A hair removal device using, or for use in combination with, a wax-strip configured to remove hair from skin. The device includes: a user holding member including a housing or chassis having a wax-strip removal mechanism actuator, the housing having a bottom surface configured for engaging with the skin; a wax-strip engagement mechanism for removable engagement with the wax-strip; a wax-strip removal mechanism including a wax-strip removal acceleration arrangement; and a wax-strip pressing mechanism. The wax-strip pressing mechanism presses the wax-strip to the user's skin by way of a pressing member and also distances the pressing member from the skin during operation of the device, to help mitigate shear and/or rubbing on the skin.