Your Options

The Brazilian wax is the reigning trend down there and several up-market parlours and skin clinics are now offering this service. Recommended only if you have a high level of pain-tolerance, this method calls for professional expertise.

If the thought of a bikini wax gives you the heebie-jeebies, you can turn to laser hair removal, depilatory creams or the handy 'ol razor to stay fuzz-free.

Fact Find: A bikini wax is sometimes followed by a condition called folliculitis (small red pus-filled boils) or ingrown hair, which can be very painful. And a patch test here is absolutely necessary, as any allergic reaction in this delicate area could be most uncomfortable.

At A Glance: The Pain, Pros and Cons

Procedure	Pain-O-Meter	Convenience	Price Factor	Areas Targeted
Waxing	Arrgh!	Monthly bother	Affordable	Arms, legs, back, mid-riff and bikini area
Epilating	Eeeps!	Time consuming	One time expense	Arms, legs and under-arms
Electrolysis	Ouch!	Multiple sittings	Not value for money	Upper lip and chin
Threading	Double Ouch!	Fortnightly	Cheap	Eyebrows, upper lip and chin
Laser Removal	Phew!	Multiple sittings	Expensive	All body parts
Depilating	Mmm!	Not for frequent use	Affordable	Arms, legs, bikini area and mid-riff
Shaving	Ah-ha!	Very convenient	Cheap	Arms, legs and under-arms
Prescription Creams	Hmm...	Daily use	Very expensive	Face

(With inputs from Dr Aparna Santhanam, Head Kaya Skin Advisory)

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