Having a smooth, hair-free body can take a lot of effort and commitment. Some areas of the body, such as the legs, underarms or face, have standard hair removal techniques. Unfortunately, Mother Nature does not confine hair to the most convenient areas, and you may notice hairs sprouting around your nipples. Due to the sensitive area, the hair removal methods need to be gentler.

In order for nipple hair removal to be as pain-free as possible, carefully prep the area beforehand. Hot water will soften the hair and expand the follicles, making the hair more likely to come out smoothly and evenly. If you try to remove nipple hair while the area is dry, the hair will be stiffer and more firmly attached to the follicle. One of the simplest ways to ensure the area is wet enough is to wait to remove the hair until after you’ve taken a shower or a bath. You can also apply a warm, damp washcloth to your nipples for about two to three minutes. Make sure your nipples aren’t soaking wet or else it will be more difficult to precisely remove the hair without slipping.

Tweezing is an at-home hair removal method that tends to work best for small areas of stray hairs. If your nipple hair is thin and fine, tweezing is the quickest, most affordable option. It is also the most private, and you don’t need to have a special technique. Do not use a razor to shave the hair because you could accidentally cut your nipple and cause an infection. Before you start tweezing, dip your tweezers in rubbing alcohol or another disinfectant solution. If you use tweezers that are contaminated with bacteria, it could result in an infection around your nipples. For the best results, work with one hair at a time. Grip a nipple hair between the end of your tweezers and pull it in one quick motion. If possible, remove the hair in the same direction it grows rather than pulling it backward. You’ll be more likely to remove the entire hair instead of breaking it off at the end. Nipple hair doesn’t grow as fast as other body hair, so the results should last for about three weeks to one month.

If you have thick patches of coarse hair around your nipples, consult a professional aesthetician to wax it off. She will apply hot or cold wax to the area and use a cloth strip to remove the hair by the roots. With a sensitive area like the nipple, it is safer to have a professional do the waxing. At-home waxing kits are available, but they work best for arms or legs. You won’t be able to position the wax or strip correctly around your nipple due to the awkward angle, plus you could accidentally burn the sensitive tissue with hot wax. If the nipple hair continues to grow in even thicker and darker, contact your doctor to see if you have an underlying medical issue, such as a hormone imbalance.