Everybody is looking for the best hair removal products requiring the least amount of effort. Because when it comes right down to it, no one can argue that when you look good, you feel good. You can make yourself look good in a ton of different ways: from breaking out that new, limited edition makeup palette (with exclusive velveteen carrying case, obviously) to getting a long-overdue Mani-Pedi, and of course something like a new hair cut can boost self-confidence sky-high.
Luckily, looking good doesn’t always involve some kind of radical change. One of the easiest ways I’ve found to make myself feel great is through a simple body maintenance regimen. This is, of course, wink-wink-nudge-nudgese for reminding your body hair, from head to toe, just who’s boss. (If its been a while and you need a reminder, the answer is resoundingly YOU.) Silky smooth skin always makes me feel like I’m on top of the world!
Lets assume for a moment that you are stuck at this proverbial crossroads of just how to manage your bothersome, follicular friends and you have no idea what would be the best hair removal method for you. Maybe you’re a hair removal virgin, maybe you dropped the ball over the winter months, or maybe you’re just looking for something new. Whatever your reason, welcome to this basic introduction to the best hair removal products! There’s a lot of things to try in the world of smooth legs and no chin whiskers (What? You don’t get those?), so take your time and do your research before you jump in head (or furry feet) first.
SHAVING
For a lot of people, maybe even most, shaving is the best hair removal product to introduce them to the world of body hair maintenance. The supplies you need for shaving are relatively inexpensive, the whole process is easy to pick up, and is pretty painless. You know, except for the occasional nick here and there. Ouch! Thankfully, with practice and patience, even cuts due to shaving can be avoided. Seriously, when it comes to getting yourself out of a hairy situation on the cheap, shaving cannot be beat. Cheaper razors are only really good for 2-3 uses, but at only a few dollars apiece, they are the best hair removal product for anybody wishing to save their money.
Our Rating: 
(4.3 / 5)
Of course, there are a few downsides to shaving.
- First of all, shaving is by no means a permanent method of hair removal. The hairs can start reappearing as soon as the following day. You usually have a 2-3 day window of smooth skin.
- Another issue is that shaving is tedious. Its a mechanical method of hair removal, manual or electric, so you have to personally run a device along every inch of your leg. Theres no room for short cuts, or else you get a bad case of furry-calves.
- Also, I recently read that the average woman uses over 1000 gallons (4000+ litres) of water to shave EACH YEAR! Very wasteful.
WAXING
If shaving is Hair Removal 101, waxing is definitely 201.
Our Rating: 
(4.1 / 5)
Waxing involves coating a hairy part of your skin with any one of a range of warm, incredibly sticky caramel-like substances. This wax is then peeled off the skin. This results in the hair being pulled right off of your body, from the roots, all in one go. Because waxing removes hair directly from the root, it takes longer for the hair to grow out. Results usually last between 2 8 weeks. When the hair does grow back, its a brand new strand which is thinner than a shaved hair. While there are at-home waxing kits, waxing is also offered at most beauty treatment salons, so you can pay someone else to do the dirty work for you. Waxing is among the best hair removal products for those seeking at-home, non-permanent hair removals.
All of these perks do come at a cost, both literal and figurative. In many shops, a waxing session can cost $25-$100 depending on what body part is being waxed. If you would rather try your hand at waxing at home, the wax alone can cost around $10 and the other tools like fabric strips, applicators, and warmers can add up. Be prepared to drop $40 or more. There are a few cheaper waxing options out there, but they still tend to run pricier than shaving. Plus, if you thought the increased cost was painful, you probably missed the part about how waxing literally pulls the hair out of your skin by the roots. The payoff is definitely that it is a much less frequent procedure relative to shaving. The brief discomfort for longer lasting results is justifiable.
DEPILATORY CREAMS
Yes, there are hair removal creams. The draw to creams is that they are quick and easy to use. You just slather it on, wait a while (usually 5-8 minutes), and wipe the cream off. Magically, the hair is gone! Ok, so its not actually magic at all. Basically, hair removal creams compromise the structure of the hair through shrivelling and dissolving the keratin until a simple swipe is all you need to get rid of the strand. If you cant stand too much pain, these creams are the best hair removal method for you. Just be sure to follow the directions!
Our Rating: 
(3.9 / 5)
Heres my issue with creams though. These depilatory creams rely on a chemical reaction to break down the bond holding the follicle together (read more about it here). Id like to think of myself as heath conscious and environmentally conscious, and these products are neither. I think I used Nair once or twice when I was a teenager, and even then I knew that something wasnt right with it. The stench of burning hair was so gross! I ended up getting some ingrowns anyway, so I just gave up on it.
Also, the chemical reaction is sometimes not only hard on your hair, but your skin as well. It is not uncommon to get a burn or a rash from these creams. If you have sensitive skin, depilatory creams might not be the best hair removal process for your body!
Because I personally dont like these products, I am choosing not to actively promote them on my site (it is my site after all!). Although, its very simple to find more information on your own or through Amazon if you choose to pursue depilatory creams.
EPILATORS
Never heard of Epilators? Here’s the sitch. An epilator is basically a combination of an electric razor, and tweezers. You run it against your skin, like you would a razor, but instead of cutting the hair off, it actually plucks it out from the root! This means that you get long lasting results, in the same amount of time as you would spend shaving! Epilators are either corded or cordless, made by many different top-quality brand names like Braun, Remington, Philips and much more.
Our Rating: (4.3 / 5)
The benefits or using an epilator are that the results last 2-8 weeks (like waxing), most epilators are able to pluck out hairs down to 5mm thin, they are small and travel easily, and with epilators ranging between $50 $150 the device will pay for itself within a few months compared to waxing treatments! Personally, epilation is the best hair removal method I recommend.
So wheres the catch? Like waxing, epilators pull the hair out from the root. It is uncomfortable, to say the least. Here’s the thing though, because hair grows in cycles, the newly grown hair will be much sparser, thinner, and easier to pull out. So after using your epilator for the first time, the follow up sessions will be much more manageable discomfort-wise.
LASER HAIR REMOVAL
Laser hair removal is one of the more current hair removal breakthroughs, and really has swept the industry by storm. There is a lot of technical wizardry that goes on behind the scenes, but essentially, during the procedure, specialized light is shown directly onto the hair follicles. When the hair absorbs all of this extra light, it is destroyed. These LASERs are precise! They can target the hair directly without hurting the skin. If that isn’t enough great news, many people report permanent hair loss in target areas after only a few treatments.
Our Rating: 
(3.8 / 5)
Unlike other entries in this list of best hair removal methods, LASER hair removal costs a pretty penny and cannot simply be done at home. While it depends on the area, the amount of hair, and who is performing the procedure, each session could cost over $250 per session. High upfront costs aside, LASER hair removal is one of the best hair removal procedures, because it is one of the few that can offer some level of permanent removal.
I have never personally tried laser, but I have read a lot of conflicting reports on the permanentness of the procedure, so I did some digging. As it turns out, yes, individual follicles are destroyed by the treatment. However, according to this site, your body will develop new follicles over time, which is why follow up treatments ever 4-6 months are recommended.
ELECTROLYSIS
So electrolysis is permanent. They kill that hair dead. Electrolysis is the only method approved by the FDA and the American Medical Association as a permanent hair removal method. Electrolysis destroys the hair chemically or through heat applied directly into the follicle. The hair is then gentle tweezed away.
Our Rating: (3.8 / 5)
I remember my mom going for electrolysis appointments regularly, and never really knew what it was, because I was so young. However, a few years back we were in a pool together and I noticed one long hair from her underarm, which made me realize that she doesn’t shave. Anywhere. Her entire body is hair free. For life! I mean, minus that one hair. So I can tell you, it works!
While modern electrolysis is said to relatively pain free, there is still a chance that you will feel discomfort, especially if you have sensitive skin. Electrolysis is one of the best hair removal products because of its permanent nature, but it is also that nature that makes it inconvenient for those who prefer at-home methods. Electrolysis requires a certified electrologist and many times requires a consultation. Depending on your electrologist and the area that needs to be treated, electrolysis costs could run pretty high depending on your level of commitment. If you don’t mind the extra planning and high costs, electrolysis could very well be the very best hair removal procedure for you!
Phew! If you’ve made it this far, you are a trooper (or just have nothing better to do). That is basically the gist of the best hair removal methods around today. While there are some other, obscure practices that people use, this article covers all the mainstream methods for keeping your skin smooth as silk!
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