How to Wax Your Armpits Without Irritation, According to a Dermatologist

I'm a hairless open book, and I've tried everything from epilating to threading. In-office laser treatments keep my legs and bikini line smooth and stubble-free, but I've long struggled with keeping my pits in pristine condition. My thick, dark hair quickly sprouts ingrown hairs and requires near-daily upkeep. But I recently learned how to wax my armpits and was genuinely shocked to find out it's so much easier than I anticipated.

Unlike at-home laser hair removal devices, which are permanent yet pricy, or shaving, which offers only days-long results, at-home waxing is a bit like the Goldilocks of DIY hair removal. Using a wax strip or kit to remove hair from the underarm area offers a weeks-long hair removal solution at an affordable budget.

Before going to town on my pits, I decided to gather all the proper information. I wanted to know the best products, how to prep my skin, and other tips or tricks for getting a smooth, stubble-free finish. Ahead, dermatologists break down everything to know about how to wax armpits at home. (If you're still unsure about which method is best for you, check out Marie Claire's guide on the differences between waxing and shaving and the best at-home waxing kits.)

Is Waxing Armpits at Home Safe?

Let's start with the good news: Yes, waxing your armpits at home is generally safe. Double board-certified dermatologist Karan Lal, M.D. FAAD even says the underarm area is "a great place to start" your at-home waxing journey because it's not as sensitive as, say, the face or bikini line. The key to having the least irritating outcome is proper preparation and technique (more on that below!), according to board-certified dermatologist Teresa Song, M.D. FAAD.

The main side effects you may encounter include skin irritation, burns, and redness, says double board-certified dermatologist Purvisha Patel, M.D. FAAD. To minimize those risks, avoid going over the same area multiple times and spot-testing your chosen product before application.

That being said, if you have skin conditions like hidradenitis suppurativa or recurrent ingrown hairs, Dr. Lal suggests checking with your dermatologist before you consider waxing any part of your body at home. (As always, we recommend talking to a dermatologist before making any hair removal or skincare decision, as they can recommend the best products for you specifically.)

How Long Should Armpit Hair Be to Wax?

How long should your hair be before you wax? "One-fourth to three-fourth inches is the sweet spot," Dr. Lal says. For a visual: that equates to roughly the length of a grain of rice. If the hair is shorter than that, the wax strips won't be able to grab hold of the strands to remove them from the follicle properly. If the hair is longer, you run the risk of having the hair break off mid-shaft, which will leave you with an unwanted stubbly feel.

How to Wax Your Armpits at Home

Prepare Your Skin

I love self-tanner as much as the next beauty editor, but Dr. Lal says to avoid self-tanning before waxing; it can leave you with unnatural color patches and irritation. He also says you shouldn't shave before you wax your armpits, "as this can make it harder for the wax to pull the hairs." Instead, gently exfoliate the armpit area around two to three days before waxing to remove dead skin and prevent ingrown hairs, says Dr. Song.

Wash and Prep the Area Before You Start

Before grabbing your wax, make sure to cleanse the armpit area. Use an antibacterial soap to remove dirt, sweat, and other grime for the cleanest, easiest wax. You also want to ensure your hair is the correct length, so trim the area accordingly.

Apply the Wax Strips

Make sure you've selected one of the best at-home wax strips or wax kits (Marie Claire diligently reviewed the best options on the market). Then, apply the wax or strips onto the hair in the direction of growth, Dr. Lal suggests. Firmly smoothing the strip with your hand will guarantee the cleanest application and removal.

Remove the Strip

Now comes the not-so-fun part. Pull the strip in one fluid motion while keeping the skin taught with your non-dominant. Dr. Lal says you should pull the strip parallel to the skin rather than directly up for best results. It shouldn't feel incredibly painful, but you can expect a hint of discomfort.

The Best At-Home Waxing Kits

How to Care for Skin After an Armpit Wax

Immediately after waxing, the skin will likely be sensitive and irritated. Don't panic. Instead, Dr. Song suggests applying a gentle, hydrating product with soothing ingredients like aloe or glycerin.

Dr. Lal warns against using any products that may cause inflammation or redness. "Do not use any antiperspirants or alcohol-based products right after, as these can irritate your thin skin in this area," Dr. Lal says. Steer clear of topical exfoliation, fragranced moisturizers, or deodorants for at least 24 hours.

How Long Does an Armpit Wax Last?

Results will vary depending on how fast your hair typically grows, if you were able to grab hair from the root, and how even your wax was. That being said, Dr. Song explains that an underarm wax typically lasts anywhere between four to six week.

Why Trust Marie Claire?

Danielle Cohen is a freelance beauty writer, editor, and consultant with years of experience writing about skincare and the beauty industry. She and the Marie Claire team tapped three dermatologists to share everything you need to know about waxing armpits from home as well as their favorite at-home kits. She reviewed their picks as well as top-reviewed options online to find the best the internet has to offer.

When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product we feature is recommended by a Marie Claire writer, editor, or an expert we've spoken to. Learn more about how we review products.

Meet The Experts

Dr. Karan Lal

Originally from New York City, he grew up in Queens and attended Hunter Science High School in Manhattan. He graduated summa cum laude from the New York Institute of Technology, where he completed a rigorous seven-year accelerated combined medical program. He was selected to be an academic medical scholar, during which he received a Master of Science in neuroscience and a scholarship for three years of medical school and graduate training. He was elected to the Sigma Sigma Phi and Psi Sigma Alpha medical honor societies. He completed his internal medicine internship at the University of Connecticut Medical Center where he was elected intern of the year. He completed a three-year dermatology residency at the University of Massachusetts, where he was elected chief resident. He continued at the University of Massachusetts to complete a pediatric dermatology fellowship, where he gained an interest in vascular anomalies, pediatric laser, and dermatologic surgery of pediatric patients. Dr. Lal specializes in pediatric and adult dermatology, laser surgery, soft tissue filler augmentation, body sculpting, melanocyte keratinocyte transplant surgery for vitiligo and hypopigmentation, pigmentary abnormalities of the skin and enjoys treating patients from birth onwards. He is an expert in atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, melasma, psoriasis, and hidradenitis and has worked in specialty clinics among experts. He is the only board-certified pediatric and fellowship-trained cosmetic dermatologist in the country.

Dr. Teresa Song

Dr. Teresa Song is a board-certified dermatologist with a clinical interest in both general and cosmetic dermatology. Aside from managing complex medical dermatology, she also has expertise in a wide array of aesthetic procedures including neuromodulators, fillers, platelet-rich plasma, laser devices, radiofrequency microneedling, chemical peels, body contouring, and more. Her clinical passion includes biostimulatory procedures that enhance and boost the patient’s own natural reserves, as well as inflammatory skin disorders such as eczema and alopecia. Dr. Song also enjoys managing pediatric skin conditions and serves as a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital Dermatology residency.

Dr. Purvisha Patel

Born in London, Dr. Patel was raised in Wales (United Kingdom) and Virginia. She completed her undergraduate and medical school studies at the University of Virginia. She completed her dermatology training at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis. During residency, Dr. Patel discovered her passion for treating skin cancer and anti-aging and went on to complete a surgical fellowship under the tutelage of Dr. Michael McCall at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. Dr. Patel is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology and is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. She is also a board certified fellow of the American College of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology and serves as a clinical professor of the University of Tennessee Department of Dermatology as well as Dermatology director of Dermatology with Baptist Hospital residency programs. Dr Patel’s expertise in skin and skincare is also seen as she formulated and patented the Visha Skincare line when she saw that her products were working on patients of all ages, genders and skin types. Given her vast knowledge of skin and aging, Dr Patel has incorporated additional treatments to her care armamentarium that includes IV infusion therapy, hormone replacement and sexual wellness treatments to help with wellness and longevity.