Ouch! How to Make Hair Removal Less Painful

Get silky, smooth skin without expensive laser treatments.

Waxing Ain’t for Everyone - Some girls live for wax, but others like me, not so much. It's OK to stick with the handy-dandy razor, but ditch the cheap ones. Try shelling out a little bit more for one that will better meet your needs. Try razors that have heads with built-in gel or moisturizers that can make your next shave smooth, painless and cut-free.(Photo: 2/Adam Gault/Ocean/Corbis)

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Waxing Ain’t for Everyone - Some girls live for wax, but others like me, not so much. It's OK to stick with the handy-dandy razor, but ditch the cheap ones. Try shelling out a little bit more for one that will better meet your needs. Try razors that have heads with built-in gel or moisturizers that can make your next shave smooth, painless and cut-free.(Photo: 2/Adam Gault/Ocean/Corbis)

Hairless Summer - I love summertime: the great weather, rocking dresses and going to the beach. But the hair removal game this season can be a pain (literally). But no worries! From waxing to Nair-ing it off to shaving, here are some tips on how to make hair removal agony-free without expensive laser treatments. By Kellee Terrell(Photo: Peter Frank/Corbis)

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Hairless Summer

Soak Your Skin - Granted, you can’t soak your skin every time you need to shave, but if you have the time to soak once a week, try it. It helps soften hair and makes it easier to shave and prevent nicks and cuts, which is really important for women of color given that we have coarser hair. (Photo: I Love Images/Corbis)

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Soak Your Skin

Say Goodbye to Ingrown Hairs and Bumps - Ingrown hairs around your bikini line can hurt and are ugly to look at. Make sure when you shave you shave opposite the direction they grow — this old trick can reduce your risk of developing bumps. You also need some creams to help. My personal faves: Coochy Rash Free Shaving Crème and Coochy After-Shave Mist. Also, to reduce bumps, try gently exfoliating or using pads like Queen Bee Buzz Off Bumps cleansing pads.(Photo: Coochy)

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Say Goodbye to Ingrown Hairs and Bumps

Give Yourself a Minute  - Don’t rush to pile on lotion, deodorant, perfume or other beauty products right after you shave — it can be very unpleasant to say the least. Give your pores some time to close up to reduce stinging and pain. (Photo: Peter Frank/Corbis)

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Give Yourself a Minute 

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Step Your Depilatory Game Up - The Nair of our mama’s day may have scarred us with its awful smell and thick pink formula, but times have changed. Many depilatories are odorless, have better ingredients and work better on coarser hair like ours. Not to mention, they come in gels, sprays and crèmes to fit your needs. FYI: If your skin is normally sensitive, make sure you do a spot test to make sure you don’t have a reaction. The last thing you want is a flare up on your cha-cha.(Photo: Push Pictures/Corbis)

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Step Your Depilatory Game Up

Prep for Your Wax - If you do decide to wax, here are some things you can do prior to your next waxing appointment or at-home session that can make a big difference — and no, taking a shot of tequila ahead of time isn’t it. Make sure to drink plenty of water beforehand as it plumps the skin, making waxing easier. Also, exfoliate the skin ahead of time and try to schedule your appointment right after your period — your pain threshold is a little higher then.(Photo: Felix Wirth/Corbis)

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Prep for Your Wax

Ask for the Right Wax - According to Women’s Health, “not all waxes are created equal.” By asking for a natural wax that is void of synthetic materials, the experience is less harsh on the skin and won’t remove your skin in the process. (Ouch!)(Photo: Bernard Radvaner/Corbis)

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Ask for the Right Wax

Trusting New Technology - With hair removal being a billion-dollar business, companies have stepped up their game to create better technologies that are more affordable and not as painful as their predecessors. For example, handheld epilators, machines that rip the hair out of the follicle, are better made and can be used on all areas of the body. My fave: The Emjoi Emagine Electric Epilator.(Photo: Emjoi)

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Trusting New Technology

Try Sugaring - If you have sensitive skin, sugaring can be a great hair removal process for you. It’s made from natural products, it removes the hair right from the follicle and it can keep you hairless for weeks.(Photo: GARO/PHANIE/phanie/Phanie Sarl/Corbis)

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Try Sugaring