---
source_url: "https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/a71385633/hair-removal-methods/?utm_source=openai"
title: "The Best Hair Removal Methods, According to Experts"
mirrored_at: 2026-08-12T15:04:28.976Z
host: www.goodhousekeeping.com
cited_in_42a: true
mirror_canonical: "https://index.42a.ai/www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/a71385633/hair-removal-methods/index__q__utm_source_openai"
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> **Original source:** https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/anti-aging/a71385633/hair-removal-methods/?utm_source=openai

![Estimated read time](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/_assets/design-tokens/fre/static/icons/clock-regular.4ddebeb.svg)4 min read

Whether you’ve been removing hair for decades and thinking of trying something new, always stick to one method but are curious about others, or are totally new to the game, the category can be confusing. To the rescue: Here in the [Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty & Personal Care Lab](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/about/institute/a65565708/about-the-beauty-lab/), our scientists have been testing every category of hair removal products from [razors](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty-products/g4834/best-razors-refillable-disposable/) to [IPL devices](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty-products/g39696646/ipl-hair-removal/) for over a decade and know a thing or two about the best ways to keep skin smooth and fuzz-free. To find the hair removal method (or methods!) that’s best for you, learn all about how each works, including the pros and cons, plus top tricks and best-tested product picks from the GH Beauty Lab.

* * *

## _Easy & Fast:_ SHAVING

The most ubiquitous hair-removal choice (over 90% of GH testers opt for it most often), this wet technique uses the blades of a refillable or disposable razor to cut hair at the surface of skin, says GH Beauty Lab Director [Sabina Wizemann](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/author/1473/sabina-wizemann/).

**✔️ Pros**: Easy and quick to do; instant results; works on all body areas; little to no pain involved; generally cost-effective.

**✔️ Cons:** Results last only about two days, can be used wet only, and blades should be replaced every two weeks for safety and efficacy.

**✔️ Key tips:** To avoid razor burn, wait until your skin is softened by water in the shower or bath, then start shaving, recommends [Christine Choi Kim](http://drchristinechoikim.com/), M.D., a dermatologist in Los Angeles. Apply a shaving cream, foam, or oil first to guard skin and improve glide and rinse the razor's blades often to unclog, the GH Beauty Lab suggests.

Credit: Schick

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## _Painless & Versatile:_ ELECTRIC SHAVING/TRIMMING

Both electric and battery-powered shavers use foil-covered blades or rotating heads to shave hair, while trimmers use vibrating blades to cut hair as scissors do, Wizemann explains.

**✔️ Pros**: Can be used wet or dry; no pain; instant results; a customized hair length (trimmer).

**✔️ Cons**: A moderate cost; short-lived effects (about two days); the need for batteries or charging.

**✔️ Key tips**: Electric shavers a great choice for those seeking a safer shaving option. In GH Beauty Lab testing, trimmers worked especially well for bikini trimming and grooming. (Try Beauty Lab test winner [Meridian The Slimmer Trimmer](https://www.amazon.com/MERIDIAN-Slimmer-Trimmer-Rechargeable-Travel-Friendly/dp/B0DVL8XGMH?th=1&tag=goodhousekeeping_auto-append-20).) Follow the included usage directions and cleaning instructions carefully for best results.

Credit: Panasonic

* * *

## _Quick & Lasting:_ WAXING

An option for longer-lasting smoothness, wax sticks to hair and removes it at the root when pulled off, Wizemann says. Available both as a professional service and for at-home use, types of hair removal waxes include hot waxes, cold waxes, wax strips, and hard waxes.

**✔️ Pros**: Good for any body area; less costly than other methods; instant results that last two to four weeks.

**✔️ Cons**: It can be painful; you must wait for at least 1/8 in. of hair growth to do it; and it may need to be repeated to remove all hair.

**✔️ Key tips**: Be sure skin is completely dry before waxing (apply talc-free baby powder to soak up moisture and prevent wax from sticking to skin). Remove any wax residue with baby oil, the Beauty Lab recommends.

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Credit: Sally Hansen

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## _Simple & Inexpensive:_ DEPILATORY

Rinse-off cream formulas, depilatories help break hair’s bonds so hair can be removed from skin, Wizemann says. “Depilatory creams use chemicals such as calcium thioglycolate or potassium thioglycolate, which break disulfide bonds in keratin, thereby weakening the hair," Dr. Kim explains. They are left on skin for an indicated time period (usually five to 10 minutes), then wiped off, removing the hair.

**✔️ Pros**: Simple to use; low cost; good for larger areas like the arms and legs; generally not painful; instant results that can last about a week.

**✔️ Cons**: Some may be used on bikini area and underarms but can be messy in those spots; could cause skin reactions and have a strong odor; may not work as well on coarse hair.

**✔️ Key tips**: Do a patch test on a small area of skin first to check for sensitivity, and don’t leave the product on longer than the directions indicate, the Beauty Lab advises.

Credit: Sliick

* * *

## _High-Tech & Long-Lasting:_ EPILATING

[Epilator devices](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty-products/g31004034/best-epilators/) have tweezer-like prongs that rotate, plucking hair out at the root (similar to waxes) for long-lasting effects, Wizemann says.

**✔️ Pros**: A one-time purchase; works all over the body; instant results; keeps skin hair-free for two to four weeks.

**✔️ Cons**: Moderate cost; can be painful (though discomfort can lessen with repeated use); must wait for a small amount of hair growth before use and work carefully around delicate areas.

**✔️ Key tips**: For best results, exfoliate skin first. To use, pull bare skin taut and hold device at a 90-degree angle, moving slowly.

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Credit: Braun

* * *

## _Time-Saving & Longest-Lasting:_ IPL/LASER

Available via professional treatments or at-home devices, they utilize laser light or intense pulsed light to target hair, generating heat to destroy the follicles, Wizemann explains. (Laser and IPL hair removal may not work on darker skin or light hair; consult a dermatologist first.)

**✔️ Pros**: A one-time purchase; long-term hair growth reduction; works all over the body; doesn’t need to be repeated frequently.

**✔️ Cons**: Expensive; multiple treatments may be needed for full results; possible discomfort.

**✔️ Key tips**: When using at-home laser or IPL hair removal devices, follow the product’s directions carefully, and don’t use it more often than recommended.

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Credit: Philips

![Headshot of Chiara Butler](https://hips.hearstapps.com/rover/profile_photos/3b360d4f-98c1-4bdf-9514-b899a4ee93ae_1660143028.file?fill=1:1&resize=120:* "Headshot of Chiara Butler")

Reviewed by[Chiara Butler](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/author/245341/chiara-butler/)

Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst

Chiara (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the [Good Housekeeping Institute](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/about-the-institute/a19748212/good-housekeeping-institute-product-reviews/), where she conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.

![Headshot of Sabina Wizemann](https://hips.hearstapps.com/rover/profile_photos/eb733ff2-d5a0-4345-807c-413078685cb1_1660665751.file?fill=1:1&resize=120:* "Headshot of Sabina Wizemann")

Sabina (she/her) is the director of the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the [Good Housekeeping Institute, where she has overseen](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/about-the-institute/a19748212/good-housekeeping-institute-product-reviews/) skincare, haircare and makeup testing since 2012. She also reviews applications, substantiates claims and evaluates products for the GH Seal and the Beauty Awards and Sustainability Awards programs. She has a B.S. in chemistry from Ithaca College and more than 16 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.