Whether you like to be as smooth as a baby’s behind or just be trimmed and tidy, hair removal can get a bit, well, hairy if you don’t have the right stuff.
We’re talking razors, wax strips, at-home lasers and more, which all do the job of removing any unwanted body hair when used properly.
While daunting for some, once you get the hang of it, at-home hair removal can be quick, painless and way less expensive than frequenting a salon every few weeks. Plus, being your own barber, so to speak, can be a lot less intimidating for those new to the waxing or laser game.
RELATED: How to prevent razor bumps, per experts
Before using depilatory creams, hot waxing or laser hair removal, we spoke with Savanna Boda-Lambert licensed medical esthetician and founder of Savanna Boda Aesthetics who advised to stop using active ingredients including “retinol, hydroquinone or AHAs to prevent irritation and lifting of the skin.” You should discontinue use for at least one week prior and after the hair removal process.
See below for more tips from Boda-Lambert and a dermatologist, and shop some of the best at-home hair removal products, including razors, hair removal creams, waxing kits and epilators from some of our favorite brands including top-selling Amazon beauty finds and Target beauty must-haves that will have you summer-ready in a snap.
Click to jump to our hair removal FAQ with the experts, too.
To shop this article by category, simply click on each link below:
- Best at-home waxing products
- Best razors for women
- Best hair removal creams
- Best at-home laser hair removal and epilators
- Best crystal hair removers
Best at-home waxing products
Best Waxing Kit: Sliick At Home Waxing Kit
For the person who wants to save themselves a trip to the waxer, we recommend the Sliick At-Home Microwave Waxing Kit. It comes with a microwavable silicone mug and the wax dries hard so there’s no need for cloth strips. Holly J Coley, our Updates Editor, tested the kit and was impressed.
“I used to get a Brazillian wax every month and I’ve always wanted to be able to do them at home for the sake of convenience. I’ve made my own sugar wax but it’s difficult to find the right consistency to avoid needing strips. With this kit, I don’t have to worry about any of that. I still need to work on my technique but it’s super easy to use and way cheaper than going to a salon.”
AMAZON $36.29 $28.99
WALMART $19.97
Best Laser Hair Removal Product: Ulike IPL Air+ Hair Removal for Women and Men
Remove unwanted hair in a flash, and reduce the chances of it coming back.
IPL or Intense Pulsed Light, when used once a week for a minimum of four weeks, can drastically reduce hair growth and density by 90.37%, according to the site. It also has a cooling effect to soothe skin for a pain-free experience.
AMAZON $299.00 $209.00
Best Wax Strips: Flamingo Wax Trio
FlauntFlamingo
This the waxing kit is really all you need to prep for a hairless summer. The kit includes 20 face wax strips, 28 body wax strips, 24 pubic wax strips and 22 post-wax cloths and a soothing serum for cleaning up after.
Best razors for women
Best Hair Removal Device: Conair GIRLBOMB Shaver
The Conair GIRLBOMB Shaver is a cut above some traditional razors you may find — a tool so smooth, you won’t have to worry about cuts nearly as much. This all-in-one shaver and body polish kit cleanses, exfoliates and shaves for quick and smooth results.
Its four-piece kit includes the Brightbomb body brush attachment, Buffbomb sponge attachment, Shaverave shaver attachment and Vibe Out massager attachment to treat your body to some much-needed pampering. Plus, it’s safe to use under water, which isn’t true for all devices such as these.
Best Hair Removal for Legs: Billie Razor Starter Kit
Leave it to your new BFF Billie to take care of any unwanted hair.
Billie razors offer a smooth shave with minimal irritation. For the easiest start, check out their starter kits that include a razor in the color of your choosing as well as an extra head with five blades and a magnetic holder and free shipping.
Best Pubic Hair Removal Product: Gillette Venus For Pubic Hair & Skin Razor
Get your bikinis on and hit the beach with confidence all year long.
The Gillette Venus razor was specially designed for a woman’s pubic area, as that skin is far more delicate and sensitive than other areas on her body. It comes with a smaller head and a precision trimmer best suited for your swimsuit area and an “Irritation Defense Bar” to smooth skin and only take away the hair down there.
Best hair removal creams
Best Nair Hair Removal: Veet Sensitive Hair Remover Gel Cream
If wax and razors stress you out, turn to a cream with a name brand even your mom will stand behind.
Veet is a tried and true hair removal cream, now sold in a sensitive skin solution. Simply cleans your skin, apply the cream and wait the designated five to 10 minutes and then wipe clean with the included spatula before hopping back in the shower to fully remove all the cream.
Best Hair Laser Removal Product for Women: Braun Silk Expert Pro 5 At-Home IPL Hair Removal System
Laser away unwanted hairhome
This device comes with the device itself, a precision head for harder to reach areas, a Venus razor for any trimming or cleanup and a travel case to fit it all.
Best Chin Hair Removal Product: Flawless by Finishing Touch Facial Hair Remover
Feel flawless with this hand-held facial hair remover.
From Finishing Touch, the Flawless device is super easy to use on stubborn facial hair, and causes a lot less irritation than a traditional razor. Once turned on, the technology microscopically removes hair and wont leave you with nicks, cuts or the razor burn you may be too familiar with from other hair removal methods.
Best Hair Removal Product for Men: Meridian Grooming The Trimmer
Groominggender
While this trimmer may be designed for men, many women have been turning to men’s trimmers to get the job done with amazing results. This trimmer is great for a cut-free shave, that is also waterproof so you can use it in the shower.
An FAQ on Hair Removal
How to safely use a hair removal product
Consider your skin type before choosing what method you use as “skin type does make a difference, more resilient skin can use depilatory creams — sensitive skin should opt for laser hair removal,” according to Boda-Lambert. Tools such as creams, waxing and razors can cause skin redness, swelling and even irritation unlike laser hair removal, which is a lot more gentler while still provide lasting or, in some cases, permanent results.
The Post also spoke with Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, M.D. a board certified dermatologist who also advised to read the instructions — especially for depilatory creams — carefully before application.
“Some depilatories are stronger than others and don’t need to stay on the skin for as long as other preparations to exert their effect,” he said. “Also, application to sensitive areas (genitals, eyebrows, ears, and nostrils) should be avoided.”
If you have sensitive skin and would rather use a cream, that’s totally fine! Mudgil suggests testing a small area first to see how your skin reacts.
“I recommend starting with a small test area and proceeding forward once you’ve determined your skin is not reacting adversely,” he said. “Those with oily skin are generally able to tolerate chemical depilatories a bit easier, but, again, starting with a small test area is always a good idea before treating a larger area.”
Ingredients to look out for in hair removal creams
Both Mudgil and Boda-Lambert say to keep an eye out for thioglycolic acid, a colorless liquid and usually main ingredient in hair removal creams. Mudgil noted that it can also be labeled as “a salt form such as calcium thioglycolate or potassium thioglycolate.”
Anyone with sensitive skin should also look for soothing agents in the formula like aloe or shea butter as it can help with tolerability, Mudgil added.
What to avoid in a hair removal cream
No matter what skin type you have, Mudgil says it’s best to stay away from anything that smells too “chemically” as it can leave skin more irritated. Since depilatory creams can be strong, Boda-Lambert notes it’s best to stay away from anything containing “sodium or calcium hydroxide ([a type of] alkalis), [which] can cause chemical burns when used improperly.”
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