The majority of women in the UK remove the hair on their legs on a regular basis using a variety of methods but what are the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques?

Shaving is probably the simplest method and is used by many women. Some prefer to use a razor and shaving foam in the bath or shower whilst others prefer an electric razor. The advantages are that it is quick and easy, but the disadvantages are that it is easy to cut yourself whilst shaving and the hair grows back quickly. Depilatory creams are similar to shaving in that they remove hair at the surface of the skin, but they may not be suitable if your skin is sensitive.

Some women use an epilator that plucks the hair out using a rotating head. Although painful initially, as the hair grows back at different paces subsequent sessions are not as painful and the amount of hair that grows back is reduced.

A new trend in hair removal works by using intense pulsed light or IPL on the legs. The unit sends a pulse of light down the hair follicle disabling hair growth. This method is now much faster than it used to be but is better used for facial or underarm hair.