How to Remove Armpit Hair

Last Updated: February 13, 2022 References Approved

Your armpits are a sensitive area, so choose the hair removal method that feels most comfortable to you. Shaving is the most popular option, since it can be done in just a minute or two. There's also waxing and epilating, which have longer-lasting results, or you could use a depilatory cream to painlessly take the hair away. If you're looking for a permanent solution, make an appointment to get electrolysis.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Shaving

1
Wet your armpits with warm water. The process of shaving will go more smoothly if your skin is soft, supple and warm. Either shave in the shower or get your armpits wet with warm water before you begin.
- If you tend to get ingrown hairs, exfoliate your skin with a body scrub, too.^{[1]
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Tip: If you have sensitive skin, do the process at night to give your skin chance to rest overnight.
2
Raise your arm over your head. Raise it high over your head to make sure the armpit skin is nice and taut. This will prevent you from getting cuts or razor burn.
3
Apply some shaving cream or body wash. Cover all of the hair with a product that will help the razor run over your skin smoothly. If you don't use shaving cream or body wash, you could end up getting razor burn, so don't skip this important step.

Tip: In a pinch, you can use plain bar soap, shampoo, or conditioner. Work these into a lather before applying them.
4
Use a sharp, new razor. Using a dull or rusty razor has more than one drawback. You won't get a close shave, you're more likely to get nicked, and you could even end up with an ingrown hair or an infection. Make sure the razor is in good condition.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator
Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.}
- Keep in mind that it's much easier to transfer bacteria on a razor blade, especially if the blade isn't changed often.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Melissa Jannes
  Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator
  Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.}
5
Shave the hair against the direction of growth. Everyone's hair grows a little differently under the armpit.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator
Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.} Yours might all grow in one direction, or it might sprout in many different directions. Make an effort to shave against the direction of growth for a cleaner shave. Carefully shave away the hair, wetting the razor in between strokes if necessary.
6
Rinse your armpit and repeat on the other side. Wash away the excess shaving cream and check your armpit to make sure the hair has been removed. Do a touch-up if necessary, then repeat the process on the other side.
7
Wait an hour or two to apply deodorant. Shaving may leave tiny nicks in your skin, so give them a chance to heal before you apply a product. If you put deodorant on right away, it could sting or cause a rash.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using Depilatory Cream

1
Choose a cream meant for sensitive areas. Depilatory cream comes in various strengths. Some is meant for sensitive spots like the face and armpits, while other formulas are designed to take off thick leg hair. Start with the cream for sensitive areas; if it doesn't work well, you can always try the extra-strength stuff later.
- Using cream that's too strong for your skin can leave you with a rash.
- When in doubt, pick one that's meant for the face.
- Depilatory creams dissolve armpit hair at skin level. The process is pretty similar to shaving!^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Melissa Jannes
  Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator
  Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.}
2
Wash your armpits first. Rinse away deodorant and sweat so you're applying the cream to freshly washed skin. Pat your armpits dry with a towel.
3
Raise your arm above your head. Make sure the skin is pulled taut. Get into a comfortable position you can hold for a few minutes, since you'll need to hold your arm upright the whole time you're using the cream.
4
Apply the cream over the area with hair. Try not to apply it to the bare skin surrounding your hair. Use only as much as needed to cover the hair.
5
Wait for the recommended amount of time. Keep your arm raised and let the cream go to work. Most creams recommend waiting three to ten minutes to let the chemicals dissolve the hair. Do not leave the cream on your skin longer than the recommended amount of time.
- The cream may sting a little, but it shouldn't burn or be painful. If you feel pain, wash it off.
Tip: If this is the first time you've used depilatory cream, rinse it off after one minute to make sure it isn't causing an allergic reaction; look for redness, itching and bumps. Reapply if your skin seems to be fine.
6
Rinse your armpit and repeat on the other side. Follow the same process, applying the cream over your hair and allowing it to work for the recommended amount of time. Rinse when you're finished.
7
Wait a few hours before applying deodorant. This gives your skin time to heal after the treatment and reduces the chance that the deodorant will irritate your armpits.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Waxing

1
Make sure your armpit hair is between 1/4 an ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) long. This is the easiest length to manage when it comes to waxing. If your hair is shorter, the wax won't be able to grip it. If it's longer, it could become tangled and difficult to manage. If necessary, wait a few extra days for it to grow or trim your armpit hair to the correct length.
- Two weeks of hair growth is a good amount for waxing.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Melissa Jannes
  Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator
  Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.}
2
Get your waxing kit ready. Any type of body wax works well for removing armpit hair.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Karina Villalta
Certified Esthetician
Expert Interview. 19 August 2020.} Most kits come with a pot of wax that needs to be heated up in a microwave or in a special wax warmer. The kit will also have applicators and cloth strips you use to pull off the hardened wax.
- Warm your wax according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Tip: Test the wax on the back of your hand to make sure it's not too hot.
3
Exfoliate and wash your armpits. Use a body scrub or a loofah to remove dead skin and dirt, then rinse your armpits clean. This will make the waxing process easier and prevent infection from occurring.
4
Dust your armpits with baby powder. The powder dries your armpits and keeps the wax from sticking to your skin when you pull it off. Turning on a fan or opening a window can also help to keep your armpits dry during the process.
5
Raise your arm over your head. Raise it all the way up, so your armpit skin is taut. This will help the hairs come out more easily and keep the process as pain-free as possible.
6
Apply the wax and wax strip. Dip the applicator into the wax and spread a small amount on your armpit hairs in the direction of your hair growth. Place a cloth strip on top of the wax and press down lightly.
7
Pull off the strip against the direction of growth. Do it quickly, like you'd pull off a bandaid. If you go too slowly, the wax won't pull out your armpit hair cleanly. It will also hurt more if you go slowly.
- If you have trouble pulling it off, your skin may not be taut. Try bending your elbow and using your fingers to hold your skin taut while you use your other hand to pull off the strip.
- You may also be sweating a bit, causing your armpit to get wet. Try turning on a fan to cool things off.
8
Repeat until the hair is gone. Depending on how much hair you have, it might take two or three wax applications per armpit to get the job done. Finish the first armpit, then move on to the second. You can pull out stray hairs using a tweezers when you're finished.
9
Use almond oil or another lubricant to condition your armpits. This will soothe your armpits and help remove extra bits of wax that are clinging to your skin.
10
Wait a few hours before applying deodorant. If you apply it right away, your skin might feel irritated. Wait at least a few hours before applying any products.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using an Epilator

1
Make sure your armpit hair is just a few millimeters long. This is the easiest length to manage when it comes to using an epilator. If it's longer, it could become tangled and difficult to manage in the epilator device. It may help to shave your armpits one to two days before epilating, to make sure your hair is just the right length when you start.
2
Dust your armpits with baby powder. An epilator is a small machine with rotating heads that pull out the hair. Like waxing, the results can last for weeks, but the process can be a little painful.^{[8]
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Research source} Make sure your armpits are completely dry by dusting them with baby powder.

Tip: This helps ensure your skin won't get caught in the machine.
3
Raise your arm above your head. Raise it high so that your armpit skin is very taut. If your skin is bunched, it could get pinched in the epilator.
4
Turn the epilator to a low setting. Using the lower setting at first will help you get used to the feeling of having your hair pulled.
5
Lightly run it over your armpit to remove a layer of hair. Keep it slightly away from the surface of your skin at first. As the hairs are pulled you'll feel a pinch similar to what you'd feel during waxing. Soon you'll get used to the feeling of having your hair pulled, and you'll be ready to move to the next step.
6
Turn the epilator to a higher setting and apply it closer to your skin. Now you can get all the stray hairs that didn't come out the first time around. Keeping your skin taut, finish the job on the higher setting.
7
Repeat on the other side. Start on the lower setting first, then move to the higher setting. Continue until your armpit is completely hair free.
8
Apply aloe or witch hazel to soothe your skin. Your armpits will feel red and irritated, so soothe them with aloe right when you're finished.
9
Wait several hours to apply deodorant. Applying it right away could sting or cause a rash, so wait at least a few hours.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Getting Electrolysis

1
Have a consultation at a salon. If you're interested in electrolysis, it's important to go to a salon with a good reputation. Have an initial consultation so you can learn about the process and lay out a plan.
- Electrolysis involves destroying individual hair follicles with chemical or heat energy for permanent hair removal.^{[9]
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Note: Make sure the salon uses needle electrolysis, which is the only permanent form of hair removal.
2
Attend your first hair removal session. The treatment will last fifteen minutes to one hour. Some people find the process painless, while others describe it as uncomfortable. Depending on how much hair you have, you may have to return for further sessions.
3
Tend to your armpits as directed. Your skin will be red and swollen after your session, so you'll want to treat it gently. Apply aloe or another ointment recommended by the salon you visited.^{[10]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you get rid of armpit hair without shaving?

Karina Villalta
Certified Esthetician
Karina Villalta is a certified Esthetician and Owner of Oh Sweet and Sugar and Shears, a skincare and hair removal service located in Seattle and Kirkland, Washington. With over eight years of experience, Karina specializes in eyebrow shaping, a hair removal technique called sugaring, and organic facials. Karina started her career and was trained at Benefit Cosmetics Brow Bar. Since opening her own business, Karina ensures her clients are educated about their skin and helps them implement personalized skincare routines.

Karina Villalta

Certified Esthetician

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

You can try sugaring. When sugaring, hair is removed from the root each time. This makes the hair much finer and sparser over time. For best results, try to maintain the practice every 2-3 weeks or so. You can make your own sugar paste at home using sugar, lemon juice, and water.
Question

Is it normal to have armpit hairs that are two inches long at the age of twelve?

Community Answer

Yes, this is completely normal. Since you have just started puberty, this can start to happen.
Question

Does the hair grow back?

Community Answer

Yes. The hair will grow back, regardless of what method you use. The hair will grow back faster with some methods (ie: shaving) and slower with other methods (ie: waxing).

Warnings

You could get a razor burn. It burns underneath your armpit and the sensation doesn't go away for a while.

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If you press too hard or your razor isn't your type, you could cut yourself during the process.

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