Waxing
Best for: many areas, including bikini line, arms, and belly
The scoop:
While waxing offers slower regrowth than shaving (weeks as opposed to days), many complain about the pain, which is most severe the week before, and during, your period. If you're a home-waxer, avoid an inflammatory reaction by lightly powdering your skin first (to absorb natural oils from hairs and render them easier to yank).
Troubleshooting tip:
Stick with cold wax if you have sensitive skin, says Tiffani Carbone, an aesthetician at Turnberry Isle Resort & Spa in Aventura, FL. It's less likely than warm wax to cause irritation.
Shaving
Best for: legs, underarms
The scoop:
The secret to a close shave is to use a sharp razor (razors should be replaced after five uses) with a moisturizing shaving gel on skin that has been dampened in the shower for at least three minutes. Stretch your skin with your fingers and shave against the grain, suggests Cindy Barshop, owner of New York City's Completely Bare Spas.
Troubleshooting tip:
If you're prone to ingrown hairs or razor bumps, try using an electric razor, which is designed to handle short, coarse stubble. We like Remington's Smooth & Silky Plus.
Tweezing
Best for: brows, chin, nipples and toes
The scoop:
Perfect for removing small patches of hair, tweezing yields results of up to several weeks (though brow hairs grow back particularly slowly, so pluck judiciously). For the best results, extract hairs one at a time in the direction of hair growth using a slant-tipped tweezer (Tweezerman is a pro fave). To reduce pain, open up your pores with a hot compress prior to tweezing.
Troubleshooting tip:
Disinfect tweezers with alcohol between uses to decrease bacteria and help avoid infection. Or, if you prefer professional plucking, bring along your own.
Depilatories
Best for:
legs, bikini line, belly, arms and underarms
The scoop:
Depilatories get a bad rap for being messy (avoid staining the bath mat by applying over an old towel) and stinky (don't even think of using in an enclosed, steamy bathroom; open a window first). But because they dissolve hair at the root — rather than cutting it off at the surface of your skin, like a razor does — regrowth generally comes back more tapered and less stubbly looking.
Troubleshooting tip:
Consult your doctor before using a depilatory if you are on any prescription medication or using alpha-hydroxy acids, both of which may cause increased skin sensitivity.
Laser Hair-Removal
Best for: upper lip, any area of the body
The scoop:
Lasers aim a focused beam of light at the area where hair is to be removed. The light is absorbed by the melanin in dark hair, damaging the follicle enough to slow growth. Most lasers work on those with fair skin and dark hair. But those with little melanin (i.e., blonds) should seek out the Aurora DS, an intense pulsed-light device, while those with dark skin should elect long-wavelength lasers, like the CoolGlide, says Neil Sadick, M.D., F.A.C.P., an NYC dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon. You'll need at least three treatments (at $150 to $500 a pop) to see up to 80 percent hair reduction. Avoid sun before and after treatment.
Troubleshooting tip:
Since it's legal for trained nonmedical personnel to wield a laser in some states, go to aboutskinsurgery.com to find a physician who's a certified laser-hair-removal specialist.
Electrolysis
Best for: small regions of the face and body
The scoop:
An electrologist inserts an electrically charged needle into your hair follicle, causing it to stop producing hair. Thanks to new technology, the procedure is becoming less painful, but it's still pricey — about $25 to $60 per session. With regular visits (weekly or monthly for a year, depending on how fast your hair grows), permanent hair removal is possible.
Troubleshooting tip:
Electrology is regulated on a state-by-state basis; states that regulate it require a practitioner to hold a valid license. Look for certificates with current dates as evidence of competence. Go to electrology.com to find a practitioner who belongs to the American Electrology Association.
Some of the Latest Innovations in Hair Removal
Schick Intuition lets you shave without gel. The blade is embedded in a lubricant that keeps your skin slick.
Schick Skintimate Moisturizing After-Shave Gel moisturizes and soothes legs post-shave.
Lineance Facial Hair Removal Cream is a nonsmelly depilatory that can be dabbed directly onto your upper lip.
