Hair Removal 123

When it comes to the subject of hair removal, both men and women who are concerned with the process will often come up with the “Big Three” methods- the methods that are the most popular through use, popular culture, or general informational abundance. There are other ways beyond shaving, waxing , and laser treatment to remove or minimize unwanted hairs, both permanently and temporarily. Some of these treatments are discussed below.

Tweezing: Tweezing is the common form of plucking, and it is used for the temporary removal of hairs in certain areas. It is much more intricate form of hair removal, perfect for smaller areas and the sculpting of individual masses of hair such as moustaches, beards, eyebrows, and chests. It is also perfect for harder areas to access, such as the nostrils and ears. All the equipment you need for tweezing is a pair of tweezers, so it is a very inexpensive way to go. There are a few downsides to this method, however. Tweezing is a very time-consuming process, depending on the area you are working on. Because you are plucking out individual hairs, tweezing also involves a certain amount of repetitive pain.

Depilatory Creams and Lotions: Depilatory creams and lotions are another convenient form of hair removal, as they can be purchased in many stores and the process can be carried out at home. Depilatory creams work by application of the cream to hair. The high pH levels burn away the hair and leave the skin underneath smooth. Depilatory creams and lotions are temporary, although they will last longer than the tweezing method. They will also not leave the red marks that tweezing will, although it is recommended that you do a sample test on a patch of skin that is not highly visible before you use the cream, especially for people with sensitive skin. Depilatories can be messy and sometimes even quite smelly. Some come with a chemical that also helps to impede hair growth.

Electrolysis: Electrolysis has the longest history in terms of permanent methods of hair removal, with over a century of proven results. As with any involved procedure, if you opt for electrolysis, you should make sure and properly screen the company with whom you choose to proceed. If the practitioners in the company are properly trained and experienced, the results will be a perfect- permanent removal with no side effects to the skin. The description of the process is barbaric- a small probe is inserted into a hair follicle (NOT through the skin) and electricity is sent through the follicle, damaging the growth mechanisms of the hair but not the surrounding skin. As with many hair operations, electrolysis is not always effective in 100% of patients. It can also be a very long process, as each follicle must be treated individually. It may not be the best option for a large area of growth.