The Best Body Hair Removal Methods: Temporary/Long-Lasting Options for Women

With so many women’s hair removal options out there, finding the right one can be tricky. Fret not, for we're here to walk you through all the options for women's hair removal. Whether you're leaning towards temporary solutions like shaving, or you're curious about more long-lasting body hair removal choices like IPL or laser, we’ve got every bit of ground covered, so you can make the choice that suits you best!

These hair removal methods for women help remove hair from the root. It takes weeks for hair to grow back, and when it does, it is usually softer and thinner than before. The great thing is that root hair removal lets you enjoy smooth skin for a very long time – up to 4 weeks.

Works by: Using a hand-held device that has a head of rotating tweezers, which you run along the skin’s surface, removing hairs as it goes. Learn more about how epilation works, here.

Best for: All body parts - legs, underarms, arms, bikini area and face

Advantages: Ultra-smooth results, lasting up to four weeks. It is mess free, and new models also come with an extra attachment for removing unwanted hair from specific areas, such as the face.

Disadvantages: It may be uncomfortable in more sensitive areas.

Beauty rating: Epilators can remove hairs as short as 0.5mm, unlike wax, which needs lengths of 2mm hair growth for optimal results – so there’s no need to wait for unsightly regrowth.

Dermatologist’s note: “Because with epilation, the hair is removed at the root, when it does grow back, the tip tends to be tapered, which results in it having a finer appearance. In addition, regular epilation can reduce the number of in-growing hairs.”

Works by: Applying hot or cold wax to the skin in the direction of hair growth. Then, once it solidifies, fabric strips are smoothed on and quickly stripped off against the direction of the growth, pulling the hair out with it. An alternative option is pre-made wax strips. See the difference between waxing and epilation here.

Best for: Legs, bikini, eyebrows, underarms and upper lip.

Advantages: Wax can keep skin hair free for weeks, so you don’t have to think about hair removal for some time.

Disadvantages: It can be painful. Plus, you must wait until hairs are long enough before you can wax them again, which can be a problem if you want to bare your legs or hate the feeling of regrowing hairs. If you do it yourself, it can be messy, and if you go to a salon, it can be expensive. Finally, wax can miss very short hairs.

Beauty rating: Great if you find daily hair removal a ‘hassle’ – and if you’re prepared to pay for a professional treatment.

Dermatologist’s note: When you wax, skin can be left dry afterwards. Follow with a soothing lotion, ideally one containing aloe vera.

Works by: Taking fine pieces of cotton thread and twining the thread round each individual hair then pulling the thread quickly apart, removing the hair along with it.

Best for: Small, delicate areas like eyebrows and upper lip.

Advantages: Hairs are removed from the root, so regrowth is slow, and hairs don’t grow back prickly.

Disadvantages: Fairly slow process since hairs need to be pulled out one by one. It’s also quite a specialised procedure, so you need to go to a well-trained professional.

Beauty rating: Great for eyebrows – once they’ve tried it, most women are converts.

Dermatologist’s note: “Threading is not very traumatic for the skin, so it is good to use on particularly sensitive areas like the upper lip or eyebrow.”

Works by: Passing a small electric machine with a fine screen at one end across the skin’s surface, trapping hair. Blades move laterally and cut the hairs against the edge of the screen.

Best for: Legs, bikini area, underarms

Advantages: Quick, safe and because you do it ‘dry’, it’s easy to do on the go. Shaving is also a good option for those with very sensitive skin.

Disadvantages: The ‘hairless’ effect doesn’t last as quite as long as wet shaving. The razor also needs looking after properly, which means regular cleaning and changing the blade annually.

Beauty rating: Great as a gentle and quick hair removal method.

Dermatologist’s note: “This is a convenient hair removal option that’s gentle enough to be suitable for most people. Don’t use it if your skin is already irritated by cuts or rashes, though.”

Works by: Gliding blades over moistened skin to cut hair at the surface.

Best for: Legs, underarms, bikini area

Advantages: Fast, effective, painless and also gently exfoliates dry, flaky skin on legs to keep them looking extra-smooth.

Disadvantages: Whilst shaving does reveal beautifully smooth skin you have to keep on doing it frequently in order to maintain smooth results. Find out whether wet or dry shaving suits you better.

Beauty rating: A great option for busy women.

Dermatologist’s note: “Shaving is a convenient option – but it’s important to do it properly. Just using soap and water is not ideal as it often leaves skin with a dry, scaly appearance. It is better to use a moisturising shave gel.”

Works by: Chemically dissolving the hair at the surface of the skin. Once applied, the cream is left on the skin for up to 10 minutes then removed by gently rubbing away at the hair.

Best for: Upper lip, bikini area and underarms

Advantages: Pain-free, inexpensive.

Disadvantages: Can sometimes be messy and difficult to apply. Traditionally, products have had an unpleasant smell, though some are better than others. Skin irritation can be a problem, too, so it’s best to do a patch test 24 hours before you want to apply.

Beauty rating: Best for small areas like the face and underarms

Dermatologist’s note: “If you have sensitive skin, depilatory creams may not be the most appropriate option, because the chemicals contained in them can cause both irritant and allergic reactions. Always carry out a patch test, ideally on the inside of the arm and better still on two separate occasions, before using it on an entire leg or face.”

Works by:
Physically removing hairs from the root using tweezers, results in longer-lasting hair removal compared to shaving.

Best for:
Precision hair removal in small areas like eyebrow shaping or removing stray facial hairs.

Advantages:
Precision and control, targeted hair removal at home, longer-lasting results compared to shaving, as hair is removed from the root. Relatively inexpensive, with reusable tools.

Disadvantages:
It can be painful or uncomfortable, especially in sensitive areas. Time-consuming for larger areas due to the individual hair removal process. Risk of ingrown hairs and potential skin irritation.

Beauty rating:
Highly effective for small, precise areas like facial hair and eyebrows.

Works by: Focusing a narrow beam of concentrated light on small sections of skin. The light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair follicle underneath the skin surface, thus heating the hair follicle and disabling hair growth depending on the growth cycle (anagen only). The paler your skin and the darker your hair, the better the treatment will work. Learn more about how IPL works here.

Best for: Bikini, underarm, upper lip, legs, arms, face

Advantages: IPL hair removal is now much faster and less painful than it used to be because larger sections of skin can now be treated in one go. In many cases, hair is discouraged from ever growing back, or if it does, the hair tends to be very fine and thin.

Disadvantages: Results are not instant – it takes up to 3 weeks for noticeable hair reduction - and regrowth can be stimulated by hormonal changes like pregnancy. Changes to pigment in your skin can increase the risk of sunburn so you have to avoid sun exposure to treated areas six weeks each side of treatment.

Beauty rating: Great for areas that cause you real distress, like the upper lip, or chin, or as an overall long-lasting hair removal solution as well.

Dermatologist’s note: “The laser works by ‘homing in’ on the pigment in the hairs – so the closer your hair colour to your skin colour, the higher the risk of burning and potential scarring. The ideal combination is therefore dark hair on pale skin. If you have dark skin, you should give careful thought before embarking on this technique.”

Works by:
Using laser technology to emit concentrated light into hair follicles, which is absorbed by the hair's pigment. The absorbed light generates heat that damages the follicle, reducing future hair growth. Learn about the difference between laser and IPL hair removal here.

Best for:
Face, legs, arms, and underarms.

Advantages:
Provides long-lasting hair reduction, offering longer periods of hair-free skin. Suitable for larger treatment areas and can be quicker than some alternatives.

Disadvantages:
Not a guaranteed long-lasting solution, multiple sessions are usually required and can cause temporary skin redness and discomfort during and after treatment.

Beauty rating:
Highly effective for achieving smooth, hair-free skin, particularly on larger body areas.

Works by:
Inserting a fine probe into individual hair follicles. Electrical currents are then applied to destroy the hair follicles' ability to grow hair.

Best for:
Suitable for small areas and for those seeking long-lasting hair removal.

Advantages:
Offers the potential for long-lasting hair removal. Suitable for all hair colours and skin types. Precise and effective for small areas.

Disadvantages:
Time-consuming, as each hair follicle must be treated individually. It can be uncomfortable or mildly painful. Multiple sessions are needed for optimal results.

Beauty rating:
Highly effective for achieving long-lasting hair removal in smaller areas.