At-Home Hair Removal Methods

Greatly efficient, shaving works quickly. While the most common hair removal method, shaving is only a temporary solution. Additionally, the risk of cuts and nicks always presents itself. The use of shaving creams or gels lowers this risk.

Electric shavers remove the risk of cuts, but often have complaints of not shaving as closely as other razors.

Epilating

Epilating devices pull hair out of the follicle root and all. Electric 'tweezers' rotate and remove the hair as the device moves over the surface of the skin. With consistent use, skin can remain hair free between four to six weeks.

Epilators come in a wide price range. Typically, the more expensive the epilator the more tweezers it has, making it more efficient.

Many women shy away from using epilators due to fear of pain. There is pain when initially using an epilator. However, methods of controlling this discomfort exist, such as numbing sprays designed for use prior to epilating. Additionally, post epilation products calm irritation. Some of these lotions also inhibit regrowth of hair.

When used regularly most people report that they become accustomed to using an epilator and the procedure and pain ceases. Another benefit of removing hair, root and all, shows in softer, finer hair regrowth.

Waxing

Like an epilating device, waxing pulls hair out of the follicle. However, waxing removes large sections of hair at once. Heated wax applied to the area gets covered with a special paper. Once cooled, it is stripped from the skin with one quick movement.

Pain issues associated with waxing respond well to the same numbing sprays and post-hair removal lotions appropriate for use with electric epilators.

Smooth Away

The "As Seen on TV" hair removal tool Smooth Away claims to remove even coarse hair painlessly by rubbing the tool on the surface of the skin in a circular motion, also known as the "friction method".

The product comes with two plastic handles; a large one for use on the body and a smaller one for removing facial hair. Thin discs, resembling low-grade sandpaper, with adhesive backings stick to the plastic handles and are replaceable once worn down.

While my tests of the Smooth Away did remove the finer hair, coarse hair was untouched. Additionally, it resulted in skin irritation at the site that cleared after two days of treatment with over-the-counter antibiotic ointment.

Hair Removal Creams

These creams and gels remove hair by dissolving the hair. Benefits of this method include effectiveness and painlessness. New users should try testing a small amount of the product on a patch of skin to determine if they will have an allergic reaction before using it on larger portions of skin.

The results vary from person to person, with hair regrowth beginning anywhere between a few hours to a few days.