Shaving vs waxing vs epilating is a comparison of three very different ways of doing the same job. Shaving cuts hair at the surface. Waxing and epilating pull it out from the root. Whether to remove body hair at all is a personal choice. If you do, the best method is the one that suits your skin, your pain tolerance, your budget and how often you are willing to repeat it.
How each method works
- Shaving: a blade cuts the hair level with the skin. The root is untouched, so stubble appears within a day or two.
- Waxing: warm or cold wax grips the hairs and is pulled away, removing them from the root. A professional or home treatment.
- Epilating: a handheld electric device with rotating tweezers plucks many hairs at once, from the root.
Side-by-side comparison
| Shaving | Waxing | Epilating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removes | Hair at the surface | Hair from the root | Hair from the root |
| Results last | 1 to 3 days | About 3 to 6 weeks | About 2 to 4 weeks |
| Pain | None, unless you nick the skin | Sharp, brief | Stinging, especially at first |
| Hair length needed | Any | About 6 mm (a quarter of an inch) | About 2 to 5 mm |
| Time | A few minutes | 15 to 60 minutes | 15 to 45 minutes |
| Cost | Low, ongoing blades | Higher per salon visit; moderate at home | One purchase of the device |
| Common side effects | Razor burn, nicks, ingrown hairs | Redness, bumps, ingrown hairs, rarely burns or skin lifting | Redness, bumps, ingrown hairs |
| Skill | Easy | Moderate; easier with a professional | Easy, with practice |
Shaving
Pros: quick, painless, cheap, works on any hair length, easy to do in the shower.
Cons: short-lived results, stubble, and a risk of cuts and razor burn.
Best for: legs and underarms, sensitive pain thresholds, last-minute hair removal.
Shaving does not make hair grow back thicker, darker or faster. A cut hair has a blunt tip, which feels coarser than the tapered tip of an uncut hair. See How to Shave Your Legs with Less Irritation.
Waxing
Pros: smooth skin for weeks. Regrowth feels softer and can become sparser over time.
Cons: painful, hair must be grown out between sessions, and there is a risk of burns from hot wax, of skin lifting and of ingrown hairs.
Best for: legs, bikini line, underarms, and people who want longer gaps between sessions.
Not suitable if you use retinoid creams on the area or have taken isotretinoin in recent months, because the skin can tear. Also avoid waxing sunburnt, broken or irritated skin. See Waxing Aftercare: What to Do After Hair Removal.
Epilating
Pros: long-lasting results at home, with no ongoing cost and no mess. It works on shorter hair than waxing.
Cons: uncomfortable at first, slower than shaving, and it can cause ingrown hairs.
Best for: legs and arms. Many devices have attachments for underarms and the bikini line, which are more sensitive.
See How to Use an Epilator: A Beginner's Guide.
Other options
- Hair removal creams dissolve hair at the surface. They are painless, with results like shaving, but can irritate. See Hair Removal Cream: Patch Testing and How to Use It.
- Laser and IPL reduce hair growth over a series of sessions. See Laser Hair Removal vs IPL: Key Differences.
- Threading and sugaring remove hair from the root.
- Electrolysis treats one follicle at a time, for permanent removal of small areas.
- Trimming shortens hair without touching the skin, and is the gentlest of all.
Which should you choose?
| Your priority | Likely fit |
|---|---|
| No pain | Shaving, cream or trimming |
| Longest results from one session | Waxing |
| Low cost over time | Epilator, or shaving |
| Very sensitive or reactive skin | Careful shaving or trimming; patch test anything else |
| Prone to ingrown hairs | Trimming, or shaving in the direction of growth; consider laser |
| Fine or light hair | Waxing or epilating; laser works poorly on light hair |
| Little time | Shaving |
You can use different methods for different areas, for example shaving the underarms and epilating the legs.
Whatever you choose
- Prepare your skin first. See How to Prepare Your Skin for Hair Removal.
- Do not remove hair from broken, sunburnt or infected skin.
- Moisturize afterwards with a fragrance-free product.
- Protect newly smooth skin from the sun.
- See a doctor if bumps become painful, filled with pus or do not settle.
Related on ArniSun
- How to Shave Your Legs with Less Irritation
- Waxing Aftercare: What to Do After Hair Removal
- How to Use an Epilator: A Beginner's Guide
- Hair Removal Cream: Patch Testing and How to Use It
- Laser Hair Removal vs IPL: Key Differences
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Does hair grow back thicker after shaving?
No. Shaving does not change the thickness, color or rate of growth. The blunt cut end simply feels coarser.
Which lasts longer, waxing or epilating?
Both remove hair from the root. Waxing often lasts slightly longer, about three to six weeks, because it tends to remove hairs more completely.
What is the least painful way to remove hair?
Shaving, trimming and hair removal creams are painless when done correctly. Methods that pull hair from the root hurt more.