Most hair-removal methods--shaving, waxing, sugaring, depilatory creams, tweezing and epilators--are temporary and need to be repeated every few days or few weeks. However, there are a few more permanent methods of hair removal or hair reduction; these require multiple treatments over a period of time because they are only effective at certain hair growth stages, and not all hairs are in the same stage of growth at the same time. It is also common to have follow-up treatments once or twice a year after the initial treatment course.
Electrolysis
Electrolysis is usually considered to be the only permanent hair removal method. Galvanic electrolysis uses a direct current to cause a chemical reaction that turns the saline in the tissue to lye, which then destroys the hair bulb. This process is time consuming since it only targets one hair follicle at a time, and it is considered to be painful by many people.
Thermolysis, another type of electrolysis, use an alternating current that generates heat which destroys the hair bulb. Sometimes it is used in conjunction with regular galvanic electrolysis.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser hair removal destroys hair follicles using heat generated by a laser. The laser targets hair based on the contrast in color of the hair and skin, so it works best for people with dark hair and light skin, although there are lasers that can get results for those with light hair or dark skin. The FDA only allows this to be called permanent hair "reduction" rather than "removal." However, this method can be used to treat larger areas of the body with less pain than electrolysis, since it doesn't target only one hair at a time.
Intense Pulsed Light
Intense pulsed light is similar to laser hair removal, but it uses a broader range of wavelengths, making the treatment less intense and more suitable for those who have sensitive skin.
Ultrasound
The latest breakthrough in permanent hair removal involves ultrasound technology. As of 2010, there is one company marketing this technology, which has been approved in Europe. According to an article in the journal "Cosmetic Dermatology," ultrasound hair removal is less painful than lasers, and can be used on people with any skin and hair color.
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