HOW TO GET RID OF Hair You Don't Want

Follow the GH Beauty Lab's expert cheat sheet for every category of at-home body-hair removal to find the method that's best for you - and guarantee smooth, silky skin you'll want to show off all season.

- APRIL FRANZINO

+ BEST PRACTICE

SHAVING

The most ubiquitous hair-removal choice (over 90% of GH testers opt for it most often), this wet technique uses blades to cut hair off at skin’s surface.

Pros Easy to do and works on all body areas; little to no pain involved; generally cost-effective

Cons Results last only about two days, and blades should be replaced every two weeks for safety and efficacy.

Key Tips Apply a shaving cream or oil first to guard skin and improve glide. Rinse the blades often to unclog them.

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+ BEST PRACTICE 

WAXING

An option for longer-lasting smoothness, wax sticks to hair, removing it at the root when pulled off.

Pros Good for any body area and less costly than other methods; results 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.