From depilatories to high-tech lasers, taking it all off - facial and body hair, that is - is now easier than ever.

Remember the days when removing unwanted body hair meant borrowing your husband's shaving kit? Ouch! Thankfully, we've come a long way since then. Manufacturers and salons are tapping into the latest national obsession: achieving silky-smooth skin. Right now, there are so many hair removal methods on the market - promising to tweeze, wax, dissolve, zap, even light your way to smoother skin - that it's hard to know what product will do the best job for you.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

When choosing a method, your own hair growth cycle (i.e. how long it takes before your hair will grow back) should be your first consideration. Hair growth is unique to every individual; having a handle on your personal pattern makes all the difference between making the right choices and watching your money (along with your unwanted hair) go down the drain.

Your threshold for pain should be your next concern. (I bet some of you might have put this one first!) Granted, just about every hair removal method involves some kind of discomfort, whether it be a stinging sensation, or redness that can last up to two days. But beyond this, if you know that the idea of applying hot wax or electric current to your hair follicles makes you a little squeamish, you should probably opt for a less intensive form of treatment.

Time constraints should also be taken into consideration. Some more permanent methods of hair removal, such as electrolysis, may require several repeat visits after the initial treatment, taking as long as a half-hour or longer, to complete the process.

And let's not forget about the cost factor: as a general rule, the more permanent the treatment, the greater your out-of-pocket expenses will be.

To help you navigate the hair-raising task of hair removal, we've compiled a quick and painless guide for getting that sleek, well-groomed look you're after.

TWEEZING

The Process: A tweezing instrument is used to pluck away individual hair follicles. Generally reserved for facial areas such as eyebrows and chin.

Pros: Minimal time investment on your part; a professional can customize the brow shape to suit your facial features.

Cons: Redness, irritation and sometimes pimples can appear in and around the area that has been plucked. (We recommend having a cortisone cream on hand that you can apply to the sensitive area.)

Cost: Anywhere from $5 and up.

SHAVING

THE PROCESS: The skin is drenched with water, then covered with a moisturizing shaving cream (if one expressly made for women isn't available, a men's version will suffice). A razor (preferably one custom-made for womanly contours) is then used to remove the hair, followed by a moisturizer to soothe the skin. Most often used on the underarm and leg areas.

Pros: Quick and inexpensive, easy to do at home.

Cons: Method usually doesn't last long; stubble reappears quickly; possibility of nicks and cuts on the skin if you shave too closely, which could lead to infection; can encourage ingrown hairs.

Cost: $3 and up.

DEPILATORY CREAMS

The Process: A chemically-based over-the-counter product that dissolves the hair on the skin's surface is applied to a specific area for a limited amount of time, then either wiped or rinsed off. Typically used on upper lip, bikini line and legs.

Pros: Easy to apply; inexpensive; widely available.

Cons: Risk of an allergic reaction to the chemicals; stinging sensation; unpleasant odor; messy application. (To minimize irritation, try not to exfoliate beforehand and be sure to follow up with a thorough rinsing and moisture-rich cream.

Cost: $5 and up.

SUGARING

The Process: This natural method of hair removal originated with the ancient Egyptians. A lukewarm sugar-based paste is applied and removed by hand using a gentle rolling motion.

Pros: The sugar sticks only to the hair and not the skin, minimizing irritation; can last up to six weeks; good for removing hair from large areas.

Cons: Process is time-consuming; most effective when done by a professional, which can be costly.

Cost: Home kits usually start around $8; a professional job can cost anywhere from $20-$70 depending on the size of the area of hair that needs to be covered.

WAXING

The Process: Waxes - from paraffin types to aloe vera to soy-based - are heated, then applied directly onto the treatment area following the direction of the hair growth. The wax and hair are removed using either a linen or a paper strip that is applied to the area then peeled off in the opposite direction of the hair growth. Most frequently used on legs, facial hair and the bikini line, the results can last up to two months.

Pros: An instantly smooth appearance; long-lasting results; most effective for use on large areas such as legs, abdomen and arms.

Cons: Stinging sensation, irritation and soreness after removal; must wait a certain period of time (usually at least 2 weeks) before you can wax again or risk irritation; can't use moisturizer immediately after the process because it will clog the pores.

Cost: An average of $8 for a store-bought kit; from $25 and up for a half leg or bikini wax at a reputable salon.

THREADING

The Process: A trained professional takes a thread of twisted cotton and rolls it over the hair removal area; hairs are caught in the cotton and pulled out from the hair root.

Pros: Lasts longer because hair is being removed at the root.

Cons: Time-consuming and, because it's best done by a professional, can be costly.

Cost: Comparable to other salon treatments such as sugaring or waxing.

ELECTROLYSIS

The Process: Using sterilized instruments, a licensed professional uses a thin needle to apply electric current to the hair follicle, thereby deadening the hair. Works best on small areas like the upper lip. Desired results can take from six months to a year.

Pros: The process is irreversible, meaning no more unwanted hair.

Cons: Most hairs require a few treatments before the follicle dies, which increases the expense; slight risk of infection or scarring around the treatment area. (We recommend that you do a patch test on a small, inconspicuous area first to be sure your skin can tolerate the procedure.) To minimize irritation, which can be intense, a topical anesthetic can be applied prior to the procedure; you may also want to take an aspirin or ibuprofen tablet.

Cost: From $20 for a 15-minute treatment to $55 and up for an hour, depending on the size of the area you want treated.

LASER

The Process: Much like electrolysis, laser (Light Amplification by the Stimulated Emission of Radiation) treatment is applied directly to the follicle. The type and sensitivity of your skin will determine how intense the treatment will be. You should consult with your doctor about the risks as well as how to prepare your skin for the procedure. (Tanning or other methods of hair removal prior to the laser procedure could cause complications.)

Pros: With consistent treatments, hair removal lasts from two to six months.

Cons: Because lasers cannot tell the difference between melanin in your skin and melanin that's in your hair, there's a risk of skin damage. There is also the risk of skin discoloration if the laser intensity is not adjusted to suit your skin type, as well as stinging and irritation (which can be minimized by prepping the skin with a prescription moisturizer such as Emla Cream prior to the service). It is also a time-consuming process.

Cost: From $275 for smaller areas to $1,500 and up for larger areas.

With all of these options at your disposal, that smooth-as-a-baby's bottom skin is sure to be just a razor's edge, strip or smear away.

Vanessa Bush has covered the beauty and fashion scene for a host of magazines including Glamour and Honey, and is currently an editor at Essence. Vanessa is a frequent contributor to BeautyWalk. She is the co-author, with supermodel Tyra Banks, of Tyra's Beauty Inside & Out. Vanessa and her family make their home in New Jersey.

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