How to Make Armpit Hair Less Noticeable

Co-authored by Karina Villalta and Amy Bobinger

Last Updated: March 1, 2022 References

Armpit hair can sometimes be stubborn. Even if you shave, you might still have some visible stubble, especially if your hair is dark or thick. If you prefer not to shave your armpits, you still might wish the hair looked less obvious. While you're probably more worried about your armpit hair than anyone else is, if you feel self-conscious about it, there are steps you can take to help make your armpit hair less noticeable, from changing the way you shave to trying depilatory creams and laser hair removal.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Shaving the Hair

1
Spend a few minutes in a very warm shower to soften the hair. Before you start shaving, stand under the warm water from your shower. The heat and steam will help soften the hair under your armpits. This may help you get a closer shave, reducing the appearance of stubble in the short term.^{[1]
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- You can also soak in a warm bath if you prefer. Try to sink down low enough in the water that the hair touches your armpits.
2
Exfoliate with a loofah or scrub before you shave. Exfoliating sloughs away dead skin cells, which can help reduce ingrown hairs and give you a closer shave.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator
Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.} After you’ve been in the shower for a few minutes, use a loofah, washcloth, or a sugar scrub to exfoliate your armpits. Lightly scrub your skin in a circular motion, but don’t rub too hard, since you don’t want to irritate your skin.^{[3]
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- Sometimes, body hair can get trapped under a thin layer of skin. However, a razor blade can only cut through hairs above the skin. This can make you look like you have stubble, even right after you shave.
Did You Know? You can make your own sugar scrub by combining sugar and coconut or olive oil!

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3
Apply shaving cream or gel to your armpits. To get the closest, smoothest shave, you should use a shaving cream or gel. Dispense a small amount onto your fingertips, then rub it on your armpits to lather it up.^{[4]
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- You can do both armpits at once, or you can do one at a time if you prefer.
4
Hold your arm over your head to stretch the skin. Armpits can be tricky to shave because of the folds of skin when you have your arm down. To help pull the skin taut, stretch your arm up above your head. This will help prevent nicks while you’re shaving.^{[5]
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- You may also want to use your hand that’s holding the razor to pull the skin even tighter.
5
Shave your armpit from the bottom to the top. With your arm held above your head, hold the razor in your other hand and press it to your skin at the bottom of your armpit. Then, glide the razor all the way up your armpit in one smooth motion. You’ll probably need to repeat this 2-3 times to cover your whole armpit.^{[6]
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- Avoid shaving over the same place twice, which can lead to skin irritation.
6
Apply a soothing moisturizer after you dry off. Once you get out of the shower and towel off, take a small amount of lotion or body oil and apply it to your armpit. This can help soothe your skin, reducing the likelihood that you’ll end up with red, irritated pits.^{[7]
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- Try using a lotion for sensitive skin, if you have one.
- If you notice that your antiperspirant stings or burns after you shave, wait at least 5-10 minutes after shaving before you apply it. Spend 5-10 minutes doing something else, like drying your hair or picking out your outfit, before you put on your antiperspirant. If you shave at night, consider waiting until the morning to apply your antiperspirant.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Trying Other Hair Removal Techniques

1
Use trimmers or scissors if you want to thin the hair without removing it all. You don’t necessarily have to shave your pits to make them look a little tidier. Use a sharp pair of barber scissors or a pair of beard trimmers to get the hair down to a manageable length, instead. Work slowly and carefully to avoid any nicks in that area.^{[9]
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- Use one of the longer attachments on your trimmer if that’s what you’re using.^{[10]
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2
Wax to reduce the appearance of stubble. If you’re not getting the results you want from shaving, consider waxing your armpits instead. Visit a salon for a professional wax, or you can buy an at-home waxing kit if you want.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator
Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.} If you’re waxing the hair yourself, use barber scissors to trim the hair to about ¹⁄₄ in (0.64 cm), then apply a thick layer of the hot wax to your armpits. Lay one of the included cloth strips over the wax and let it harden, then pull the strip off in the opposite direction from your hair growth.^{[12]
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- Since waxing pulls the hair out from the roots, the results are often smoother than shaving, and typically last for several weeks. In addition, the hair may seem finer as it grows in, so your stubble won’t look as obvious as with shaving.^{[13]
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  Expert Source
  
  Melissa Jannes
  Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator
  Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.}
- If waxing is too painful, consider sugaring, which is a similar process using sugar, lemon juice, and water. Repeat the treatment every 2-3 weeks. Over time, you should notice the hair becoming thinner and sparser.^{[14]
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  Expert Source
  
  Karina Villalta
  Certified Esthetician
  Expert Interview. 11 August 2020.}
3
Apply a depilatory cream for painless hair removal. Depilatory creams, also called hair removal creams, break down the bonds in your hair.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Melissa Jannes
Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator
Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.} Choose a gentle formula, since the skin under your arms can be sensitive. Apply the cream according to the package instructions, then wipe or rinse the cream away.^{[16]
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- Be aware that these creams usually have a strong odor.
- If you have dark skin under your armpits, these creams can sometimes make them appear lighter.^{[17]
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- Depilatory creams remove hair at the skin level, just like shaving.^{[18]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Melissa Jannes
  Licensed Esthetician & Brazilian Wax Educator
  Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.}
4
Visit a doctor for electrolysis or laser hair removal. If you’ve tried different approaches and you’re still self-conscious about your underarm hair, visit a doctor or a dermatologist and ask them about options for hair removal. They may recommend electrolysis, which involves inserting tiny needles into the hair follicle, or laser hair removal, which uses lasers to destroy the hair follicle.^{[19]
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- In laser hair removal, it may take 6 or more sessions before you start to see results. However, after 8 or more sessions, you should notice that the hair is significantly reduced.^{[20]
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  Expert Source
  
  Karina Villalta
  Certified Esthetician
  Expert Interview. 11 August 2020.}
- These options can be expensive and are typically not covered by insurance. However, if you can afford it, they can be a long-term or even permanent solution to remove your underarm hair.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you get rid of armpit hair without shaving?

Karina Villalta
Certified Esthetician
Karina Villalta is a certified Esthetician and Owner of Oh Sweet and Sugar and Shears, a skincare and hair removal service located in Seattle and Kirkland, Washington. With over eight years of experience, Karina specializes in eyebrow shaping, a hair removal technique called sugaring, and organic facials. Karina started her career and was trained at Benefit Cosmetics Brow Bar. Since opening her own business, Karina ensures her clients are educated about their skin and helps them implement personalized skincare routines.

Karina Villalta

Certified Esthetician

Expert Answer

Try sugaring, where you heat sugar, lemon juice, and water, and use it like a wax to pull the hair out by the roots. Repeat this treatment every 2-3 weeks.
Question

I'm 11 years old and have armpit hair. How do I hide it without shaving or bleaching and not letting my parents know I have it?

Community Answer

It's perfectly normal to start getting armpit hair at 11. If you are embarrassed, your parents are the best ones to tell; they will not judge you and will actually help you! If you don't want to shave your armpits, you can try waxing them, although this will hurt. You can also tweeze them if you do not have a lot of hair yet.
Question

I'm 9; is this normal?

Community Answer

Totally normal. While puberty typically begins at age 10 for girls and 12 for boys, there are those like yourself who begin earlier, and others who will hit puberty later than the average.

Warnings

Always follow the packaging instructions when you're using a product on your skin. Leaving a product on too long or using it differently than it's intended can lead to severe irritation or even damage to your skin.

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