Hair removal techniques with the kindest cut

Whether you're strutting around in a bikini or playing it safe in Bermuda shorts, one thing's for certain: You're going to need to take care of the hair on your legs, under your arms and even down there. Sure, hair removal is a chore, but most women consider it a necessity this time of year, sort of like mowing the lawn. Good thing the tools and techniques for hair removal have improved. We take a quick look at the most popular hair removal methods so you can find one that's right for you:

It's cheap, it's easy and it's fast, which is probably why shaving remains such a popular method of hair removal. The newest crop of razors come equipped with conditioning strips, fancy-sounding ingredients like acai berry and jojoba extract to prevent irritation, even a battery-operated trimmer to shape and "style" the bikini area. Post-shave, opt for clinically formulated lotions that fight ingrown hairs, razor burn and redness.

Best for: Underarms, legs and bikini line.

Lasts: Stubble returns in a day or two.

Downside: Razor burn, red bumps and stubbly regrowth.

Try: Gillette Venus Razor Plus Shave Gel Bars ($10 at drugstores); Schick Quattro for Women TrimStyle Razor ($12 at drugstores); Shaveworks the Cool Fix ($11 and up at Sephora).

Latin for "to deprive of hair," depilatory creams and lotions use chemical compounds that are high in acidity to break down the protein structure of the hair. Unlike waxing, which removes hair at the root, depilatories dissolve hair at or just below the skin's surface. Although they've gotten a rep for having a rotten-egg odor, the latest formulas have more pleasant scents.

Lasts: A week or less.

Downside: Messy. Can cause irritation or minor chemical burns, especially on sensitive skin.

Try: Completely Bare Completely Gone Hair Vanishing Lotion ($38 at completelybare.com); Veet Hair Removal Gel Cream ($7 at drugstores).

If you never want to think about body hair again, consider the laser approach. It zaps hair at the follicle, permanently destroying it and preventing future regrowth. The treatment can be uncomfortable, but newer techniques use pain-free lasers that require just six treatments, six weeks apart. If you want to go DIY, the TRIA is the only FDA-approved laser for at-home hair removal. Used biweekly, this hand-held device eliminates unwanted body hair in about six months.

Best for: Any area can be treated with a laser.

Downside: Depending on the type of laser, it may be unsuitable for fair or gray hair or dark skin, which can make it hard to detect the melanin in the follicle.

Try: The Metropolitan Clinic, 7300 France Av. S., Suite 300, Edina, 952-288-2230, www.themonfrance.com ($600 and up per area, 40 percent off through July); TRIA Hair Removal Laser ($395 at Nordstrom or triabeauty.com).

For longer-lasting results than shaving without the upfront investment of laser hair removal, waxing is the way to go. While this technique often conjures up cringe-worthy visions of dripping hot wax and ruthless ripping, new formulas allow for faster application and minimal discomfort. DIY waxing also has become an attractive option, thanks to heat-free, ready-to-use wax strips.

Best for: Bikini, underarms, legs and back and face (for men).

Lasts: Up to 4 weeks.

Try: European Wax Center, 3232 W. Lake St., Mpls., 612-353-5982, www.waxcenter.com (discount packages available); Bliss Poetic Waxing Strips ($25 to $36 at Sephora).