:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/shavingleg-cc1ffcfed533432387f217f17fc0e2f4.png)
Stocksy
Anyone who prefers to remove body hair knows that the process can sometimes feel like a game of whack-a-mole: The hair just keeps popping back up. Luckily, there's a wide variety of options when it comes to getting rid of hair that can suit your wants, whether they be long-lasting or short-term results, easy to DIY or best left to the professionals.
If you're unfamiliar with the most popular hair removal techniques and how long each of their results lasts, it's about time you get acquainted. Ahead, board-certified dermatologists Lauren Penzi, MD, and Corey L. Hartman, MD, and top aesthetics specialist Rhea Souhleris Grous break down the most common hair removal methods, along with facts about each method's longevity.
Ahead, discover which hair removal methods last the longest—and which is right for you.
Meet the Expert
- Lauren Penzi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist of MDCS Dermatology.
- Corey L. Hartman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Rhea Souhleris Grous is an aesthetics specialist and the founder of La Suite Skincare.
Hair Removal Creams
Also known as depilatories, hair removal creams use a strong alkaline solution that works by slowly breaking down the hair until it turns jelly-like and can be wiped off.
When the formula is removed, the hair should come along with it effortlessly. Because this method doesn't remove hair from the follicle itself (it just removes the hair it can touch), if your hair type is dark and thick, you might still see a shadow beneath the skin. The results you get from using hair removal cream are similar to that of shaving, with Penzi saying you'll have a couple of days and up to a week of smooth skin generally.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is the only method approved by the FDA for permanent hair removal and involves the actual destruction of the follicle. While it has one of the best track records, it is worth noting that multiple sessions are needed in order to achieve optimal results.
Other factors, like the skill of the electrologist, the specific type used, and hormone levels can also impact one's results. Penzi explains that electrolysis can last anywhere from a few weeks to months. It's important to keep in mind permanent hair removal isn’t 100 percent guaranteed for everyone, but electrolysis is one of the most legit options available if that's what you're after.
Laser
Laser hair removal works by using a light that converts to heat, which then damages the hair follicles, resulting in less hair growth and density. This hair removal method is currently FDA-approved for permanent "hair reduction" but not permanent hair removal. Similar to electrolysis, lasering can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. "After a full session of five to six treatments, most patients are hair-free for years," Hartman tells Byrdie.
Unfortunately, not everyone's hair responds to treatments in the same way. Multiple sessions (typically around six) are typically needed to see a near-reduction type of result. There are devices that treat all skin types—Splendor X is the first. Rhea Souhleris Grous recommends waiting four to six weeks between treatments for four to ten treatments. "It dramatically reduces hair growth long-term, unlike sugaring or waxing," she says.
Sugaring
No surprise here: The main ingredient used in this hair removal method is sugar. The product is combined and cooked alongside other natural ingredients like lemon juice and water. Then, the paste is heated until it becomes a candy-like consistency and then applied to the skin in the opposite direction of hair growth. Once cool, the paste is removed in quick flicking motions that follow the direction of hair growth.
Sugaring paste can also remove very short hair, and like waxing, it removes the hair from the root. According to Penzi, your sugaring results can last three to five weeks.
Waxing
Commonly compared to sugaring, waxing is a super-popular method both used at home and in countless salons. It utilizes a thick, resin-based formula to remove the entire hair root from the follicle. Like with sugaring, results usually last around six weeks (though Grous suggests coming back after four; however, Penzi says hair can grow back as quickly as one to two weeks), making it one of the significant fan-favorite forms of hair removal, particularly for those who don't want to pay big money for lasers.
The most important thing to note is you need at least a quarter-inch regrowth in order for the wax to grab the hair. So you will inevitably have a few days every four to six weeks with hair, unlike laser hair removal or shaving.
Threading
This ancient process, originating from Eastern countries, uses a cotton or polyester doubled string to pluck hair out of its follicle. It's quite amazing, too, considering how fast it can be done with great precision sans the use of any chemicals or powered tools. Most commonly used on facial hair—especially eyebrows—threading pulls hairs out like a lasso and usually lasts around six weeks.
Tweezing
Also known simply as "plucking," tweezing removes hair from the follicle and usually lasts two to six weeks, depending on the thickness and rate of hair growth. However, tackling a large amount of hair can be an arduous process, which is why tweezing is typically a method reserved for facial hair.
Here are some of our favorite tweezers that get the job done, and we've tried them all.
Shaving
Using a razor, whether manual or electric, will only cut hair off at the skin's surface layer, so it won't last nearly as long as some of the aforementioned methods. It can also result in razor burn, which is why many women opt for waxing or lasers. However, some people prefer its quickness and simplicity.
Put simply: The results are short-lived—Penzi says hair can grow back as quickly as one to three days—so if you're aiming for longevity, it's worth trying a technique that targets the follicle itself.
