9 DIY Hair Removal Techniques You Can Try at Home (2025)

Natural hair removal options have been the go-to for centuries and still prove to be effective today. DIY hair removal may require a few more steps than slathering on a storebought wax or depilatory cream, but what you sacrifice in time pays dividends in completely natural ingredients. Plus, they're less expensive than anything you're likely to add to your shopping cart. Not quite convinced? We reached out to two dermatologists and a hair removal expert to find out what methods work for at-home hair removal.

Meet the Experts

  • Annie Gonzalez, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based at Miami's Riverchase Dermatology.
  • Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in New York City.
  • Courtney Claghorn is the founder of hair removal and tanning company SUGARED + BRONZED.

Check out these easy at-home hair removal techniques for smoother skin in no time.

Sugaring

"Sugaring is an old technique that uses a combination of sugar, lemon juice, and water to remove hair. The mixture is mostly sugar, typically around a cup, with 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of water," says Nazarian of the mixture, which is then boiled on a stove top.

Stir the sugar mixture until it turns deep brown, then remove from heat and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Then, use it the same way you would wax (by spreading it over the skin and removing it with a gentle pull). Remove the sugar with water to clean skin (unlike waxing, which requires a special product to remove all of its residue).

"My concern is always with the variations and how much people are mixing; the pH of the mixture may vary greatly from that of skin, increasing risk of irritation, or chemical burns—so always proceed with caution," says Nazarian. "The way it works is by gripping to hair more than gripping to skin—so it can be used to remove the hair from the root, and if done properly, not irritate skin.Many people apply a light powder on the skin before starting to buffer the skin surface."

Sugaring is preferred by many over waxing because it’s gentler to the skin and doesn't stick as much as waxing does. Less pulling not only equals less pain, but there may also be less chance of skin irritation, redness, inflammation, and bruising. Those with sensitive skin especially love this method.

Sugared Gel

You can also heat up the sugar mixture in the microwave and use it as a gel, in a hair removal process done similarly to waxing. (Once you remove the mix from the microwave, "the mixture should be a brownish color," board-certified dermatologist Dr.Annie Gonzalez adds.)

Gel is the better option for those new to removing hair from the root or who have some experience waxing. Plus, "You can remove hair in the arms, legs, underarms, and bikini area," Gonzalez says.

It’s an easier technique than the paste, but you’ll need at least 1/4" of hair growth and a bit more items like strips and applicators. "If [hair] is any longer, the molding process can be painful," says Courtney Claghorn, founder of hair removal and tanning company Sugared + Bronzed.

As Claghorn notes, with sugaring, "there’s no need to lighten hair because sugar paste removes all of the hair!Sugaring will, however, refine hair growth over time."

Honey Wax

High in sugar content and loaded with skin-loving benefits, honey wax has been a hair removal staple for centuries. Similar to the aforementioned sugar alternatives, this combination mixes lemon juice and water with honey to create a sticky wax.

Key Ingredients

Honey is a humectant with antimicrobial properties that moisturizes, hydrates, and clarifies the skin while soothinginflammation.

Boil 1 cup of honey with a half cup of equal parts water and lemon juice until combined. Let simmer until the consistency has become thick and concentrated, approximately 15 minutes. Once cool but still pliable, apply to the skin as you would a wax and cover with cloth waxing strips. Pull the strips off against the direction of the hair growth, taking all those unwanted hairs with it.

Fruit Wax

Prefer a hard wax? Look no further than your local produce section. Much like honey (which produces a contrastingly warm soft wax that requires strips), fruit can also be boiled down to create a waxy substance chocked full of skincare benefits and antioxidants. Plus, it has natural enzymes with exfoliating properties that will work overtime to refine the underlying skin.

Combine a 2:1 ratio of your preferred fruit (pureed) with granulated sugar and add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Boil until smooth, then let simmer for 15-20 minutes until you've achieved a thick and luxurious consistency. Let cool until warm and malleable, and apply to the skin. Skip the wax strips altogether, and simply pull the fruit wax against the direction of hair growth to reveal smooth, supple, hair-free skin beneath.

Supercharge your fruit wax by using papaya, which contains the enzyme papain, as your base. Papain has been shown to have a natural depilatory effect and is used in many cosmeceutical treatments for excess hair growth.

Turmeric

"Turmeric is known to lighten the skin and slow hair growth," says Gonzalez. "You can use it to remove facial hair and reduce your hair growth rate."

It’s also easy to use yourself: "all you have to do is mix one tablespoon of milk with three tablespoons of turmeric powder," Gonzalez says. "Then, place this mixture in the same direction as hair growth on the facial hair you would like to remove. Leave the mixture on your skin for about twenty minutes or until it is dry. Next, wet your hands, wet the mixture slightly, and scrub your skin in small circular motions. Finally, wash off with lukewarm water."

Baking Soda

One of the most common ingredients in your kitchen could also help you bid adieu to extra hair. "Baking soda is also great for removing unwanted hair, lightening dark parts of the skin, and decreasing hair growth," says Gonzalez.

"First, you’ll need to mix a few drops of lemon juice with asmall amount of baking soda. Then, add water to the mix to make the mixture thick. Next, apply the mixture to the unwanted hair and leave it on the skin for about 15 minutes. Lastly, wash off with lukewarm water."

Pumice Stone

While a pumice stone isn't going to go as deep as, say, a sugaring wax, it can help remove unwanted loose hairs. You have to be gentle, though, using a dry pumice stone on clean skin and working it in small, circular motions.

"Although it is also somewhat effective, it is concurrently physically exfoliating your skin the same time it’s pulling the hairs out. This makes it a very aggressive option for people with sensitive skin," says Nazarian of the technique.

Byrdie Tip

You can also use a pumice stone on the heels of your feet for an at-home pedicure.

Egg White Mask

Like the pumice stone, this method won't get super-deep, but it can work on light facial hair. "Mixing cornflour with an egg white creates a paste-like concoction that’s applied to skin and allowed to dry," says Nazarian. "It’s removed similarly to a wax, and pulls hairs out from the root."

As Gonzalez explains, removing any sort of wax-like product should be conducted with caution: "Make sure the skin is dry, and apply in the opposite direction of hair growth. Then, lift the hairs, and rip them off in the direction of hair growth."

Oats

Oatmeal is a natural exfoliating agent, so it makes sense that it's included in our hair removal roundup. In a blender or food processor, grind oats until they are a breadcrumb consistency. Then, mix in a ripe, mashed banana to form a scrub. Apply evenly to skin and leave on for 15 minutes. After that time, scrub in a circular motion against the direction of hair growth, and rinse with water.

This method works well for those with sensitive skin as oats are hypoallergenic and the banana is a good form of added hydration.

FAQ

  • Is DIY hair removal at home better than professional services?

    According to Nazarian, "many of the at-home recipes for hair removal are somewhat successful, but also more high risk than traditional hair-removal methods," as the latter are done by trained professionals.

  • Does toothpaste remove hair?

    There is no evidence that toothpaste can be used for body hair removal.

  • Does hydrogen peroxide remove body hair?

    Hydrogen peroxide can be used to bleach or lighten unwanted body hair, but it will not remove the hair follicle.

9 DIY Hair Removal Techniques You Can Try at Home (2025)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 6179

Rating: 4 / 5 (41 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.