It would be dramatic to say that hair removal is the bane of my life, but hair removal is the bane of my life. I wish I was comfortable going au natural, but sadly I’m not – maybe one day, when the pursuit for dolphin-smooth skin becomes too much for me. I’ve tried four different methods of hair removal to see which is the best (or least-awful) for *down there*, to save you the time – and the pain.
By Beth Ludolf
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1 ShavingMy primary method over the years, for literally no reason other than the fact it doesn’t involve laying near enough naked – legs akimbo – in front of a woman you don’t know. I have sensitive skin which is prone to irritation and ingrown hairs (read: shaving is not my friend). If you do it properly, it's better but it's definitely not my favourite.
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2 WaxingFor the sake of science (does this count as science?), I put on my big girl pants – or took them off depending on how you look at it – booked a Hollywood wax and spent the next month growing my hair and worrying about pain. The wax itself (hot wax, not strip) was quite painful – I have a low pain threshold – but it was over much quicker than expected. I was happy with the results but experienced some redness.
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3 SugaringI’ve heard people saying that sugaring is painless but I’ve never really believed them. I headed to Sugaring London for a Hollywood – which took longer than with wax. I wouldn’t describe it as completely pain-free but it was far more bearable (I could hold a conversation throughout). The redness went down in a matter of hours too. Plus, the salon was millennial pink – major bonus points.
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4 Hair removal creamI normally reserve hair removal cream for when I’ve left it a while – two weeks, a month, the whole of winter – between shaving my legs and don’t want to blunt my razor but alas, science (I’m classing it). While definitely convenient, there are certain areas you need to avoid (trust me) and I had to finish the job with my razor.
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5 So, which is best?If your hair-removal routine is treatment-based, you need to fully commit. This means, no shaving between appointments – this leads to uneven results. Personally, I’d recommend sugaring – it’s almost pain-free, lasts slightly longer than waxing (for some people) and is completely natural and vegan. Best of all, the results were flawless and I didn’t have to deal with any lingering redness. I’m sold.
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FAQs
Which hair removal method is least painful for intimate areas?
Sugaring is considered the least painful of the methods compared, although it isn’t completely pain-free. The process is more bearable than waxing and allows you to hold a conversation comfortably during the treatment.
How does sugaring compare to waxing for intimate hair removal?
Sugaring is almost pain-free and tends to cause less lingering redness than waxing. The results from sugaring can also last slightly longer for some people, and it is a natural, vegan option.
What issues can you experience with shaving sensitive skin?
Shaving can cause irritation and ingrown hairs if you have sensitive skin. Using proper technique reduces these issues, but many people still find shaving less comfortable compared to other methods.
How soon does redness go away after sugaring?
Redness after sugaring typically goes down in a matter of hours. This makes it a good option if you want fast recovery and minimal post-treatment visible effects.
Can you shave between salon hair removal appointments?
For the best results, you should not shave between treatment-based appointments. Shaving between sessions can lead to uneven results and disrupt the benefits of wax or sugaring routines.
