Dealing with unwanted hair is often a painful chore, no matter what method you choose. Hair removal creams can burn, waxing has inspired many horror stories and razors can leave cuts and cause rashes. However, if you could just brush away unwanted hair, you wouldn't go to such lengths to get rid of it. The body produces hair for protection, so it's pretty durable, and it generally only falls out on its own in areas where you'd actually like to keep it. Since every part of your body is different, you might consider a multi-discipline approach to hair removal.
Step 1
Shave areas that have become toughened to the rigors of the razor. If you've shaved under your arms your whole life, there is little reason to try something else that may be more painful. Glamor Magazine recommends shaving with a mild soap rather than a shaving cream. You'll be able to see what you're doing, and the moisturizers in shaving cream can render your deodorant ineffective.
Step 2
Shave in the direction that feels right to you. Shaving in the direction of the hair growth is good advice to prevent ingrown hairs, but it may not give you the close shave you are after. Chances are you'll find that some areas on your body can handle against-the-grain shaving, while others can't. Try going with the grain first, then finishing with one or two strokes against the grain to smooth it out.
Step 3
Buy top-quality razors, and change the blade frequently. Dull blades pull on the hair rather than slicing through it. These hairs tend to break under the pressure, and they're more likely to grow in than a cleanly sliced hair.
Step 4
Test depilatory creams before applying them to the entire area. Depilatory creams are hair removal products, like Nair. Some people are very sensitive to the chemicals that dissolve the hair, and the skin can react as though it's been burned.
Step 5
Avoid razors on the face if you're female, because the remaining hair appears thicker. In actuality, shaving slices off the tapered end of the hair, leaving behind the already present, thicker middle. The stubble appears thicker than the hair that was removed.
Step 6
Apply a sugaring product instead of wax for facial hair if you're female. They are similar procedures, but sugar products contain no wax. Sugaring pulls the hair out by the root the same way that waxing does, but it tends to pull on the skin itself less than traditional waxes, so it's a little less painful. Sugar-based products are available in most drug stores.
Step 7
Laser the hair off for good in areas like the face to avoid the pitfalls of the other methods. Laser hair removal is growing in popularity, and it is virtually painless. According to MSNBC, the procedure is second only to Botox injections among outpatient procedures, as of 2010. Laser hair removal can be expensive, but when the cost is averaged against a lifetime of dealing with unwanted hair, you may find that it's well worth it. Treatments run about $900 for bikini or jaw lines, as of 2010, but a man's back and shoulders can cost over $4,000.
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