Waxing
How it works Wax adheres to — or grabs onto — the hair, and when pulled off skin, lifts the hair out by the root.[4] You can wax yourself at home or go to a spa for a professional wax.
Who (and what body parts) it’s best for If you want longer-lasting results (a few weeks), wax is a great option, and it’s okay to use on any body part.[4] However, do not wax body parts that you’ve used a retinoid or hydroxy acid product on, says Ploch. “These products can increase skin sensitivity and can lead to the wax pulling off the outer layer of skin, which could result in scarring,” she explains.
Cons Waxing can be painful, and it can also be expensive if you’re not doing it at home yourself. Another downside: The pubic area is a bit more prone to ingrown hairs when wax is used, says Lupo.

Threading
How it works Threading is a type of plucking, says Lupo. Done in a salon or spa (or at home if you’re inclined to try), a technician will roll twisted cotton threads over hairs to pull hair out at the root.[4]
Who (and what body parts) it’s best for “Threading is best for fine fuzz,” says Lupo. It lasts longer than shaving — up to five weeks — because the method involves pulling out the hair.[4] “Fine fuzz” is also referred to as peach fuzz, and it commonly grows on the face. In addition to peach fuzz, threading is often used for eyebrows. The treatment is faster than plucking out hair one by one with a tweezer.
Cons There are limitations to threading, namely that it’s best for removing smaller sections of hair. You may want to see a professional for treatment, so threading is often more expensive than plucking your own eyebrows at home, for instance.

Laser Hair Removal
How it works During this in-office procedure, which can be done at a dermatologist’s or plastic surgeon’s office or at a laser hair removal center, a technician uses a laser to target the pigment in the hair follicle, damaging the follicle to lessen future hair growth.[5] The laser vaporizes the hair, so you’ll feel smoother right after a treatment.
Hair grows in cycles, so you’ll need two to six treatments per body part to target all of the hair follicles.[6] And Ploch clarifies that this treatment is actually laser hair reduction, because you will need to touch up areas over time. 
Who (and what body parts) it’s best for Laser hair removal can be used on the face, body, legs, armpits, and pubic area.[5] “This is absolutely the best option in my opinion, hands down, for coarse hairs, especially if the hair is dark,” says Lupo. This is because it’s long-lasting and more effective on dark hair, she says. 
Cons “Lighter hair — blonde, gray — doesn’t respond well to laser hair reduction, since lighter hair doesn’t have pigment for the laser to target,” Ploch says. 

What’s more, since lasers target pigment, they can burn darker skin. If you have darker skin and are interested in laser treatment, make sure that you’re getting it from someone who is knowledgeable and experienced with using a laser on all skin types, she adds.

It’s expensive because you require several treatment sessions spread out over a series of months (plus potential later touch-ups). The American Society of Plastic Surgeons estimates that the average cost is $582 per full course of treatment (all sessions) for one body part.[5]

Hair Removal Creams (or Depilatories)
How it works At home, you’ll spread on lotion that contains an ingredient called thioglycolic acid, which breaks down the proteins in hair. You’ll then rinse (or wipe) off the cream and wash the hair down the drain.[7]
Who (and what body parts) it’s best for You can use depilatories on all body parts, but Ploch advises being careful with applying the cream near your mouth, eyes, or genital area to avoid irritation. In addition, if you have a rash or any broken skin, wait until the skin is healed to use a depilatory; otherwise the product can cause burns, she adds.

Cons Results last longer than shaving but not as long as waxing.[7] Also, the creams can have an unappealing odor. While this isn’t a downside exactly, using a depilatory cream requires careful attention to the product's directions, particularly how long you should leave the cream on skin (otherwise you risk irritation). Be sure to set a timer so you can wash it off as directed.
Sugaring
How it works Sugaring, which can be done at home or in a spa or sugaring and waxing studio, is somewhat like a variation of exfoliation. It works by pulling out fine hairs, says Lupo. It’s traditionally made with a sticky concoction of sugar, lemon, and water that grabs onto hair to remove it.[8]
Who (and what body parts) it’s best for Stick to areas of peach fuzz, such as your face. “Sugaring is not a reasonable option for coarser hair,” says Lupo. The mixture cannot readily grab onto thicker hair, making it less effective.

Cons The granules from the syrup can irritate skin. “If you have an underlying sensitivity like rosacea or acne, sugaring can flare either of those conditions. You don’t want to rub granules into your skin,” says Lupo.

Electrolysis
How it works A very (very!) fine needle is inserted into each hair follicle, sending an electrical current that destroys hair-growing cells in the follicle.[4] You’ll get this done by a professional electrologist, and although it’s not painful, you may feel a bit of heat or a pinch each time the needle is inserted. Afterward, the hair in the treated follicles will fall out. Each treatment can take a few minutes up to an hour.[9]
Who (and what body parts) it’s best for: Electrolysis is a permanent solution, and it can be used on all types of hair (in terms of hair color and texture, including fine and coarse hair) and skin tones. It can take 18 months of treatments to destroy the hair in an area on your body.[10] The procedure can also be used on all areas of the body.[11]
Cons “It permanently destroys hair, but it’s highly inaccurate because it’s easy to miss a follicle, and it can lead to side effects,” says Lupo. Potential side effects include infection and folliculitis, she says. Folliculitis is an inflamed or infected hair follicle.[12]
The Takeaway
There are several options for hair removal, and the best one for you depends on many factors, such as the area you are looking to treat and your hair color and texture, skin conditions, and budget. Some options last just days (shaving), while others can be permanent solutions (electrolysis). If you’re not sure if a method is appropriate for you, ask your dermatologist. They can offer tips for making it safe for your skin type, conditions, and goals.