How to Remove Body Hair Without Shaving (7 Best Alternatives)

Dealing with unwanted body hair is never a pleasant experience, and the wrong hair removal method will only add to your stress and discomfort. 

While shaving is undoubtedly one of the easiest, most time-efficient depilation techniques, it’s far from a one-size-fits-all solution.

Whether you have sensitive skin, dislike the short-term results, or simply aren’t comfortable with the practice as a whole, here are the seven best alternatives to shaving that’ll leave you with that soft, hair-free skin you’re after without ever having to touch a razor. 

Waxing

There’s a reason why waxing is one of the most popular hair removal methods alongside shaving – it’s cheap, accessible, and easy to do by yourself.

Unlike its counterpart, though, waxing removes the hair from the root, leaving you with smoother, softer skin for longer. 

The practice itself is pretty intuitive. All you have to do is apply a layer of warm wax to the skin, stick a waxing strip over the area, allow the substance to harden, and pull the strip using a swift motion.

It’s important to note, however, that both the wax and the paper strips themselves should be made specifically for that purpose. 

So, if you want to give waxing a try, I’d recommend shopping for a kit made specifically for waxing, and then following the manufacturer’s instructions to a tee.

If your budget and time allow for it, it could also benefit you to book a waxing appointment with a professional first to learn more about the process before trying it yourself. 

Otherwise, make sure to do a test patch to ensure your skin won’t react to the wax or the pulling motion, especially if you’re planning on working on larger areas like your legs or arms. 

It’s also worth noting that there’s a learning curve if you want to take up waxing yourself. 

You’ll need to apply the wax in the same direction as your hair growth, wait the right amount of time until it’s hardened just enough, and then pull the strip in the direction opposite of your hair growth.

Generally speaking, here are the pros and cons of waxing you might want to consider:

Pros

• Long-lasting results
• It makes your hair grow slower and finer over time
• Relatively affordable
• It can be done at home
• Widely accessible

Cons

• It can be painful
• Those with sensitive skin experience irritation
• You’ll need to let your hair grow to a specific length before waxing again
• It can’t be done on pimple-prone skin, as it can spread bacteria around.

Sugaring

If you’re already familiar with waxing, sugaring’s just the more natural and accessible version of it. In fact, the method has been used for centuries as a safe, effective hair removal method. 

Its premise is pretty simple – you make a sticky, sugar-based paste that you let cool off a bit before applying it to the area you want to treat. Again, remember that following the direction of your hair while doing so is of the essence. 

After the substance has hardened, you can proceed to pull it off by hand. Though some pain is to be expected, sugar is generally less irritating than commercially sold wax, so you can expect it to be gentler on your skin. 

The caveat here is that you’ll need to make the sugaring mixture yourself. Luckily, the recipe is simple enough – you can find the instructions here.

As long as you have some sugar, lemon juice, and water on hand, you can try it out right now! However, make sure to have a heating device on hand that’ll keep the mixture liquid (but not hot!) while you work on larger areas of your body. 

Below, you’ll find a summary of this method’s advantages and drawbacks:

Pros

• All-natural
• One of the most inexpensive hair removal methods you can find
• It can be easily done at home
• Gentle, great for sensitive skin
• Not as painful as traditional waxing

Cons

• Learning how to make and apply the sugar wax takes a bit of practice
• Results don’t last as long as they would with traditional waxing
• You need to let your hair grow between ¼ to ½ inches (6.35 – 12.7 mm) before removing it

Epilating 

If neither of the above methods works for you, you might find epilating to be the best hair removal approach.

Epilators are electronic handheld devices that feature sets of rotating tweezers – and yes, they work exactly like you’d expect them to. 

Each individual tweezer grasps and pulls out your hair from the root, leaving only smooth skin behind. One of the reasons why this easy and reasonably cheap hair removal method isn’t more popular is the fact that it can be a bit painful.

However, it’s worth noting that everybody’s pain tolerance is different, and considering the quick, long-lasting results of this approach, it might be worth giving it a try.

Moreover, modern, higher-end epilators feature technologies that keep skin-pulling to a minimum, so make sure to do your due diligence to ensure you get a device that’s suitable even for those with more sensitive skin.

Here are the pros and cons of epilating, summarized:

Pros

• Long-lasting results
• Very precise
• Accessible
• Reasonably affordable
• Perfect for home use

Cons

• It can be painful, especially for beginners
• Skin will become prone to ingrown hairs
• Not the best choice for those with sensitive skin

Depilatory Creams

Those who’re looking for the same pain-free experience that shaving provides might want to look at using depilatory creams instead.

These creams work by dissolving the hair at or just below the skin’s surface; however, they don’t remove it from the root. This means that their effectiveness and longevity are comparable to that of shaving, so don’t expect weeks of hair-free skin.

With that said, they’re pretty easy to use and offer quick results. Remember that it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to a tee; otherwise, you risk irritating your skin or, worse, causing a chemical burn. 

As long as you’re careful with the timing, though, you have nothing to worry about. Simply apply the cream to the desired area, wait the allotted time, and wipe it away along with those unwanted hairs.

Most depilatory creams are pretty cheap; however, this isn’t the time to skimp on quality. Read reviews and make sure to invest in a brand that is just as gentle as it is effective. 

If you know you have sensitivities to certain chemicals, make sure to check the ingredients list beforehand.

These are the advantages and drawbacks to consider before using a depilatory cream:

Pros

• Quick and painless
• Accessible
• Relatively affordable
• Perfect for at-home use

Cons

• Most creams have an unpleasant chemical smell
• Results only last for a couple of days
• Not suitable for people with skin sensitivities

Threading

This might be a lesser-known hair removal method, but it’s one of the oldest approaches in the world, having originated from Southeast Asia and The Middle East over 6,000 years ago.

Threading, true to its name, involves using a twisted cotton thread to trap and remove hair from the root. While precise and long-lasting, the practice can inflict quite a bit of pain, which is why most people refrain from using it in larger areas of the body.

If you’re interested in this approach nonetheless, here are the pros and cons you’ll want to weigh out:

Pros

• Long-lasting results
• Precise
• Minimal risk of irritation

Cons

• Requires skill and practice; beginners might have to book professional appointments
• Can be painful
• Not the most effective technique for larger areas of the body

Hair Removal Pads

Though hair removal pads have still to make their way into mainstream popularity, they’re still one of the best methods for quick, easy hair removal.

These pads work by featuring a layer of fine abrasive particles whose purpose is to buff away unwanted hair when rubbed against the skin. The best thing about this method is that you’ll be exfoliating your skin while keeping it hair-free at the same time. 

Since you won’t be pulling the hair by the root, it’s important to keep expectations realistic – this method only keeps your skin hair-free for 3-4 days, though exceptions can apply.

Below, you’ll find the pros and cons of hair removal pads:

Pros

• Easy to use
• Perfect for home use
• Gentle enough for those with sensitive skin
• Affordable

Cons

• Short-lived results
• Not suitable for those with coarse or thick hair
• Time-consuming

Laser Hair Removal

Lastly, if all this reading about hair removal methods left you wishing for a more permanent solution, I’ve got just the right approach for you – lasering.

Though not as accessible as other methods mentioned on this list, laser hair removal is objectively one of the best decisions you can make for obtaining smooth, damage-free skin. 

Concentrated laser light targets and damages hair follicles, inhibiting further growth. After enough sessions, you might even be able to forgo hair removal methods altogether. 

If budget is not a concern for you, you can book a professional appointment right now. 

Otherwise, you can make a one-time investment in a handheld laser removal device like the Ulike Sapphire Air+ IPL and enjoy smooth, hair-free skin all year long. 

If this seems like an approach you’d want to take, these are the pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Long-lasting results
• Suitable for all skin types
• At-home devices provide a cost-effective solution
• Minimal pain

Cons

• Multiple sessions are required
• Professional treatments can be expensive

At the end of the day, your no. 1 priority should be choosing a hair removal method that suits your pain tolerance, time preferences, and budget. If need be, don’t be afraid to experiment until you figure out what works best for you.