For years, I relied on shaving for hair removal, enduring the daily regrowth, irritation, and endless razor expenses. Then I discovered waxing, which—though slightly painful—keeps me hair-free for weeks. But is waxing the best option? Or could laser hair removal be a cost-effective long-term solution?

There are several hair removal methods, each with its pros, cons, and costs. Whether you're looking for an affordable at-home solution or a long-term investment in smoother skin, here are the options to consider.

1. Embrace the Natural Look

Letting body hair grow naturally is the most budget-friendly and eco-conscious choice. It saves time and eliminates the cost of razors, waxing, or laser treatments. Some women confidently embrace their natural hair, avoiding irritation and the hassle of frequent removal.

Pros:
✔ Completely free – no cost at all
✔ No irritation or side effects from shaving or waxing
✔ The most environmentally friendly option

Cons:
✖ May not be everyone’s personal preference
✖ Social pressure can make it feel less acceptable
✖ Some people find longer body hair uncomfortable

2. Shaving: Cheap but High Maintenance

Shaving is one of the most affordable and convenient hair removal methods. A good-quality razor and shaving cream can cost just a few pounds, making it an easy at-home solution. However, daily or frequent shaving leads to recurring costs, skin irritation, and the risk of cuts. If you're looking for a long-term solution, shaving can become a costly habit over time.

Money-saving tip: Invest in a reusable safety razor to cut down on disposable razor costs and reduce waste.

I personally love using FFS Beauty razor blades – they give such a close shave, and both my husband and I subscribe to their service. It’s super convenient as the blades are delivered straight to our door, meaning we never run out.

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Pros:
✔ Quick and easy to do at home
✔ Inexpensive compared to professional treatments
✔ Works on all body areas

Cons:
✖ Hair grows back quickly – often within 24 hours
✖ Can cause cuts, irritation, and razor burn
✖ Long-term cost of razors and shaving cream adds up

Zero waste razor from Etsy

3. Waxing: A Longer-Lasting Solution

Waxing removes hair from the root, meaning smooth skin for up to four weeks. It’s more expensive than shaving, with salon visits costing £20–£50 per session, depending on the area treated. However, many find it a worthwhile investment, as it reduces the need for daily maintenance.

Over time, waxing can lead to finer hair regrowth, meaning fewer treatments. If you prefer a DIY approach, at-home waxing kits offer a more budget-friendly alternative.

Pros:
✔ Hair-free for up to a month
✔ Hair regrows softer and finer over time
✔ No daily maintenance needed

Cons:
✖ Can be painful, especially for beginners
✖ Professional waxing can be expensive
✖ Requires hair to grow to a certain length before re-waxing

100% Natural & Vegan Sugar Wax Hair Removal

4. Hair Removal Creams: Quick but Temporary

Hair removal creams dissolve hair at the surface, offering a painless alternative to shaving. While some find them effective, results are short-lived, similar to shaving, and costs add up over time. Plus, many creams contain strong chemicals, which may not suit sensitive skin.

Pros:
✔ Painless and easy to use
✔ Works quickly – usually within 5–10 minutes
✔ No risk of cuts or razor burn

Cons:
✖ Results don’t last much longer than shaving
✖ Some creams have strong chemical smells
✖ Can cause irritation or allergic reactions for sensitive skin

Hair removal cream, natural vegan formula

5. Bleaching: A Solution for Facial Hair

Bleaching doesn’t remove hair but lightens it, making it less visible. This is a popular option for facial hair, particularly for those with darker hair. While affordable, bleaching requires regular upkeep and doesn’t offer the smooth finish of other methods.

Pros:
✔ Quick and painless
✔ No risk of ingrown hairs or irritation
✔ Great for small areas like upper lip hair

Cons:
✖ Doesn’t actually remove hair – just makes it less visible
✖ Needs regular upkeep as hair grows out
✖ May cause skin irritation, especially for sensitive skin

6. Laser Hair Removal: The Ultimate Long-Term Investment

A much easier-sounding hair removal option I have never tried, but would like to, is laser hair removal. Unlike shaving or waxing, laser treatment targets hair follicles to reduce regrowth permanently. While the upfront cost may seem high if you're wondering if laser hair removal is expensive, it can actually save money in the long run by eliminating the need for razors, waxing appointments, or hair removal creams.

At Pulse Light Clinic and Luxwax, laser hair removal treatments vary in price depending on the area being treated but they both offer affordable laser hair removal. LuxWax offers single treatments starting at £45, with a recommendation of 3–6 sessions for long-term hair reduction. Pulse Light Clinic provides financing options, allowing clients to spread the cost over twelve months with 0% interest, making laser hair removal more accessible.

Why Laser Hair Removal is Worth the Investment:

✔ Permanent hair reduction – Say goodbye to daily shaving or monthly waxing.
✔ Saves money over time – No need for regular salon treatments or razors.
✔ Time-efficient – Treatments are quick, and results last for years.

How Does Laser Hair Removal Work?

Rather than explaining it myself, here’s how Pulse Light Clinic describes the process:

“Laser hair removal works by targeting the hair follicle with laser light. This energy damages and goes on to destroy the hair follicle, stopping it from producing further hairs. The laser delivers an intense beam of light, which is absorbed by the hair follicle while the surrounding tissue remains unaffected.”

Dead hairs take 1–3 weeks to be shed from the skin, and these hairs won’t grow back, resulting in permanent hair reduction. However, because not all hair follicles are active at once, multiple treatments are required to target all growing hairs. Sessions are usually spaced 4–6 weeks apart, depending on the area being treated.

Then, you’re done. No more shaving, no more waxing – ever! The long-term benefits of laser hair removal can make it a worthwhile investment for those tired of the endless cycle of hair removal.

Pros & Cons of Laser Hair Removal

Pros:
✔ Significantly reduces hair growth long-term
✔ Saves time and money in the long run
✔ No more daily shaving or painful waxing

Cons:
✖ Requires multiple sessions for best results
✖ Can be expensive upfront (but financing options are available)
✖ Not as effective on light blonde, red, or grey hair

If you’re wondering how it works and if laser hair removal is effective then it’s probably easier I let Pulse Light Clinic explain in their own words. This video answers common questions and shows how the process works:

Then, you’re done.  No more shaving or waxing ever! There are so many benefits to laser hair removal.  I hope to get it one day.

It sounds amazing doesn’t it – a permanent solution to hair removal.  It's a permanent beauty treatment that will save time and money over a lifeti

Pros:
✔ Significantly reduces hair growth long-term
✔ Saves time and money in the long run
✔ No more daily shaving or painful waxing

Cons:
✖ Requires multiple sessions for best results
✖ Can be expensive upfront
✖ Not as effective on light blonde, red, or grey hair

7. Dermaplaning: Exfoliation & Hair Removal in One

Dermaplaning is a popular method for removing facial hair (peach fuzz) while also exfoliating the skin. Using a small, sterile blade, dermaplaning gently removes dead skin cells and fine hair, leaving the face smooth and glowing.

Pros:
✔ Painless and quick
✔ Improves makeup application
✔ Exfoliates for brighter skin

Cons:
✖ Requires regular upkeep
✖ Best performed by a professional for safety

Dermaplaning can be done at home with a dermaplaning tool, but professional treatments tend to offer better results. While it’s not a permanent solution, it can improve skin texture and give a flawless finish.

Eco-friendly dermaplane eyebrow razors

8. Crystal Hair Removers: A New Painless Option

Crystal hair removers are a newer, eco-friendly alternative to traditional shaving. These tools use fine, abrasive surfaces to buff away hair painlessly, without the need for razors or creams. Simply rub the crystal remover in circular motions over dry skin, and hair is removed with no irritation.

Pros:
✔ Painless and chemical-free
✔ Can be used multiple times
✔ Less irritation than shaving

Cons:
✖ Not as effective on thick or coarse hair
✖ Results vary depending on hair type

Crystal hair removers are gaining popularity as a sustainable and reusable alternative to shaving, making them a great budget-friendly option in the long run.

Crystal hair remover

9. Sugaring: A Natural Alternative to Waxing

Sugaring is similar to waxing but uses a paste made from natural ingredients like sugar, lemon, and water. It removes hair from the root and is often considered less painful than waxing.

Pros:
✔ More natural and less irritating than waxing
✔ Can be less painful as it pulls in the direction of hair growth
✔ Hair regrowth is softer and finer

Cons:
✖ Can be tricky to master at home
✖ Salon treatments can be expensive

Sugaring is a great option for those with sensitive skin who want a natural, less painful alternative to waxing. DIY sugaring kits are also available for at-home use, making it a budget-friendly choice.

10. Epilation: Long-Lasting but Can Be Painful

Epilators are small handheld devices that remove hair from the root using multiple tiny tweezers. They provide smooth skin for weeks, similar to waxing, but without the need for salon visits.

Pros:
✔ Removes hair for up to 4 weeks
✔ Can be done at home, reducing long-term costs
✔ No mess or chemicals

Cons:
✖ Can be painful, especially for first-time users
✖ Some people experience ingrown hairs

Epilators can be a good investment if you’re looking for a long-lasting hair removal method that avoids razors and creams. They’re especially effective for legs and underarms.

Funny go pluck yourself tweezers

11. Threading: Precision Hair Removal for the Face

Threading is a technique that uses twisted cotton thread to remove hair at the follicle level. It’s mainly used for eyebrows and facial hair and offers precise shaping.

Pros:
✔ More precise than waxing for facial hair
✔ Less irritating than waxing
✔ Results last 3–6 weeks

Cons:
✖ Can be slightly painful
✖ Best done by a professional

Threading is a great option for shaping eyebrows and removing unwanted facial hair without using chemicals or heat.

12. Electrolysis: The Only Permanent Hair Removal Method

Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved permanent hair removal method. It uses an electric current to destroy hair follicles, preventing regrowth completely.

Pros:
✔ 100% permanent results
✔ Works on all hair colours and skin tones
✔ No need for future maintenance once complete

Cons:
✖ Expensive and requires multiple sessions
✖ Can be painful
✖ Time-consuming for larger areas

While electrolysis is a bigger financial investment, it’s the only guaranteed way to permanently stop hair growth. If you’re looking for a one-time solution to hair removal, this might be worth considering.

Safety razor set from Etsy

13. At-Home IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) Devices: A DIY Alternative to Laser

At-home IPL devices are a more affordable alternative to professional laser hair removal. They use pulses of light to reduce hair growth over time, offering semi-permanent results.

Pros:
✔ Can reduce hair growth long-term
✔ More affordable than professional laser treatments
✔ Can be used on various body areas

Cons:
✖ Requires multiple sessions for noticeable results
✖ Doesn’t work well on light blonde, grey, or red hair
✖ Initial cost can be high (£100–£400 for a good device)

If you’re looking for a long-term hair removal solution without salon visits, IPL devices can be a worthwhile investment.

Final Thoughts: Which Hair Removal Method Saves the Most Money?

• Cheapest: Shaving, crystal hair removers, or going au naturel
• Best long-term investment: Laser hair removal, IPL, or electrolysis
• Most eco-friendly: Sugaring, threading, crystal hair removers
• Best for sensitive skin: Sugaring, dermaplaning, IPL

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but if you’re tired of the endless cycle of shaving and waxing, it might be worth investing in a longer-lasting option that saves money over time.

Which is the Best Hair Removal Method for You?

The best choice depends on your budget, lifestyle, and long-term goals. If you prefer an affordable and quick method, shaving or waxing works well. However, if you’re looking to invest in a long-term solution, laser hair removal could save both time and money over the years.