 10 minutes, while a larger area like your full leg may take 20 to 30 minutes. While pricing will vary by geographic location, Karavolas estimates a full package (for permanent reduction) costs around $3,500 for legs, $1,000 for underarms, and $1,000 for your bikini line.
