7 Things You May Not Know About Hair Removal But Should

By Amanda Pressner

The latest advances make going fuzz-free a nearly painless proposition.

Removing unwanted hair has become as much a part of our routines as paying bills (and inspires just as much excitement), but we have good news. Thanks to innovations in hair-removal technology, you can get smoother faster, and with far less irritation. In fact, once you see the seven advancements we’ve discovered—new products and new techniques—you may stop thinking of hair removal as a dreaded chore and may even look forward to it.

1 You don’t have to steal his razor anymore

Your significant other’s sturdy metal shaver once had an edge—literally—over your smaller one because it had more blades, an essential detail that gave him a closer shave. (As the first blade pulls the hair up slightly, the blades that follow get a really close-to the-root crop.) But women’s products have closed the gender gap, with new models featuring up to five blades—such as the Gillette Venus Embrace Razor ($12; at drugstores)—making it easier to eliminate hair on your legs, underarms, and bikini line with fewer nicks and bumps. To further reduce irritation, prep the skin with shaving cream before removing hair; it’s more hydrating and allows for a less painful shave than soap does. Skin-loving best bets: Whish Shave Crave Pump in Blueberry Mint ($24; whishbody.com), Skintimate Shave Gel in Flirty Mango ($3; at drugstores), and Pure Silk Moisturizing Shave Cream for Women in Melon Splash ($2; at drugstores).

2 The newest depilatories are practically odor-free and work faster than ever

“The original versions owed their strong scent to the chemicals calcium thioglycolate and sodium hydroxide, active ingredients that dissolve hair,” says Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., a clinical professor ofdermatology at the University of Miami. While these ingredients are still used, they’re now paired with pleasant scents that help neutralize their odor. Depilatories are also no longer messy: They come in a variety of formulas (sprays, creams, gels, and lotions) designed to stay put as they do their job, usually in 10 minutes or less. Veet In Shower Hair Removal Cream ($8; at drugstores) is even water-resistant, so you can use it in the shower while you’re shampooing (it won’t rinse off until you wipe it with a washcloth). The latest products are also less harsh, thanks to hydrators that create a buffer against potentially irritating ingredients. Try Sally Hansen Extra Strength Spray-On Shower-Off Hair Remover ($8; at drugstores) with moisturizing shea and cocoa butter.

3 You can get the same waxing results at home as you can at a salon/spa

The newest at-home waxing kits contain professional-quality wax to minimize post-treatment bumps. The gentlest versions, like Nair Salon Divine Microwaveable Body Wax Kit ($12; at drugstores), contain glyceryl rosinate, an ingredient that makes the wax softer and more pliable, allowing it to stick to your hair rather than to your skin. Another product that’s made the removal process easier: pellon strips. “Good-quality pellon is a stiffer, less porous fabric than traditional muslin; the wax doesn’t seep through,” says Jodi Shays, owner of Queen Bee Waxing in Los Angeles. “This allows the strip to grip even the smallest hairs firmly.”

1 | 2

Next Page >

SHARE What is this?