Cyperus rotundus oil vs. waxing, shaving and laser: the at-home oil that matched laser
Laser costs thousands and usually can't treat light or gray hair. Waxing hurts and never ends. Shaving is back by tomorrow. Bare Oil matched laser in a clinical study, for $29.99.
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- 100,000+Women worldwide trust nellaskin
- 4.9★Average rating
- 4Published clinical studies on its hero ingredient
- AllHair colors & skin types
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Cyperus rotundus oil wins on cost, pain, convenience and hair color. It was clinically proven to match an Alexandrite laser on underarm hair in a randomized study (no significant difference, P>.05; Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2014) and beat it on white hair. Laser runs into the thousands. Waxing is $40 to $90 a visit, forever. Bare Oil is $29.99 for about 60 days, used at home in 30 seconds after the hair removal you already do.
Side by side: every method compared
| Bare Oil | Laser | Waxing | Shaving | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slows regrowth over time | Yes, clinically studied | Yes | Partly | No |
| Blonde, red, white, gray hair | Yes, beat laser on white hair | Usually can't treat | Yes | Yes |
| Pain | None | Rubber-band snaps | Yes | Nicks, razor burn |
| Where / how long | Home, 30 seconds | Clinic, 4 to 8 sessions | Salon, every few weeks | Home, every 1 to 3 days |
| Soothes razor burn | Yes | No | No | Causes it |
| Side effects | None detected in the 2014 study | Possible blistering, redness, swelling, pigment changes, scarring | Redness, bumps | Razor bumps, ingrowns |
| Typical cost | $29.99 / 60 days | $2,000 to $5,000+ | $40 to $90 a visit | Ongoing blades |
Laser side effects and pain description: Canadian Dermatology Association. Light hair: UCSF Health. Laser cost: ASPS average fee × Mayo Clinic session count. Waxing: Wax & Smooth median salon prices, Oct 2026. Razor bumps: AAD.
It matched the laser. Then it beat it on white hair.
A randomized clinical study in Aesthetic Surgery Journal assigned 65 people with unwanted underarm hair to cyperus rotundus oil, saline or a GentleLase Alexandrite laser, and measured results by hair counts, independent professionals and self-assessment.
"Cyperus rotundus essential oil is as effective as the Alexandrite laser for decreasing the growth of axillary hair (both dark and white)."Study conclusion · Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2014 · PubMed 24408514
Laser can't treat light or gray hair. It targets pigment, so "white, blond or gray hair usually cannot be removed with laser hair removal" (UCSF Health). Cyperus rotundus oil doesn't need pigment. More: cyperus rotundus oil vs. laser hair removal.
Cyperus rotundus oil vs. waxing
Waxing pulls hair from the root, and it grows right back on schedule. You pay every time, it hurts every time, and the bumps follow. Bare Oil doesn't replace your wax. It makes every wax last longer. Freshly waxed skin is the perfect moment to apply it: removing hair from the root gives the oil the most direct access to the follicle, while aloe calms the redness.
$25 to $70
Median US salon prices, October 2026: underarm $25, bikini $45, Brazilian $66, leg $70 (Wax & Smooth index). Bare Oil: $29.99 for about 60 days.
Cyperus rotundus oil vs. shaving
Shaving cuts hair at the surface, so stubble is back in a day or two, and razor bumps come along for the ride (AAD). Shaving does nothing to slow regrowth. Bare Oil turns every shave into a step forward: it soothes razor burn on contact and, with daily use, regrowth comes back slower, finer and lighter.
The savings math
Save $2,600+
Laser: $697 average fee per session (ASPS 2023) × 4 to 8 sessions most people need (Mayo Clinic) ≈ $2,800 to $5,600, and fee is only part of the total price.
Bare Oil: 6 bottles × $29.99 ≈ $180 a year, or about $135 with Subscribe & Save.
You keep: roughly $2,600 to $5,400 compared with a laser course.
Savings vs. laser compare a year of Bare Oil with the cost of one laser course at the ASPS average fee. Your clinic's price may differ.
Your next wax appointment is already on the calendar
Start Bare Oil today and make it the last one that comes around so fast. Results compound with every application.
Which should you choose?
- Choose Bare Oil if…you have blonde, red or gray hair, want something painless, or don't want to spend thousands.
- Pair it with waxing if…you love the smooth finish but want longer gaps between appointments.
- Pair it with shaving if…you're tired of next-day stubble and razor burn.
- Use it with laser if…you're mid-course and want calmer skin between sessions.
How to switch in 30 seconds a day
- Remove hair your usual way one more time: shave, wax, sugar or epilate.
- Apply 3 to 5 drops of Bare Oil per area and massage until absorbed.
- Repeat morning and night, every day.
- Watch the gaps grow over 4 to 8 weeks. Follow the Bare Skin Protocol for area-by-area plans.
People are switching
★★★★★ Rated 4.9★ · trusted by 100,000+ women worldwide
From monthly laser appointments to every-3-weeks waxing, here's what verified buyers say changed once they added Bare Oil:
"I honestly bought this because I was tired of feeling like I was constantly waiting for my next laser appointment 😭 I've been using it consistently and the difference in my regrowth is actually crazy. It's coming in much slower and way less noticeable now. ... I used to be on a monthly laser schedule… now I'm stretching it wayyy longer 👀"
"Waxing every 3 weeks was actually getting ridiculous 😭 ... My skin is very sensitive, so I was prepared for the usual redness or irritation… but nope. ... the biggest difference has been the regrowth. My hair used to come back pretty quickly and thick, but now it's taking longer and coming back much finer and lighter. I went from booking every 3 weeks to basically forgetting I even need to wax sometimes 😭"
"... laser is out of my budget atm but kept seeing vids about this oil and it's worked incredible, my facial hair has thinned out so much and its slower to even come back i dont get that gray shadow anymore"
"I can wear tank tops now!!!!!! Me está dejando las axilas bellas"
"It has for sure made a huge difference leaves my skin instantly softer but the best part is not having to shave as often"
Reviews are from verified buyers on our Bare Oil product page (Judge.me), quoted word for word. Individual results vary.
See results: cyperus rotundus oil results · before and after.
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Cyperus rotundus oil vs. other methods: FAQ
Is cyperus rotundus oil as good as laser?
In a randomized clinical study in Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2014), topical cyperus rotundus oil and an Alexandrite laser showed no significant difference in reducing underarm hair (P>.05), and the oil was significantly better on white hair (P<.05). The authors concluded it is "as effective as the Alexandrite laser." (PubMed 24408514)
Why can't laser treat light or gray hair?
Laser targets melanin, the pigment in dark hair. White, blond and gray hair usually can't be removed with laser because there's no pigment for the laser to target (UCSF Health). Cyperus rotundus oil doesn't depend on pigment, and it beat laser on white hair in the 2014 study.
How much cheaper is cyperus rotundus oil than laser?
The average laser hair removal fee is $697 per session (ASPS, 2023), and most people need 4 to 8 sessions (Mayo Clinic). That's roughly $2,800 to $5,600. A year of Bare Oil (six 60-day bottles) is about $180 at $29.99, or about $135 with Subscribe & Save.
Can I keep waxing or shaving while I use it?
Yes. That's the point. Keep removing hair your usual way and apply Bare Oil right after, then twice a day. Each session lasts longer than the one before.
Can I use it between laser sessions?
Yes. A 153-person randomized trial found cyperus rotundus oil matched hydrocortisone for redness after laser hair removal and was favored for pain relief, and the authors called it "safe and cost-effective" (PubMed 34132024). Wait until skin has calmed, and ask your laser provider about timing.
Does it hurt?
No. It's an oil you massage in for 30 seconds. Compare that to waxing, or the rubber-band-snap feeling of laser that dermatologists describe.
Is it safe?
No side effects were detected in the 2014 laser study, and no adverse effects were found in the oil group of a 308-person 2022 trial. Bare Oil is gentle, fragrance-free, vegan, alcohol-free, paraben-free and sulfate-free. Patch test first and check with your doctor if you're pregnant, nursing or treated for a hormonal condition.
What if it doesn't work for me?
You're covered by our 30-day Smooth or It's Free guarantee, and Amazon orders include a 30-day refund or replacement.
References
- Mohammed GF. Topical Cyperus rotundus oil: a new therapeutic modality with comparable efficacy to Alexandrite laser photo-epilation. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2014;34(2):298-305. doi:10.1177/1090820X13518801 · PubMed 24408514
- Mohammed GF. The effectiveness of Cyperus rotundus essential oil in reducing the side effects of laser hair removal. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2022;21(4):1501-1505 (online 2021). PubMed 34132024
- Mohammed GF, Al-Dhubaibi MS, Mohamed ML. Genital whitening with topical Cyperus rotundus oil enhances sexuality and quality of life. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2022;21(10):4490-4502. PubMed 35290702
- UCSF Health. Laser hair removal. ucsfhealth.org
- Canadian Dermatology Association. Hair removal & reduction. dermatology.ca
- Mayo Clinic. Laser hair removal. mayoclinic.org
- American Academy of Dermatology. Laser hair removal FAQs. aad.org
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Laser hair removal cost (2023 statistics). plasticsurgery.org
- Wax & Smooth. Waxing Studio Price Index, October 2026 (166 US studios). waxandsmooth.com
- American Academy of Dermatology. Razor bumps: how to get rid of them. aad.org
Published by nellaskin, the maker of Bare Oil. The clinical studies cited tested topical cyperus rotundus essential oil, the hero ingredient in Bare Oil. Individual results vary with hair type and consistency of use. Not medical advice; talk to a dermatologist or physician about unwanted hair related to a medical condition.
More cyperus rotundus oil guides
- How to use cyperus rotundus oil: step-by-step routine
- Does cyperus rotundus oil stop hair growth? Inhibitor vs hair removal
- Cyperus rotundus oil 90-day results timeline
- Cyperus rotundus oil before and after photos
- Cyperus rotundus oil for facial hair: chin hairs, peach fuzz and upper lip
- Cyperus rotundus oil for the bikini line
- Hair removal aftercare: what to put on skin after waxing, shaving and laser
- Cyperus rotundus oil ingredients and what each one does
- Nagarmotha oil and nut grass oil: the same plant as cyperus rotundus
- Cyperus rotundus oil for hair removal at home: routine, results and alternatives
- Pure cyperus rotundus oil vs blended: what to look for on the label
- Buy cyperus rotundus oil: price, shipping and guarantee
Bare Oil: matched laser in a clinical study, for $29.9930-day Smooth or It's Free · Ships from Amazon · $29.99