Step 1: Coarse hair is harder to remove. To start, trim hair to a half-inch. Or use a trimmer/razor combo like the Schick Quattro for Women TrimStyle, $10.99, pictured here.
Step 2: Prone to razor burn or ingrowns? Apply pre-shave oil or olive oil three minutes into your shower.
Step 3: Apply shaving cream generously (try Aveeno Positively Smooth Shave Gel, $3.99). On the first pass, pull skin taut and gently shave in the direction of hair growth.
Step 4: Reapply shaving cream and shave again, this time against the hair growth.
Step 5: Post-shower, apply fragrance-free, soothing moisturizer with aloe or chamomile (try St. Ives Intensive Healing Advanced Therapy Lotion, $5.79) to help prevent ingrown hairs.
Step 6: If you still get ingrowns, use an exfoliating treatment like Tend Skin, $29 to help the hair break through the skin. Don't tweeze or pick. Once hair breaks through the skin, "shave it off so it grows correctly," says Barredo.

The deal: Chemical creams such as Sally Hansen Naturally Bare Creme Hair Remover for Body, $8 and Bikini Zone Creme Hair Removal, $6.49 weaken hair so you can wipe it away.
The bonus: Delivers a longer period of smoothness than shaving, since hair is removed slightly below the skin's surface.
Best for: Fine hair and less sensitive areas like the arms and legs.
Avoid if: You're sensitive-skinned or coarse-haired (waxing or shaving will net better results).

The deal: Wax is applied to skin and removed with a cloth strip or by pulling the dried wax strip. Tip: Go to a waxing specialist who wears gloves and doesn't double dip sticks in the wax tub, and one where "they take longer, about 30 minutes, to do your wax -- it won't hurt as much," says Barshop.
The bonus: Three weeks of smoothness, since it pulls out the root.
Best for: Dark, coarse hair and those who get stubble or shadow immediately after shaving.
Avoid if: You can't stand any stubble, since you need a quarter to a half inch of hair in order to get a good wax. Also prepare for moderate pain when the wax is pulled off. Finally, the expense -- $30 to $60 average per month.

The deal: Use a kit like Sally Hansen Extra Strength Allover Body Wax Hair Removal Kit, $10.69, pictured here.
The bonus: Inexpensive, convenient.
Best for: Fine to medium hair growth.
Avoid if: "Leave Brazilian waxes to a specialist," says Barshop. Also, coarse or thick hair needs pro waxing.

The deal: Intense pulses of laser light target the hair's melanin and kill the follicle with heat. You'll need six to eight sessions ($200-$350 a pop). Note that it doesn't get rid of all your hair in the lasered area.
The bonus: Can completely eliminate ingrowns and reduces overall hair growth. Plus you can shave between sessions.
Best for: Those whose everyday life is affected by hair. "If you won't go on a date or go to the beach because you have hair growth, consider laser," Barshop says.
Avoid if: Your hair is lighter than your skin color, because the laser can't discern your hair from your skin. Also, consider your pain threshold; if waxing tortures you, laser will too.