5 effective ways to remove underarm hair at home

If you’re embracing your inner Julia Roberts circa ‘99 and rocking au naturale underarm hair, we salute you.
RELATED: How to get rid of facial hair
RELATED: Hair removal shortcuts to try this summer
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?
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38 Member Comments
I just shave when I need to.
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Will need to save up for ipl
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Mighty DR JB! You have done it again, you have showed me your powers which i have been hearing from different people, right now I'm talking out of experience, DR JB you are the greatest spell caster that i believed that is existing cause you brought back my lover who left me since 2018 within 24 hours, Sir you are the greatest, thanks for your great work in my life, and i will live to remember you because you put a smile on my face by making my dream come through, thank you once again sir. My friends out there who need help, I will advise you to contact DR JB for help because he is a great man that is ever living, here is DR JB Email: unlimitedlovespellcast@gmail.com WhatsApp +1(415) 286-5884
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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.
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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.
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I shave it at times. But I feel I should do laser removal instead.
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I shave. But if I have time, I prefer to use hair removal cream
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INSTANT REUNION LOVE SPELL CASTER TO BRING BACK YOUR EX ASAP. dr.makinidrmurugu@gmail.com
I want to share my experience with the world on how i got my love back and saved my marriage. I was married for 7years with 2kids and we livest of the house and still went ahead to file for divorce. I pleaded and tried everything but still, nothing worked. The breakthrough came when someone introduced me to this wonderful, great spell caster Dr. Murugu who eventually helped me out. I have never been a fan of things like this but just decided to try reluctantly cause I was desperate and left with no choice. He did special prayers and used roots and herbs. Within 48 days she called me and was sorry for all the emotional trauma she had cost me, moved back to the house and we continue to live happily, the kids are happy too and we are expecting our third child. I have introduced him to a lot of couples with problems across the world and they have had good news. I just thought I should share my experience cause I strongly believe someone out there needs it. You can email him via Email dr.makinidrmurugu@gmail.com OR dr.makinidrmurugu@yahoo.com Website: http://drmuruguspells.com Website: https://drmakinidrmurugu.blogspot.com Whatsapp number +90 538 069 4285.
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INSTANT REUNION LOVE SPELL CASTER TO BRING BACK YOUR EX ASAP. dr.makinidrmurugu@gmail.com
I want to share my experience with the world on how i got my love back and saved my marriage. I was married for 7years with 2kids and we livest of the house and still went ahead to file for divorce. I pleaded and tried everything but still, nothing worked. The breakthrough came when someone introduced me to this wonderful, great spell caster Dr. Murugu who eventually helped me out. I have never been a fan of things like this but just decided to try reluctantly cause I was desperate and left with no choice. He did special prayers and used roots and herbs. Within 48 days she called me and was sorry for all the emotional trauma she had cost me, moved back to the house and we continue to live happily, the kids are happy too and we are expecting our third child. I have introduced him to a lot of couples with problems across the world and they have had good news. I just thought I should share my experience cause I strongly believe someone out there needs it. You can email him via Email dr.makinidrmurugu@gmail.com OR dr.makinidrmurugu@yahoo.com Website: http://drmuruguspells.com Website: https://drmakinidrmurugu.blogspot.com Whatsapp number +90 538 069 4285.
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I got them lasered off at the salon, best thing I've ever done
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How to have your husband back home with your kids again
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I shaved and then waxed for year but now it's IPL for me. So much better and it works.
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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!
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Waxing my go to way as it also removes dry dead skin.
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Epilation on the underarms - yow. It's hard to beat shaving - it's quick, easy, cheap and painless.
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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.
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I stick to the old and faithful method of shaving. So quick & easy.
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I've got an epilator but I'm yet to "pluck" up the courage to use it on my arm pits
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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...
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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.
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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.
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