Body Hair Removal - Best Hair Removal Methods | Philips (2024)

Shaving, body sugaring or a body hair removal via laser? Does it hurt? How quickly does hair grow back? The world of hair removal methods is a real jungle.

On average women start removing hair at 17 and the average number of body parts where hair is being removed is three. 88% of all women remove hair from the armpits, 80% from the lower legs and 66% opt for more fresh air around the bikini area. So you are not alone if you ask yourself what the best hair removal method for you is.

Here you‘ll find all the info you need to clear that jungle of hair removal methods: which hair removal methods exist, what their pros and cons are and for which areas of the body they are suitable. So you can decide for yourself, the best hair removal method is for you. And so you can take on the day with beautiful, smooth skin!

Body Hair Removal - Best Hair Removal Methods | Philips (1)

1. The quick option: shaving

You know this one for sure. Shaving is a simple method to remove body hair, because you can manage it inexpensively and quickly at home. It is suitable for any area of the body. You can use a manual shaver and simply follow the contours of your body against the hair growth.

You’ll achieve a more comfortable shave and reduce the risk of razor burn by using an electric shaver like the Philips SatinShave Essential. It has spring-loaded shaving heads that perfectly adapt to your contours and thus create a smooth shave.

Pros: With an electric shaver, shaving is quick and gentle on the skin.

Cons: Hairs reappear quickly: armpit hair grows 0.3 mm per day on average.

2. Epilating: mess-free and long-lasting


Epilating is less comfortable than shaving. However, it is long-lasting and can be used on any part of the body. With a modern epilator such as the Philips Satinelle Prestige, you can remove hair without pulling on the skin – which is less painful. Its unique ceramic discs remove even the finest hairs – even those four times shorter than waxing.

The skin stays smooth for two to three weeks, so stubble is only visible for a short time between treatments. Epilators are more of an investment as compared to shavers, but it’s worth it for long-lasting hair removal at home.

Pros:Enjoy two to three weeks of perfectly smooth skin.

Cons:Less comfortable and more cost-intensive than shaving.

Tip:Exfoliate toavoid ingrown hairs. The Satinelle Prestige comes with a body exfoliation and massage head to prepare the skin for epilating. For a more in depth look at epilating we have a guide on how to epilate.

3. Satisfying waxing


Waxing is one of the better known hair removal methods however if you want to remove hair using wax, you should be able to bear pain. For waxing, typically a liquid wax is applied to your skin. As soon as it has set, it will be pulled off in one motion. A treatment at the beauty salon is more comfortable, but more expensive. Usually, hair grows back after two to three weeks.

Generally all areas of the body can be depilated. But the bikini area will definitely test your pain threshold. Thanks to a large choice of cold and hot wax, treatment at home is relatively easy. Whether the pain is worth it, is a matter of opinion.

Pros:Satisfyingly smooth skin for two to three weeks.

Cons:Painful and, if the more comfortable salon-option is chosen, fairly costly.

4. Sweet sugaring: the less painful alternative


Body Sugaring is similar to waxing. A warm paste made of sugar and citric acid is applied and, after cooling down, is removed. Unlike waxing the hair is pulled out in the direction of hair growth, which is a little more comfortable.

Body Sugaring can be used to remove hair on any area of the body – either at home or at the beauty salon. The costs vary accordingly. But the hair only regrows after circa two weeks, with regular treatments up to five weeks afterwards.

Pros:A long-lasting hair removal that is more comfortable than waxing.

Cons:Higher costs due to salon treatment, which is needed regularly at first.

5. Laser body hair removal: the popular salon treatment


If you want to remove dark body hair, no matter where, laser treatment is a reliable but costly option. It damages the hair follicles, but is innocuous for fair hair and therefore not effective.

Smooth skin will only be reached after several sittings. Make sure your beauty salon informs you about the risks because the skin is being strained during the treatment and often reacts with redness and swelling. Laser slows the rate of hair regrowth making it a popular method for long term hair removal. Another popular method is IPL. Both laser and IPL can be effective solutions for removing hair long term but there are differences between the two.

Pros:In the long-term hair growth is being slowed down.

Cons:Costly option that may irritate the skin.

See below ↓

Body Hair Removal - Best Hair Removal Methods | Philips (2024)

FAQs

What is the best option to remove body hair? ›

What is the best way to permanently get rid of body hair? The most permanent method is electrolysis. But this is expensive and painful, also not many salons offer it. Next is laser treatment, you need at least 6 sessions at a salon, but your hair will be gone.

Which hair removal method is best? ›

Best Ways to Remove Hair
  • Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow. 1/14. Some 30% of women's and 90% of men's bodies are covered with terminal hair. ...
  • Plucking. 2/14. ...
  • Threading. 3/14. ...
  • Waxing. 4/14. ...
  • Laser Hair Removal. 5/14. ...
  • Different Skin, Different Lasers. 6/14. ...
  • Electrolysis. 7/14. ...
  • Shaving. 8/14.
Aug 13, 2022

What is the best method to remove hair from private parts? ›

Shaving is the best way to get rid of pubic hair at home without pain, while trimming the hair at home is a painless method for a tidy-up. With the right tools and advice, shaving should be pain-free. And treating yourself to a bikini trimmer will make trimming a breeze.

What is the safest and most effective hair removal method? ›

Laser hair removal is considered the most effective procedure to reduce unwanted hair. Most women choose to remove extra body hair starting around the age of 17 with various hair removal procedures.

Is electrolysis or laser better? ›

Electrolysis is considered a more permanent solution than laser hair removal (it stops hair growth completely while laser hair removal slows and reduces hair growth), but it requires more individual sessions (closer to 14), and the sessions can take longer. You might not see full results for nearly 18 months.

How to remove body hair without waxing or shaving? ›

Depilatories. Depilatories are over-the-counter products, typically creams, that can be used to dissolve unwanted hair on your body and face. Nair and Veet are some common examples of depilatories.

Which hair removal method lasts the longest? ›

Electrolysis is permanent—and thus, longest lasting. Laser hair removal lasts up to six months and can be permanent with repeated applications, but works better on some people than others. Plucking hairs individually with tweezers lasts up to eight weeks.

What are the cons of an epilator? ›

It can be uncomfortable or painful, especially at first. According to a popular epilation blog DenisaPicks, if you go too fast or move the device against the direction of hair growth, you may break the hair rather than pull it out from the root. These shorter, broken hairs may become ingrown or infected.

What is the best alternative to shaving your legs? ›

The most popular alternatives to shaving include waxing, threading, hair removal creams, epilating, hair removal procedures, and depilatory lotions. Pick one that suits your lifestyle and gives you the end results you want.

What happens if you never shave your pubic hair? ›

The benefits of not shaving pubic hair are avoiding irritation, cuts, and ingrowns—when you don't shave, you won't get irritated. If you don't shave your pubic hair, nothing happens, but it's important to keep it clean with a daily genital-friendly wash and exfoliant to keep odor at bay.

Is it better to wax or shave pubic hair? ›

For bikini areas, waxing is more precise and can result in less razor bumps because of the delicate skin area.

How to stop body hair growth permanently? ›

Electrolysis can permanently remove unwanted hair. Once your hair is gone, you won't need maintenance treatments. It works on all hair types, including light-colored hairs, which lasers cannot remove. There's no downtime.

How to permanently get rid of body hair naturally? ›

There are no home remedies that can permanently get rid of hair from the face and body. However, there are hair removal techniques that can give good results lasting around 4 weeks.

What is the FDA approved hair removal method? ›

Electrolysis is the only FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved method of permanent hair removal. Electrolysis works on ALL body parts, ALL hair types, and ALL skin complexions.

How to remove pubic hair without shaving? ›

If you want to avoid the stubbly look you can get from shaving, you can use depilatories or wax. A depilatory is a cream or liquid that removes hair from the skin's surface. Depilatories work quickly, are available at drugstores and grocery stores, and are painless.

Is it healthier to remove body hair? ›

On the other hand, the removal of body hair does have its benefits — shaving off hair has helped prevent infestations of lice and other parasites, which is certainly not ideal for those living in close quarters and who do not have access to regular showers or baths.

Is it more hygienic to remove body hair? ›

The simple answer is yes, shaving body hair can help reduce body odour! Underarm hair is a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria, which thrive under the protective cover of the body hair, boosting the smell of perspiration as a result. But it isn't the sweat itself that pongs.

Is there a way to completely remove body hair? ›

Electrolysis can permanently remove unwanted hair. Once your hair is gone, you won't need maintenance treatments. It works on all hair types, including light-colored hairs, which lasers cannot remove.

What is the safest way to remove hair permanently? ›

Electrolysis is a United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) approved permanent hair removal technique performed by dermatologists, plastic surgeons, or certified electrologists.

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