The Best Hair Removal Methods from Head-to-Toe

By InStyle Staff
Updated Jul 28, 2016 @ 4:50 pm
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To wax or not to wax, is a summer -long debate. If the mere mention of waxing sends tingles all over, there are alternatives that will give you equally smooth results. However, no two hair removal methods are alike, and some products work better on certain body parts than others. Not to worry, we’ve broken down exactly how you should get rid of unwanted hair from head to toe. Consider the following four products the bare necessities of your summer skincare routine. 

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Upper Lip

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The one-two punch of a protecting wax balm (applied first to nix irritation) and a hair-removal cream (applied on top of the balm) makes this next-generation depilatory the perfect targeted solution. Together the formulas eliminate fuzz in under 10 minutes without redness.

Olay Smooth Finish Facial Hair Removal Duo. 

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Legs And Underarms

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For larger areas that you may have to deal with most often, a flexible-head razor makes it "easier to work around leg and underarm contours," says Dr. Will Kirby, board certified dermatologist and Medical Director at Laser Away. "The coarser your hair, the more blades you should use—though more than six is pointless." To keep the razor from clogging, try thin shaving creams rather than thick gels, he says.

Gillette Venus Swirl. 

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Bikini Line

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Waxing offers the longest-lasting results, as technicians pull large patches of hair out from the roots, leaving little chance of ingrowns. If you're removing hair at home, dodge bruising and burns with a depilatory instead. It dissolves hair at the root so stubble takes longer to surface.

Bliss Fuzz Off Foam.

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Take An Extra Step To Prevent Ingrowns

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Get in the habit of exfoliating ingrown-prone areas twice a week. This will keep dead cells from clogging pores and follicles, trapping hairs and causing those tiny bumps to appear, says N.Y.C. dermatologist Jennifer Chwalek. Use a body scrub in the shower, or swipe skin with a pad soaked in glycolic or lactic acids. If a stubborn strand isn't responding, hold a hot compress over the trouble spot for three minutes after exfoliating to dislodge the dead cells and allow the hair to come to the surface.

BeautyRx by Dr. Schultz Ingrown Hair Treatment Pads. 

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