If in salon hair removal treatments are not in your budget, you have several DIY options.

Home electrolysis

Hair removal kits which require you to insert a needle into the hair follicle are available on the internet, but we haven't seen them in stores here. Avoid them. The treatment is painful and there is a risk of scarring and infection.

Shaving

It's easy and quick, but after the hair has been removed the regrowth is bristly and takes only a few days. Contrary to common belief, shaving does not make your hair grow faster, darker, coarser or thicker. Age does that, without any help from you. Electric shavers are expensive ($50 for a bikini trimmer to $120 for a rechargeable shaver) but there's no risk of nicks, and you can use them dry. You can research electric shaver reviews which can help you find the right product for you.

Depilating creams

They act like a chemical razor blade, but after this hair removal tratment you get bristly regrowth. The creams contain thioglycollate, a chemical used in perming solutions to weaken hair so it can be reshaped. In depilating creams it dissolves the protein structure of hair, causing it to separate easily at the skin surface. They can be smelly and messy to apply, although some brands have roll-on applicators.

Creams can irritate the skin, so follow the manufacturers' recommendations: don't leave them on too long or use them on inflamed or broken skin, and try a small patch of hidden skin first.

Most hair removal creams cost less than $15, but for sensitive skin such as underarms, the face and bikini line, you'll usually pay more.

Epilators

They look like electric shavers, but have coils which trap the hair and pull it out. Cost: $80 to $140.

Waxing

Home hair removal waxing treatments are applied warm or cold and there's no waiting for them to harden. Wax strips are a lot more convenient than pot waxes: you peel off the backing strip and lay it on the skin, then pull it off.

Bleaching

This can make body hair less visible and can be useful between waxes and for areas like the forearms that aren't dark enough for other treatments. You usually have to mix bleach and activator creams before you use them. Use a patch test to check for irritation.