WAX I wax my legs, starting a couple of months before shorts weather. By summer the hairs are so fine and sparse that I could go all summer with out shaving my underarms or legs. Never done the bikini area. Waxing doesn' hurt as much as plucking eyebrows. Get it done professionally the first time and then do it yourself. The sugarwax, available at drugstores and grocery stores, is the most effective and very reasonable priced.

Here's my 3 cents, for whatever it's worth: got a bikini wax a few years ago, just prior to summer....have been getting them every 5-6 weeks since...same day as my facial. I really can't understand why any woman would not have this done. Yes, it stings momentarily, but so what? So does plucking eyebrows. And I too, shave my legs every day - can't STAND the stubbles at night, as I sleep on my side with legs on top of each other.
However, I DO have a rather strange question regarding leg shaving: after watching "Queer Eye"'s Kyan go ballistic when men shave "against the grain" - should we shave our legs from top down? Cuz, honey's I shave from ankle up! Have I been doing this wrong for the past - well, we just won't say how many years!

Wax for sure ... if your lucky you may even get some permanent hair free spots. I have large sections of calf that never grew hair again after a few wax sessions. I find if I let it grow for an extra few days before waxing it lasts longer. The first salon I ever had a wax at recommended it ... said the hair grows in 2 or 3 cycles and you want to make sure all the cycles have grown out at least a little from the last shave so they all get gripped by the wax and pulled out out. Don't know if that is at all true but it does seem to last longer if I let it get grow a bit before hand. As for pain its not that bad ... not even the bikini part and well worth it for no bumpy red spots.

I must be doing something wrong, because even with waxing I get red bumpy spots. Painful and frustrating! Maybe I should try a professional at my day spa 'cause I clearly don't know what I'm doing.

Laser hair removal is the way to go for the bikini area! I had five treatments, each one two months apart. The last one was more than a year ago and there has been very, very little regrowth. Each treatment was $100. Expensive, but so is waxing if you do it every 5 weeks as some have posted. The discomfort was minimal.

Anyone know if this topic has been discussed on the Euro board, and specifically how French men think about hairy French women?
I once read that the average French woman changes underwear 3 times per week.
Now THAT really disgusts me.

If God meant for us to wax our bodies, we would have been born with linoleum for skin.

Everyone has different pain thresholds, and different hair. My friend's aunt is an electrolycist, and it's putting her out of business. Electrolysis can be just as painful as laser and it can take longer to kill the follicle.

Some women experience horrible ingrowns with waxing, some with shaving. There is no perfect solution for all people.

That said, I opted for taking 3 ibuprofen and a shot of vodka (bad for my liver, I know) before heading off to the wax salon, something I did 3 days before the trip to the beach. Worked for me.

the it's should read Laser removal...

A brazilian wax can do wonders for your sex life.

I get sick of shaving my legs everyday...therefore ....i don't! To heck with it...when i think i need to go somewhere with shorts then i shave more otherwise...let'em grow...lol.

Been there and done it all! I am all about the laser. Great results and fast! Prices have dropped considerably since it first hit the market. It gets less painful as you get less hair folicles. It definitely gets your attention, but not umbearable. I usually bring a little squeeze ball for my sweaty palms.

Go for it!

Just thought I'd post an update since I started this discussion . . .
Went in for laser hair removal (bikini) in May, have had my second session (two weeks ago) and so far I'm very pleased. The place I'm going offers free "touch ups" two weeks after each session in case hairs were missed, which has helped. They recommend three to six sessions, spaced 2-3 months apart to allow for new growth cycles. I have very fair skin and dark hair, so I'm a great candidate and I'm hoping I'll be complete DONE with only one more session.

As for pain, I was expecting it to be pretty painful, so during my first session I was pleasantly surprised -- until that laser moved into some more sensitive spots, then it was like "HEY! YOWZA!" It's an odd feeling because the pain is focused in a tiny spot, but it's intense. However, it's definitely worth it. I was red for an hour or so afterwards, but that's it. At my second session, the technician cranked up the laser three more points, which hurt a bit more but is better for ensuring hair removal.

I have two "bathing suit trips" within the next two months and I'm looking forward to more.

I'm so jealous... I've considered having it done but I can't bring myself to spend the money. I'd rather take a vacation instead!

thanks for the laser report! May I ask the approximate cost?
thanks!

As for cost, I did my first session during a 1/2 off summer "bikini line" special. Total cost was $99. Second session was full price, $198. There is a fall special (two sessions for one) starting in October so I'll schedule my next session around that. Since you wait 2-3 months between sessions, it's easier to set aside money each week to save up. It's not impacting my travel savings; instead, I make more lunches, don't buy lattes, etc. etc.