Summer body: hair removal products on test

Better than waxing

Anyone who's had professional waxing will remember the burning sensation and irritated skin. That's because traditional waxing only coats one side of the hair and sticks to the skin, causing trauma to the top layers. It's also more likely to cause hair breakage, which can result in fast regrowth and ingrown hairs. But the latest salon treatments have been devised to avoid these downsides.

First up is Guinot Epil Smart (from £38, 0800 590094), which uses a specially formulated resin to envelop each hair, ensuring even the finest strands are pulled out from the root. Gentle on the skin and with a pleasant smell, the resin is applied at body temperature with a heated spatula. For more sensitive areas such as the face and bikini line, Guinot Stick'Hair (from £26) is applied using a special notched spatula. This lifts each hair, coating them even more effectively.

Already popular in the US, Alexandria Body Sugaring (from £15 for a half leg, 01395 226622) looks set to be a hit here, too. The therapist smoothes on the 100 per cent natural paste, which reaches down into the follicle, allowing even hairs as short as 1mm to be whipped out. Lina Kennedy, who devised the system, says that with regular treatment, you can even expect regrowth to be minimised to the point that you're practically hair-free. Our tester didn't have time to put those claims to the test, but was so impressed she said she'd never go back to waxing.

If you prefer to do it yourself at home, check out the new Simply Wax range, from £6.99 (020 8573 9907), devised by waxing queen Otylia Roberts. It doesn't get over the problem of tearing some hairs rather than ripping them all out from the root, but products such as Simply Wax Hair Removal Wax Strips (£7.99) are great for a quick fix.

The cutting-edge gadgets

The no-fuss way to defuzz just got even easier, thanks to the latest crop of razors. Queen of... Smooth L'Azor System Razor (£3.99 from Sainsbury's) has to be the most lightweight and easy-to-handle razor yet. The unique wishbone head allows you to follow every contour and curve - in fact, it glides along so effortlessly, you could end up with nicks around the knees and ankles if you're not careful! It comes with two long-lasting cartridges, making it great value, too.

Meanwhile, the built-in gel bars of the Gillette Venus Spa Breeze (£7.99, from Boots) provide a white-tea scented skin-conditioning lather for a smooth shave. The firm-grip handle gives great control, too.

More high-tech is the new Braun Silkepil Xpressive Pro (£129.99, Amazon, Argos and Boots). This updated version of the ‘wet and dry' epilator can now remove hairs as short as ½mm, so you don't have to wait for regrowth. And because it pulls out hair from the root without interfering with the skin, it won't trouble a tan, either.

Tip

Extend the life of your razor by rinsing it regularly

DIY lasers

If the thought of ridding yourself of unwanted hair forever in the comfort of your own home appeals, then think about investing in a Philips Lumea Intense Pulsed Light Hair Removal System (£400, Boots, Amazon and Argos). It delivers gentle, effective pulses of light to the root of the hair, rendering it inactive. Our tester found it easy and quick to use, and not painful, although she felt an unusual warm sting that she got used to very quickly. She thought it was ‘absolutely worth' the price tag.

The Remington I-Light is slightly cheaper (£349.99 from Boots, Amazon and Argos), but works best on legs rather than bikini line and underarms.

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