GET RID OF BODY HAIR

Summer means lots of bare skin - and that means it's time to shave... or to wax... okay, what's the best hair removal option?

The fact is, every hair removal method has its benfits and drawbacks. Plus, some are best for certain body parts but not others. Myjellybean.com gives the information you need, to help you decide how you'll keep your skin smooth and hair-free this summer.

SHAVING

When you shave, you use a razor to remove hair by cutting it off at the base.

Body Parts it's Good For: legs, armpits, bikini line

Pros: cheap, easy, painless (if you're careful with the razor!)

Cons: hair grows back quickly (within a few days)

Shaving is an excellent method of hair removal for most areas of the body including legs, armpits and the bikini line. (Don't shave facial, belly or arm hair). To prevent getting those little red bumps (ingrown hairs) that sometimes crop up after shaving, follow Myjellybean.com sure-shaving tips:

• Shave at a time when you are comfortable and not rushed. Speeding through shaving means you won't do it gently or well, and ingrown hairs are sometimes the result.
• Use a safety disposable razor with a moisturizing strip. Many brands have this and all are available at drugstores.
• Never, ever share a razor with a friend or family member. It's an easy way to get infections.
• Make sure that the area you are shaving is wet.
• Shave at the end of a shower or bath, not the beginning. This way your skin will be soft and moisturized from the warm water and your hairs are less likely to get ingrown.
• Apply a hypo-allergenic shaving cream or lotion. Do not use body wash or regular soap, which contain perfumes and can be irritating to your skin when shaving.
• When shaving your legs, move the razor in a slow, smooth upward motion. Some women only shave the bottom of their legs (from the knee down), others do the whole leg. Be careful around the knees, ankles and shins because these areas are easily cut.
• After you are finished shaving, apply a moisturizer to the areas you have shaved. This will help to prevent dry skin and reduce the possibility of ingrown hairs. Skip the scented or perfumed moisturizer and go for something that will really soften your skin, such as vitamin E cream, cocoa butter or an aloe vera moisturizer.

DEPILLATORY CREAMS AND LOTIONS

Depillatory creams and lotions, such as Nair and Neet, temporarily remove hair by chemically dissolving it.

Body Parts it's Good For: Legs only (depillatory cream is strong and it can cause rashes and irritation on the more sensitive skin of your armpits, bikini line, belly or face)

Pros: lasts longer than shaving (hair takes 1-2 weeks to grow back), painless, cheap

Cons: can irritate sensitive skin, some people don't like the smell

Make sure skin is clean before using a depillatory lotion. Follow the package directions for how to spread it on, how long to leave it and how to rinse it off properly.

WAXING

Waxing is a method of hair removal where warm or cold wax is spread on the skin, and a cotton or cloth strip is pressed down on top. The cloth strip is then firmly removed with a quick peeling action that pulls off the wax and any hair that was embedded into it. Waxing removes both the hair and its root.

Body Parts it's Good For: legs, armpits, bikini line, belly, arms, eyebrows, face, back

Pros: long-lasting (around 4 weeks with no regrowth), can be used everywhere

Cons: more expensive, painful, you have to let hair get 1/2 an inch long before waxing

Many girls and women rely on regular appointments at a professional salon for body and facial waxing. Some girls and women are comfortable doing the waxing themselves at home. There are several good home waxing kits sold at drugstores. If you wax at home, simply follow the package directions.

TWEEZING

You use tweezers to grip hair and yank it out by the root.

Body Parts it's Good For: small areas such as eyebrows, upper lip, or random belly hairs

Pros: cheap, easy

Cons: somewhat painful, definitely not practical for large areas of hair

Tweeze after a hot shower or bath so skin is soft and hair comes out more easily. Use clean tweezers with an angled tip.

ELECTROLYSIS

A certified technician uses a needle-shaped electrode to send electrical currents into hairs, weakening them and eventually "killing" the hair follicle.

Body Parts it's Good For: any areas, but smaller areas (such as upper lip hairs) are the most practical

Pros: after several sessions, hair is removed permanently (it never grows back)

Cons: painful, takes several very expensive sessions to work, time-consuming

No tips needed - since the technician does it for you.