Razor burn. Ingrown hairs. Those ouchy little nicks you get on your kneecaps. Does hair removal have to be such medieval torture?

Lucky for our legs, underarms, and, well, elsewhere, the answer is no. Here's our guide to getting better results with shaving and alternative hair removal, with help from industry experts Cindy Barshop, owner of Completely Bare Spas, Janette Barredo, brand manager for The Art of Shaving and Kristina Vanoosthuyze, senior scientist for Procter and Gamble.

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LEGS 101
Step 1: For maximum smoothness, exfoliate the day before (try Kiehl's Gently Exfoliating Body Scrub, $25). Otherwise dead cells keep your razor from gliding smoothly.

Step 2: Relax in the shower/bath for three minutes to hydrate skin and soften hairs.

Step 3: Always apply shaving cream (never razor-clogging soap). Try Lippmann Collection Did I Shave My Legs for This?, $24(pictured here).

Step 4: Use long strokes and gentle pressure with your sharp razor (replace every five shaves), "like you're mowing a lawn," says Barredo, who recommends stretching the kneecap skin to remove every single hair from that tricky area.

Step 5: Post-shower, apply lotion containing shea butter for deep moisture and chamomile and calendula to soothe (try FC5 by Arbonne Conditioning Body Moisture, $23). This ensures a close shave next time.

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UNDERARMS 101
General Advice: Always use a women's razor, which pivots to fit a woman's body and thus catches every hair (try Gillette Venus Embrace, $12.99, pictured here).

Step 1: Three minutes into your shower, apply shaving cream (try The Art of Shaving Cream Pump, $30) for lubrication.

Step 2: Gently glide the razor "up, across and down to get every hair," explains Vanoosthuyze. "Hair grows in different directions here." Pulling on the razor equals razor burn, so go softly. Always use a fresh blade that has been stored in a dry area.

Step 3: Still get irritation? Apply pre-shave oil like eShave Pre Shave Oil, $19 or olive oil before shaving cream for more protection.

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BIKINI LINE 101
Step 1: Coarse hair is harder to remove. To start, trim hair to a half-inch. Or use a trimmer like the Schick Quattro for Women TrimStyle, $10.99, pictured.

Step 2: Prone to razor burn or ingrowns? Apply pre-shave oil or olive oil three minutes into your shower.

Step 3: Apply shaving cream generously (try Aveeno Positively Smooth Shave Gel, $3.99). On the first pass, pull skin taut and gently shave in the direction the direction of hair growth.

Step 4: Reapply shaving cream and shave again, this time against the hair growth.

Step 5: Post-shower, apply fragrance-free, soothing moisturizer with aloe or chamomile (try St. Ives Intensive Healing Advanced Therapy Lotion, $5.79) to fight ingrown hairs.

Step 6: If you still get ingrowns, use an exfoliating treatment like Tend Skin, $29 to help the hair break through the skin. Don't tweeze or pick. Once hair breaks through the skin, "shave it off so it grows correctly," says Barredo.

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DEPILATORIES 101
The deal: Chemical creams such as Sally Hansen Naturally Bare Creme Hair Remover for Body, $8 and Bikini Zone Creme Hair Removal, $6.49 weaken hair so you can wipe it away.

The bonus: Delivers a longer period of smoothness than shaving, since hair is removed slightly below the skin's surface.

Best for: Fine hair and less sensitive areas like the arms and legs.

Avoid if: You're sensitive-skinned or coarse-haired (waxing or shaving will net better results).

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PRO WAXING 101
The deal: Wax is applied to skin and removed with a cloth strip or by pulling the dried wax strip. Tip: Go to a waxing specialist who wears gloves and doesn't double dip sticks in the wax tub, and one where "they take longer, about 30 minutes, to do your wax -- it won't hurt as much," says Barshop.

The bonus: Three weeks of smoothness, since it pulls out the root.

Best for: Dark, coarse hair and those who get stubble or shadow immediately after shaving.

Avoid if: You can't stand any stubble, since you need a quarter to a half inch of hair in order to get a good wax. Also prepare for moderate pain when the wax is pulled off. Finally, the expense -- $30 to $60 average per month.

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HOME WAXING 101
The deal: Use a kit like Sally Hansen Extra Strength Allover Body Wax Hair Removal Kit, $10.69, pictured here. If you've never done it before, step-by-step video from Completely Bare Spas for guidance.

The bonus: Inexpensive, convenient.

Best for: Fine to medium hair growth.

Avoid if: "Leave Brazilian waxes to a specialist," says Barshop. Also, coarse or thick hair needs pro waxing.

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LASER HAIR REMOVAL 101
The deal: Intense pulses of laser light target the hair's melanin and kill the follicle with heat. You'll need six to eight sessions ($200-$350 a pop). Note that it doesn't get rid of all your hair in the lasered area.

The bonus: Can completely eliminate ingrowns and reduces overall hair growth. Plus you can shave between sessions.

Best for: Those whose everyday life is affected by hair. "If you won't go on a date or go to the beach because you have hair growth, consider laser," Barshop says.

Avoid if: Your hair is lighter than your skin color, because the laser can't discern your hair from your skin. Also, consider your pain threshold; if waxing tortures you, laser will be more intense.

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GROWTH INHIBITORS 101
The deal: "Shave-minimizing lotions" claim to slow growth so you shave less often. Some use botanical/plant extracts ( Bliss Get Out of Hair!, $35(pictured) and Completely Bare Completely Smooth, $42). Others use soy (Aveeno Positively Smooth Moisturizing Lotion, $7.99).

The bonus: They moisturize, which is key to a close shave, something Barredo, Vanoosthuyze, and Barshop all agree on. And many exfoliate with willow bark, which can prevent ingrowns.

Best for: Reluctant shavers.

Avoid if: You're not a gambler, as many experts and consumers are skeptical of these creams' effectiveness. But since moisturized skin equals closer-shaved skin, they can't hurt.

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HOT NEW SHAVING GADGETS
A few newbies that have everyone buzzing...

Sun Maita Threader Kit, $150 (pictured) is an at-home threader best used on face and underarms.
TRIA Personal Hair Removal System, $795 is the first FDA-approved at-home laser. For use only on light to medium skin tones with medium to dark hair.
The Art of Shaving After-Shave Mask, $50 is a soothing three-minute clay mask to prevent razor burn, ingrown hairs and irritation. In convenient single-use vials.

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How bad is a Brazilian, really? We polled real women about their most common hair removal tortures. And it turns out that pain lies in even the simplest defuzzing tactics - over 84% of women have had razor burn! Find out what hurt the worst, and how to avoid the same mistakes. Then quiz yourself to discover your best hair removal strategy.

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84% have had razor burn

It usually happens around the bikini area and thighs. Although skin sensitivity plays a factor, many admit to using a "dull blade" without "water or soap" in the worst cases. That's why it's so important to change blades often, use a soothing shaving lotion (like Gigi Brazilian Shave Gel, $6.95) and apply a toner. Try Kiehl's Simply Mahvelous Legs After-shave Lotion, $20.

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61% have had ingrown hairs

According to the ladies we polled, this problem seems to target the bikini area, and although it only happens "occasionally" for some, it's a chronic problem for others. ("My waxer tells me she feels sorry for me," said one.) Treat and prevent ingrown hairs by exfoliating the area before and after waxing and shaving, says Kerry Nicole, owner of Wax Poetic Salon in Burbank, Calif. Or use a product that thwarts ingrown hairs, like The Art of Shaving Ingrown Hair Night Cream, $30.

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42% have had raw skin, scabbing or extreme redness

Inexperienced technicians are the major culprit. "An aesthetician ripped my skin during a Brazilian," says one respondent. "I had trouble sitting for a week." Always get a referral when choosing a new wax technician and expect mild redness for a few hours after treatment. And don't even bother trying to cover redness if you own one of these 9 worst-rated concealers.

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26% have had wax burns

Although it's not as common, a quarter of those polled have been burned by too-hot wax. "I have a little scar under my brow thanks to a new waxer," says one. The only way to avoid injury? Find a salon that uses low-temperature wax, says Cindy Barshop, founder of Completely Bare Spa. Cirepil, Completely Bare, Aveda and Moujan are just a few salons that use low-temperature wax.

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23% have had a bad brow shaping

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but your brows are in the hands of your aesthetician. "Choose wisely," say polled women who have suffered botched brow jobs. "I went to a cheap-y place," explains one. "She took half of one brow off and it never grew back." Get a recommendation from someone with great brows, even if it means stopping a stranger on the street. And check out these bad celebrity eyebrow makeovers for solace.

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19 percent have had nicks, scrapes or deep cuts

"Slipping in the shower" is the cause of this occasional mishap. But when it happens, results are bloody: "The tub looked like that scene in 'Godfather 2,'" laments one member. Take your time when shaving and always use a clean blade. Stop bleeding in a flash with No Nix Astringent Styptic Pencil, $6.53.

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10% have had chemical depilatory burns or rashes

While those experiencing chemical burns acknowledge fault ("I left it on too long [and] it burned my skin and took weeks to heal," says one), many people have allergic reactions to depilatory creams, says Miami-based dermatologist Dr. Heather Woolery-Lloyd. "Always do a patch test."

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6% have had hair re-growth after laser hair removal

Only 16 percent of those polled had attempted laser hair removal (find out if you're a good candidate with this hair removal quiz), and a small percentage had found hair re-growth frustrating. "It lasted about six months," said one member. Another experienced a rare side effect: "hair growth where there was no hair before." Several factors, including hair color, texture and hormonal changes (such as menopause) can affect the success of laser treatments, says New York-based dermatologist Dr. Jody A. Levine. Always consult a doctor first: "I discourage anyone from laser whom I believe will not respond," she says.

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3 Products to try...

Here are some of the highest-rated hair removal products on TotalBeauty.com, guaranteed to make you a happy camper:

Bliss Ingrown Eliminator Peeling Pads, $38, pictured


Aveeno Ultra Calming Shave Gel, $4.15


The Body Shop For Men Shave Cream, $13.50

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