What you choose to do with your body hair is your choice, but if you prefer a more hairless landscape, you might be curious about the different hair removal [1] methods out there. We've done the literal leg-work (along with some on our underarms, bikini lines, brazilian areas) to find out everything we could about laser, waxing, epilating [2], shaving [3], sugaring, threading, and using depilatories.
Read on to learn more about body hair removal — including how much each one of these methods hurts.
Laser Hair Removal
How It Works: Laser hair removal [4] takes dedication, but the results can be worthwhile. The wand used in the procedure emits the monochromatic hair-follicle-impairing light needed to target the pigment at the root. After going through the prescribed amount of sessions, which can last as little as 10 minutes, you'll be able to trade the weekly shaving sessions or monthly wax appointment for a touch-up appointment once every few years.
How Much It Hurts: It depends on your pain threshold and where you get it done. Editorial coordinator Lauren Harano, who recently had her lower legs lasered for the first time, "was surprised that it was more painful than having it done on [her] underarms," while editorial director Dawn Davis said getting laser on her bikini line "barely hurt."
Depilatories
How It Works: Depilatories remove hair chemically by dissolving them at the surface of your skin. They come in many different formulas, from powder to gel to creams and have a distinct smell that can be pungent, depending on its formulated with. The time it takes to dissolve the hair depends on its coarseness.
How Much It Hurts: "[Using a depilatory [5]] doesn't hurt, but it can be uncomfortable," senior beauty editor Kelsey Castañon said. She described the pain as ranging from a slight tingle to a sting. She loves the Nair Leg Mask in Brighten and Smooth [6] ($9).
Shaving
How It Works: After selecting the right razor for you (we love the 5-blade, moisturising Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive Razor [7] ($8)), maneuver the blade against the direction that the hair is growing (the exception being in areas where your skin proves more sensitive to avoid irritation like your bikini line).
How Much It Works: The process should be painless, but accidents happen. You may end up with pesky knicks or razor burn (which can cause slight itching or burning).
Epilators
How It Works: Using an epilator can be daunting, as the head of the handheld, electric device has a wheel equipped with multiple metal grooves that pull hair from your body — and fast. Epilators pull multiple hairs at once as you move it against the area.
How Much It Hurts: "It does take a lot of getting used to since it's, essentially, a spinning wheel of tweezers," said assistant beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor, who uses it on her underarms. "It does sting, but I've found that it hurts less each time that I do it. The payoff is 100 percent worth it because I can go upward of three weeks between sessions." Calaor uses the waterproof Braun Epilator [8] ($150) because she finds that using it in the shower — when her skin is soft from the water and steam — makes the process less painful.
Threading
How It Works: The hair removal experts at Strip [9] have told POPSUGAR that "threading originates from Asia and is an ancient method of removing hair." It's done by using thin, cotton or polyester thread, twisting it into a double thread, and using twisting actions to pluck hair from the root.
How Much It Hurts: "The first time I got threading done, it felt like short lines of slight stinging across my brow bone,"said Calaor who often got her brows threaded when she was in college. "The more often I'd gotten it done, the more I thought the treatment was relaxing. My skin, which is sensitive, would be raised afterward even if I didn't find the session painful (but it went down in under 10 minutes)."
Tweezing
How It Works: Tweezing is the act of plucking individual hairs from skin using — you guessed it — tweezers. It can be done using tweezers with different tips, but one with a slant tip (like the Tweezerman Rose Gold Slant Tweezer [10] ($23)) easily lifts single and multiple hairs more easily.
How Much It Hurts: Pain when it comes to tweezing can range from non-existent to sharp stinging depending on coarseness of hair, sensitivity of area, and pain threshold of the person doing it.
Waxing
How It Works: Whether you're having it done at your favourite salon or doing it at home, the process looks similar. It can either be done with warm wax [11] that is applied to an area of skin then removed when it hardens, or using a thinner layer of wax applied to an area that is removed via a thin cloth (typically mueslin).
How Much It Hurts: "It hurts more depending on the quality and experience of your waxer and definitely feels raw for a day or two after," said assistant beauty editor, Sarah Siegel. "Each time I get waxed [12], I think I was in the room for close to an hour, just to find out it's been about 15 minutes tops."
Sugaring
How It Works: Sugaring [13] works similarly to waxing, but uses a sticky mixuture of all-natural ingredients (like lemon, sugar, and water). The goop is then rolled onto skin and removed in a flicking motion to remove hair.
How Much It Hurts: Sugaring's pain is comparable to waxing, but for those with sensitive skin, it can prove more gentle (as it is free of any chemicals that could prompt added irritation or redness).