Hair Removal

by Jessica Cruel

Declare your independence this Fourth of July holiday from your body hair removal woes. To get bikini ready, you could choose to shave and possibly fend off razor bumps later, or plan a somewhat painful trip to the esthetician for waxing. But I recommend taking the middle ground with a depilatory cream.

Chemical hair removal creams have gotten a bad reputation in the past because they smell strange, and if you don't use them correctly they can burn. But for hard-to-reach areas like your underarms, these creams will dissolve even the coarsest of hair. Depilatories also work well on fine hair (like on the stomach) that both wax and a razor can miss. Plus, this type of hair remover won't discolor skin after regular use (I suffer from darkened underarms no longer).

For body, try Veet gel cream hair remover ($11), and then use a damp washcloth to make sure all your hair is whisked away. And on finer facial hair, opt for something like Olay facial hair removal duo ($27). While you'll still get regrowth with depilatory creams, you'll find that you won't have to remove your hair nearly as often as you would with a razor, and for shy types, there's no worry of feeling overexposed on the waxing table. Your Summer savior and time-saver has arrived.

by Jaime Richards

Can you believe that shaving cream, albeit in primitive form, was used around 5,000 years ago? And there are plenty of reasons we're still using it today — particularly during these warmer months. So to find out a few of the dos and don'ts of this truly old-school cosmetic, just keep reading.

by Jaime Richards

We're mammals, and by nature, that means we all have hair all over our bodies — even on our faces. It can range from soft, barely noticeable downy-textured hair, to thick and dark. Depending on factors like hormones, age, and heredity, facial hair can become more prominent, and while totally normal, there are times when it's just plain unwanted. For those moments when you feel like your facial hair needs a little more control, check out these tips for either making it less noticeable, or removing it altogether. Just keep reading.

by Annie Tomlin

Most of us usually toss our razors in the dank corners of the shower — and that, by the way, isn't a hot idea, since moisture can decrease the life of your blades. But the Schick Intuition Naturals razor (around $9) practically demands to be put on display. With art-nouveau packaging designed by blogger Kelly Framel of The Glamourai, it's about as chic as hair removal gets. But there's more here than just good looks: the razor's four blades are surrounded by an aloe-infused solid skin conditioner that lathers when wet, eliminating the need for shaving gel. If you're looking for a little eye candy in your grooming tools, then give this one a try. But move fast, as the limited-edition design won't stick around for long.

by POPSUGAR Beauty

Many women would say that shaving their legs is their least favorite beauty task, but for Tyra Banks, there's no need to bother with the the razors-and-shaving-cream rigmarole in the first place. Tyra explains to Life & Style, "I don't have to shave my legs," adding, "The hair is so faint, you don't even see it." Not all of us are as lucky as Tyra (although what law ever said anyone had to shave their legs, anyway?), who admits there have been times she actually has whipped out the razor. "I used to shave my legs for the Victoria's Secret fashion show . . . and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue shoot," she quips. Look for Life & Style out on newsstands Friday nationwide, and tell us: if you have fine or light-toned hair, do you forgo shaving, too?

by Heather Dale

Two things that always manage to keep me from going to the gym: hairy legs and hairy armpits. Like most people who say that time (or lack thereof) is the primary reason they can't make it to the gym as often as they'd like, I too, will often use the "time" excuse. It's often used when I take one look at my hairy legs and say — "nope, not enough time to shave, which unfortunately means I won't be able to go to the gym today."

I know, this is a lame excuse on my part, which is why I've come up with ways to make sure my legs are prepped for the gym, and/or my armpits are hair-free for yoga, and b) get my butt to the gym even if I'm not smooth shaven. Without further ado, here are some tips for never having to use the "hair-removal time excuse" again.

1. Mark your calendar. Pick a day or two each week to devout precious shower time to shaving your legs. You already have to shower for work, so make it a priority to shave your legs as well. This way, your legs will always be smooth and ready for your gym shorts . . . no hair freak-outs required.

Keep reading for more tips.

by Jenny Sugar

Women go through all kinds of hoops when it comes to beauty, especially in the quest for smooth hairless skin. From waxing to sugaring, threading, and beyond, check out the health risks involved when it comes to common hair removal techniques.

Shaving — Probably the most common way to remove hair since it's fast, cheap, and easy to do yourself. With shaving, there is a risk for nicks, ingrown hairs, and the dreaded razor burn. If you forget to change out the blades, dull or rusty metal may cause irritation or infection. Shaving can also cause folliculitis, an infection in the hair follicle usually caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph) or a fungus.

Waxing — A layer of wax is applied to your skin, and a strip of fabric is placed on top. Once the wax is dry, it adheres to the hairs; pulling the strips off of the skin pulls the hairs from the root. Depending on the location of your body, waxing can be extremely painful; it hurts to have your hair pulled from the root, and the wax also adheres to your skin, taking skin cells with it as it's removed. Waxing can cause irritation and inflammation, especially if you have a reaction to the chemicals in the wax, and, if the wax used is too hot, there's also a risk of burning the skin. If your skin is not held taut when pulling the wax strips off, bruising may occur. Some people also suffer from postwax breakouts or scarring if they have sensitive skin. Once the hairs begin to grow back, you may find painful raised bumps (ingrown hairs), especially under your arms or your bikini area since the hairs tend to be coarse and curly. Waxing should be avoided if you are using Retin-A, Accutane, or antibiotics. These medications make the skin thin, which means more than hair will come off during a waxing service. If you are using Renova or alphy hydroxy, check with your aesthetician before scheduling an appointment.

Read on to hear about sugaring, depilatories, threading, and more.