Depilation lasting several hours to several days can be achieved by:

• Shaving or trimming (manually or with electric shavers)
• Depilatories (creams or "shaving powders" which chemically dissolve hair)
• Friction (rough surfaces used to buff away hair)

Chemical depilatories eliminate part of the hair shaft and are easy and painless to use. The typical chemical depilatory agents, available in gels, creams, lotions, aerosols, or roll-on forms. Thioglycolate depilatories work by hydrolyzing and disrupting disulfide bonds of hair keratin, causing the hair to break in half and allowing the hair to separate from the skin. Depilatories are good for use on the legs, bikini line, face, and underarms, and they perform best when hair is at a reasonable length. Before using a depilatory, carefully read the manufacturer's instructions. Test it on a little part of your arms before use to assess for irritation or allergic reactions. Do not use these agents on eyebrows, near mucous membranes, or on broken skin.

Adverse effects include: skin irritation, burns, folliculitis, ingrown hairs, and allergic contact dermatitis to either thioglycolate or fragrances.