If you’re embracing your inner Julia Roberts circa ‘99 and rocking au naturale underarm hair, we salute you.
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For everyone else, if thick, persistent armpit hairs are your top beauty bane come summer, it’s time to say sayonara to long-sleeve tops on a hot day and hello hairless underarms – without even leaving your house.
Image credit: Getty
Here are our top solutions for keeping your underarms silky smooth and hair-free:
IPL laser machines
What was once a luxury salon-only treatment, has now become available in the comfort of your own home thanks to the release of IPL portable devices.
Laser hair removal is a quick process that targets each individual hair follicle, making it the most effective and permanent solution for hair removal. And if you can bear to stay out of the sun for a few weeks following, then it’s our most highly-recommended method.
IPL works most effectively on brown and black hairs, but is significantly less effective on very blonde, red and grey shades. When it comes to skin types, darker tones hold a high risk of burning with an IPL tool, so we suggest avoiding this option altogether if you fall into this category.
bh recommends: LUX Skin IPL Laser Hair Removal $79.99, available at luxskin.co
Epilator
If you’re not a strong laser candidate, although it’s only a temporary result, an epilator machine might be your next best option for at-home underarm hair removal.
And while the machine itself sounds daunting (a contraption constructed of miniature rotating tweezers) the result is a smooth and silky underarm with hairs that have been pulled from the root.
Most effective on underarm hairs that are at least 2mm long, the device needs to be able to “grab” onto something. So be prepared for a little growing time between uses.
Shaving
Ah the old and faithful. Shaving is without a doubt the cheapest and most common method to get rid of underarm hair. And, unless you cut yourself, it’s also the most painless.
Plus, if you’re committed to frequent upkeep and ensuring your razor is of good quality (AKA replacing it often), then shaving is a fairly fail-safe option for most.
To prevent potential irritation and ingrown hairs, we recommend shaving mid-shower to ensure skin has properly softened from the steam and warm water. The result is silky smooth, but bear in mind that stubble will begin to reappear within 2-3 days.
Hair removal cream
If pain-free is your priority then it’s time to try these revolutionary creams that will make all visible underarm hair disappear as you wipe it off.
An affordable option to hair removal, make sure to seek out a formula infused with hydrating ingredients so you can simultaneously nourish and soothe the delicate underarm area.
bh recommends: Nair Sensitive Shower Power Hair Removal Cream
Waxing
Laser aside, waxing will require the least frequent maintenance as the hair is pulled right from the root. You can typically expect 6-8 weeks of little to no hair regrowth between sessions.
And on top of that, the more you do it, the thinner your hair will grow back each time, meaning a slightly less painful experience the more you progress.
bh recommends: Nad’s Bikini & Underarm Wax Strips, Nair Bikini and Underarm Roll-On Wax
Main image credit: Getty
What do you do with your underarm hair? Which is your favourite method?
For years I have been shaving under my arms now I don’t have any hair there to shave anymore.
Tee631 Unfortunately I have darker patches between my legs and haven’t discovered a way to remove them from such a tender area.
Hopefully BH will do a story on how to get rid of these problems, women have.
Any tips for removing darkness underarms?
Shaving or removal creams for me. Not keen on waxing and epilator due to pain but have tried them in the past.
I used to do a quick shave in the shower but now I don’t have to worry because my underarm hair has stopped growing. One thing less to worry about.
Shaving has been the only way I’ve ever tried. For me it’s quick and effective.
I would love one of those IPL machines, but I wouldn’t bother to buy a cheap one. I’d get rid of everything except the hair on my head! But for now, I just shave my underarms.
Will try cream as well. Atm shave every 2-3 weeks and ipl at home (when I remember)
I need a new epilator.
I’ve gotten laser done which helped a lot
One advantage to having fine blonde hair, I can go months without dealing with underarm hair!
I’ve always shaved, easy and efficient for me.
I’ll stick to shaving every couple of weeks, luckily my underarm hair doesn’t grow much now!
I’m blessed with fair hair so just shave it, but always good to be reminded of different methods.
I used to epilate, but now I’ve IPL’d them bare. I definitely noticed that I sweated less when I started epilating, & IPL makes that permanent.
I shave. It’s really easy and quick and haven’t really ever thought to try other methods. Luckily my underarm hair is quite fine so I can get away with shaving once a week or even once every two weeks without it being too noticeable.
I just shave mine. If I had the cash, I’d stump up for laser in that area, but alas, money doesn’t grow on trees…
I’ve got an epilator but I’m yet to “pluck” up the courage to use it on my arm pits
I stick to the old and faithful method of shaving. So quick & easy.
I bought a ipl machine a few years ago and it has ridden 95% of my underarm hair. I still wax a bit but not as much anymore. Would defo recommend as for cost reasons and it’s long lasting.
Epilation on the underarms – yow. It’s hard to beat shaving – it’s quick, easy, cheap and painless.
Waxing my go to way as it also removes dry dead skin.
Epilating armpits for 15 years, do it every 2-3 weeks. It’s quick and only slightly uncomfortable. I had 10 sessions of IPL years ago too. I think my IPL only slightly reduced the overall amount of hair. Wish I had the guts to go au naturale, like Julia Roberts in that old photo. Maybe one day!
I shaved and then waxed for year but now it’s IPL for me. So much better and it works.
I got them lasered off at the salon, best thing I’ve ever done
I shave. But if I have time, I prefer to use hair removal cream
I shave it at times. But I feel I should do laser removal instead.
I can handle hair almost anywhere else but armpits no! I do not use deodorant so I need to keep it clean and clear there.
I cannot laser… I’m a redhead. I was having electrolysis but it is exhausting! Both painwise and financially so I’m just back to waxing. Again. Grr.
Will need to save up for ipl
I’ve never tried IPL
I just shave when I need to.
Laser hair removal Is rather expensive. I found a cheaper option that cost less than 20 dollars.
I prefer to use a creamy product you apply and wash off in the shower.
Laser was my best investment, ever. I had them done (it was not easy to keep all appointments) but now I save so much time and money to do so at home
Shaving is the simplest for me.
What planet have I been living on.
Never ever have I thought of hair removal cream. Don’t know why but may try that next.
I tend to just let it grow -I know I’m lazy – until I have to then I shave.
I just shave mine. I do own an epilator, but OUCH not for underarms. I epilate the hair ON my arms but not under my arms. If I could afford it I’d probably consider laser hair removal.
I just shave
Epilators are insanely painful. They should warn you of that!